Student doing design work on a laptop

What You Will Study

The course will focus on four main areas of specialisation: photography, graphic design, film and television and fine art. You will undertake general art and design project work and sample all pathways, working to your existing strengths but, at the same time, developing many new skills and competencies.

Building on previous knowledge and skills in art and design, the course is structured to provide opportunities across a broad academic and vocational base, progressively deepening students’ knowledge. We also offer different pathways in; Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Design and Film and Television.

Based on the current specification from the awarding body, students will undertake two units to complete the first year of the programme. These are currently planned as*:

A1: Concept & Development

A2: Creative Practice

The second year of the course will then follow on with a further two units. These are currently planned as*:

Unit B1: Personal Professional Development

Unit B2: Professional Project

Assessments for the course may take a variety of forms, from practical tasks, group work and presentations to formal, written assignments and reports.

Academic and practical skills developed through the course focus on workplace and transferable skills to equip students for progression into employment, developed alongside academic skills such as research, problem analysis and critical thinking to support progression to higher level study. You will develop the ability to work independently and on your own initiative.

You will develop career-ready employment skills which will include:

  • Technical and practical confidence in the use of a wide range of professional-level equipment management of the digital workflow (ideas-artwork-production-reproduction)
  • The ability to manage time effectively and to plan to meet your client’s expectations
  • Awareness of budgets, production costs and charging for time
  • The ability to communicate your ideas to others and present compelling concepts appropriately
  • The capacity to work safely and responsibly throughout the creative process when dealing with clients and other stakeholders
  • Attendance Expectations

    This full-time programme is run over one year per level with daytime sessions blocked over two days.

  • Entry Requirements

    64 UCAS tariff points (NEW UCAS TARIFF) from either:

    • A Levels (including Art and Design or another relevant subject)
    • UAL level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design
    • BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design
    • Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design)

    The following are also required:

    • A grade C or above in GCSE English
    • Two satisfactory references

    A grade C or above in GCSE Maths is also desirable.

    Applications from mature students with relevant professional/life experience are welcome. You might be required to provide further evidence to decide on your suitability for the course and an admissions test may be used in certain circumstances.

  • Fee Information

    £7,400

  • Further Study

    On successful completion of the HNC, you will progress to the HND. You will then have the opportunity to progress to a top-up course to gain a full BA (Hons) degree at university. Other students may progress to employment, set up their own enterprise or continue to study a teaching qualification.

    The course aims to equip students with the skills required to embark upon a variety of employment opportunities in the creative industries:

    • Graphic Design
    • Web Design
    • Commercial Photography
    • Illustration
    • Animation
    • Lens-based Media Production
    • Film and Television editor
    • Film and Television Production
    • Lighting Operator
    • Sound Mixer
    • Marketing
    • Fine Art
    • Further Education Teaching

    Students might also use the course to set up in business for themselves, exhibiting and selling their art products or using their design skills, photographic and film and television talents to work freelance.