ART AND DESIGN

ART AND DESIGN A LEVEL

Exam Board: AQA Head of Department: Iain Young BA (Falmouth) MA, PG Dip (Winchester) PGCE Members of Department: Emma Green BA (Reading College) GTP Georgina Bouzyk BA (Aberystwyth) PGCE

Are you right for the course?

You will need a 6 or above at GCSE. However, students not meeting this may be granted access to the A Level course at the discretion of the Head of Art. You also need to be dedicated, creative and able.

Art offers a distinctive way of learning; where seeing, thinking and making are combined in a powerful form of visual and tactile communication. Students are encouraged to be creative, to enquire and question, and to make connections with the work of others.

What does the course consist of?

The course follows the unendorsed AQA specification. This enables students to explore a range of two and three-dimensional approaches to their studies. The disciplines associated with this course, among others, are drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and photography. However the nature of the course allows it to be adapted to suit students’ requirements, especially at A Level.

Level Component Component Contents Time % of A2

A Level

Component 1: Personal Investigation Practical project and 1,000-3,000 essay No time limit 60%

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment Preparatory period and 15 hour exam 15 hours 40%

What does it offer?

Students have the opportunity to identify, discuss and resolve visual problems. They will manipulate materials, processes and technologies, responding, experimenting and adapting their thinking to arrive at different solutions. Students develop knowledge and understanding of, and respect for, the achievements of artists, craftspeople and designers from different cultures past and present. This informs and enables the development of their creative practice.

Where will it lead you?

Possible career options include: advertising, architecture, illustration, animation, game design, graphics, film and television, fashion, textiles and all other creative forms of design. It also opens the door to careers in the art world, including gallery work, auction houses, art criticism, restoration and museums. Art is seen as equal in academic status to all other subjects by universities and can lend an application a distinctive edge. Careers advice and portfolio preparation for further and higher education courses are available to all students.