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Art, Craft and Design

Art at Aquinas is an exciting and challenging subject that encourages students to be creative and show a more personal understanding of Art, Craft and Design. The aim of this course is to promote a broad-based learning experience across a range of media exploring and developing ideas and themes to work towards final responses.

Qualifications & Assessments

Exam Board AQA
Level Level 3
Qualification A Level
Assessment Method 100% Non-Examined Work
Entry Requirements Entry Requirements
Photograph of an Art and Design student working on an art project

Year 1 – Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

In the first year of the course students will develop the skills needed to successfully tackle year 2 work. They will gain experience of working in a variety of Art, Craft and Design media including Drawing; Printmaking; Mixed media; Painting; & Art based Textiles. Students will respond to a range of themes throughout the year.

Year 2 – Progression and Formal Assessment

Building on skills learnt in the first year through two assessed projects:

  • Component 1: Personal Investigation (60%)
  • Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%)

Students from the Art, Craft & Design course go on to higher study in a range of Art & Design courses at university, they can either apply for an Art and Design Foundation Course before applying to university or apply directly to university.

Possible Career Pathways:

  • 3D designer
  • Art gallery manager or director
  • Art therapist
  • Fashion designer
  • Fine artist
  • Furniture maker
  • Graphic designer
  • Illustrator
  • Interior designer
  • Multimedia artist
  • Printmaker
  • Set designer
  • Technician

Other potential opportunities include:

  • Animator
  • Architectural assistant
  • Arts administrator
  • Art critic
  • Conservator
  • Copywriter
  • Curator
  • Sign writer
  • Teacher
  • Visual effects artist

Throughout the course there will be visits to museums, art galleries and universities.

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