Applied Art and Design - Level 3 Extended Diploma (UAL)

If you are interested in art and design, this course provides an opportunity to explore, develop and test your creativity with stimulating and demanding study. During the course, you will experiment with a wide variety of new materials allowing you to build your technical skills whilst developing your critical and contextual research skills.

You will learn a range of disciplines such as model-making, illustration, creative advertising and graphic design. Drawing and creativity are central to your study in the visual arts, which will be underpinned by an understanding of cultural and historical influences. You will also be introduced to relevant software to support you in your future career.

This course is accredited by UAL.

Extended Diplomas have two one-year programmes. You need to finish the first year before moving on to the second.

The Art and Design - Level 3 Diploma (UAL) is the largest qualification in the suite. It is equivalent in size to 3 A Levels and is delivered over two years of full-time study. This qualification is comprised of two units:

• Unit 1: Diagnostic investigation in Art and Design: This diagnostic investigation allows you to explore a wide range of art and design disciplines as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of specialist practice.
• Unit 2 Specialist practice in Art and Design: You will demonstrate your learning by responding to a creative brief that is set and marked by the UAL Awarding Body. You will further develop your skills and knowledge of the creative process in art and design but within a particular area of practice, such as fashion, photography or graphics. You will demonstrate an increased level of autonomy and identify a self-initiated project in which you can demonstrate the culmination of learning across both units of the qualification.

This qualification is ideal for those who want to explore a range of art and design disciplines (Unit 1), and then further enhance their knowledge and skills in a chosen specialist practice (Unit 2).

You will need:

• Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language or Maths Level 2 qualification at Merit (and Functional Skills in English at Level 2/GCSE English Language at grade 4 or above)
• One of your GCSE must include an art subject
• Portfolio of your art and design work A reference from your previous school/college

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

The course is assessed throughout the year and with an end-of-course portfolio.

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

The primary purpose of this course is to aid you in progressing to further or higher learning. However, the transferable skills and knowledge developed as part of this qualification will support you in progressing into appropriate entry-level roles or higher apprenticeships in the creative sector. Some of the options for Higher education are:

• BA (Hons) Product Design
• BA (Hons) Interior Design
• BA (Hons) Architecture
• BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• BA (Hons) Illustration 
• BA (Hons) 3D Design

Robyn is a practicing artist who gained her MA in illustration in 2023 at Camberwell College of Art, where her primary study surrounded Welsh folklore, myth and storytelling. Continuing her practice Robyn is currently writing and illustrating books and comics as well as working freelance. Robyn joined the teaching staff at Westminster Kingsway College in 2022, teaching both digital and traditional illustration techniques. Before joining WestKing, Robyn taught art within a Welsh speaking primary school and SEN college. This informed her teaching practice well as she was able to develop teaching strategies to facilitate and meet the needs of individual learners.     

Michael has been teaching since 2013 across secondary and college levels and is experienced in teaching from key stage 4 up to post-FE. His specialism is Film Production delivering techniques and skills he has gained from filmmaking and sound design.

Michale’s experiences include being a Camera Operator for an independent film for a FILM4 picture, Director of two award-winning short films on AMAZON PRIME video and Pinewood Studios film festival, recording, producing and music event management, and documentary filming.

Using this industry experience, Michael delivers practical and employment skills relevant to the creative industries and challenges students to achieve their potential whilst offering guidance for their future endeavours.

Shirley Dixon is a creative practitioner with many years experience as an artist and designer-maker, since graduating from the Royal College of Art.  

An advocate of lifelong learning, Shirley has taught in the Further Education sector for over 18 years and has facilitated workshops for art organisations in conjunction with her exhibited work. 

Shirley regularly participates in open studios, open calls and art fairs. Her specialisms are Constructed Textiles and Fine Art: drawing, painting and printmaking.

The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.