Level 3 Art and Design Course in Croydon. Classes run full-time at Coulsdon Sixth Form College, five days a week during the day. Fee remission may be available depending on your circumstances. Over 34 weeks, you'll explore Fine Art, Design, and Textiles, with the flexibility to follow your own creative interests and strengths. The course includes gallery trips, outdoor drawing sessions, photoshoots, and external competitions to broaden your practice. You'll need four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Art or a relevant subject, plus a portfolio.
Who this course is for
This course will equip you with in-depth knowledgeinto a wide selection of areas within the creative fields of Fine Art, Design and Textiles. The course structure can allow the qualification to be flexible to meet your interests, abilities and aspirations. The College runs a number of educational experiences each year to enable students to contextualise their learning. These experiences include trips to galleries, outdoor drawing opportunities and photoshoots, external competitions, participation in a local craft fair and talks by visiting speakers, including a variety of local designers and artists.
Entry requirements
Four GCSEs grade 9-4 and a satisfactory school reference. Including Art at grade 4 or a relevant subject as a minimum. A suitable portfolio will be required.
What you will learn
You'll develop practical skills across Fine Art, Design, and Textiles.
You'll build a body of creative work that reflects your own interests and abilities.
You'll study contextual and critical ideas that inform creative practice.
You'll learn to plan, develop, and refine your own creative projects.
You'll gain experience working in real gallery and outdoor settings.
You'll develop skills in photography through on-location photoshoots.
You'll practise responding to external briefs through competitions and live projects.
How you will learn
You'll learn through studio-based practical work, supported by contextual study. Assessment is through a portfolio of creative work and a personal investigation. You'll attend gallery visits, outdoor drawing sessions, and photoshoots as part of your learning. The course is delivered in the classroom and studio, full-time during the day. A portfolio is required for entry, and your work throughout the course builds toward your final assessment.
What you will need to bring
You'll need a portfolio of your creative work to apply. The centre will confirm any specific materials you need before you start. Coulsdon Sixth Form College will let you know what to bring for your first session.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Graphic designer: create visual content for brands and publications.
Illustrator: produce artwork for books, media, and advertising.
Textile designer: design patterns and fabrics for fashion or interiors.
Visual merchandiser: style retail displays and brand environments.
Art technician: support studio and workshop practice in schools or colleges.
Photography assistant: support shoots in commercial or editorial settings.
Junior designer: entry-level role in a design studio or agency.
What you could study next
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 4): the standard next step before a degree, accepted by most UK art schools.
BA (Hons) Fine Art, Graphic Design, Textiles, or Illustration: a three-year degree at a university or specialist art college.
Higher National Diploma (HND) in Art and Design (Level 5): a two-year higher education route with a more vocational focus.
BTEC Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Creative Media Production: if you want to move into digital or media-based creative work.
