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Sixth Form

ART, CRAFT AND DESIGN – A LEVEL

A LEVEL · ART, CRAFT AND DESIGN

Explore widely. Develop your own creative identity.

A flexible creative course combining fine art, photography, textiles and other design disciplines, with the freedom to shape projects around your interests.
QUALIFICATION
A Level		 EXAM BOARD
AQA		 DURATION
Two years		 ASSESSMENT
100% non-exam assessment

One broad course, many possible specialisms

This course replaces the separate Fine Art and Textile Design A levels. Rather than choosing one fixed pathway at the outset, students can work across creative disciplines and make their preferred area the main focus of their portfolio.

AQA requires the Personal Investigation to show work drawn from at least two endorsed areas. Within that broad framework, each student can specialise, combine media and develop a highly individual body of work.

Creative areas you could explore

Fine art
Drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media and installation.
Photography
Portraiture, documentary, experimental imagery, moving image and digital practice.
Textile design
Fashion, printed and dyed materials, constructed textiles and textile art.
Graphic communication
Illustration, branding, design for print, digital media and motion graphics.
Three-dimensional design
Ceramics, product design, jewellery, interiors, architecture and 3D digital design.
Interdisciplinary practice
Combine processes and materials where this best supports your personal ideas.

Entry requirements

Standard PH6 entry requirements: at least five GCSEs at grades 9–5, including English and Mathematics.

Course-specific requirement
Grade 5 or above in GCSE Art, Art & Design, Photography, Textiles or another relevant creative subject. Applicants without a relevant GCSE may be considered through a portfolio discussion.

This course suits you if…

  • you want creative freedom rather than being restricted to one discipline
  • you enjoy experimenting with materials, images, processes and ideas
  • you are prepared to work independently and develop projects over time
  • you want to build a distinctive portfolio for university, an art foundation course or employment.

What you will develop

Ideas and personal direction
Investigate themes that matter to you and develop sustained, independent lines of enquiry.		 Materials and techniques
Experiment confidently with traditional and contemporary media, processes and technologies.
Critical understanding
Research artists, photographers, designers and craftspeople, connecting their work to your own practice.		 A resolved portfolio
Refine ideas from initial investigation through experimentation to ambitious final outcomes.

How you will be assessed

Component Assessment Weighting
Component 1
Personal Investigation		 A sustained practical investigation with related written material of 1,000–3,000 words 60%
Component 2
Externally Set Assignment		 Preparatory period followed by 15 hours of supervised time 40%

Both components are marked by the school and moderated by AQA. There is no written examination.

Where Art, Craft and Design can take you

The course supports progression to art foundation programmes, university and creative apprenticeships. Its flexible structure is particularly valuable for students building a portfolio around a chosen specialism.

Fine art   Photography   Fashion & textiles   Graphic design   Architecture   Film & media   Creative industries

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