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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, the second year of the A-level will comprise of two components. In component one you will develop work for a personal investigation into a chosen project, issue, or concept supported by 1000-3000 words written material. This will count for 60% of your total A-level marks. In component 2 you will produce personal work in response to one of eight exciting starting points provided by AQA, which will count for 40% of your total A-level marks. At the end of the preparatory period, you will sit 15 hours supervised time (under exam conditions in the Art rooms) to produce your final response.

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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