Art and Design Level 3

The course features a variety of skills development, experimentation and stimulation across a range of disciplines. 

It aims to give you an insight into critical and contextual awareness as well as an understanding of a range of appropriate methods and skills to solve complex creative problems and present work to appropriate audiences. This in turn helps you to identify the specific area of art and design you wish to specialise in.  

Tutor and peer critiques provide the means for effective and appropriate reflection of the skills, methods, actions and results of your work. This encourages you to take ownership of your own learning, development and decision making.

In year one the course consists of nine units which cover a variety of art, design and craft subjects, including 2D, 3D and time-based work, research, contextual awareness, creative development skills and progression skills.

In year two a further four units are completed to achieve the level three Extended Diploma. 

This course also includes a Skills Challenge Certificate or Essential Skills plus a Welsh language unit and employability skills.

Successful completion of the level three Extended Diploma course will enable you to progress to higher-level courses that include a wide range of degrees in a variety of creative subjects, and provides the skills which can lead to other education, training or employment opportunities in a wide variety of occupations. Many of our students choose direct progression onto our degree programmes at Carmarthen School of Art, for which you will be eligible for an internal progression bursary of £1,000. 

All units are internally assessed and internally verified with the exception of the final major projects, which are externally moderated by the University of the Arts London (UAL) Awarding Body.

All unit assessment is of the student’s portfolio work, in addition to this the final major project units also culminate in an assessed exhibition. 

All applicants will need to bring a portfolio of art, craft, and design work to their interview. Suitability for this course will be assessed at interview.

An applicant for the Level 3 Extended Diploma will need to have: 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C, which includes either English Language or Welsh (1st Language) and Maths. Or successful completion of level 2 vocational qualification in relevant subject. English and Maths are an integral part of the course. Students who do not yet have the necessary grades at C or above will have additional teaching and support to study for either GCSE or Essential Skills Qualifications depending on prior GCSE grades.

There is a £100 studio fee per year for this course which will provide basic materials for you to develop your practical work within our workshop and studio facilities. 

All learners are required to pay an administration fee of £25 prior to enrolment. 

You will need to provide your own stationery and may also incur costs if the department arranges educational visits.