Free Level 3 Art and Design Course in Tonbridge

CostFREE
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyUAL Awarding Body

About this course

Free Level 3 Art and Design Course in Tonbridge. Classes run at North Kent College Tonbridge, full-time over two years.

You'll work across graphic design, illustration, branding, advertising, and packaging. The course builds your skills from the ground up. You'll tackle real creative briefs and develop your own visual style. It covers the foundations of design thinking, drawing, and digital work.

You'll finish with an Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication, awarded by University of the Arts London.

Who this course is for

Equivalent to 3 A Levels, a total of 72-168 UCAS points, depending on grades achieved.

The Graphic Design & Illustration course is ideal for those looking to develop and extend their creative skills. This course will present you with a wide range of creative project briefs such as branding, advertising, product packaging and merchandise and forms of illustration.

The course will allow you to investigate the foundations of Graphic Design & Illustration. Working from the ground up, so don't worry about your prior knowledge in Graphic Design or Illustration, you just need to have creative drive and the desire to learn.

You’ll be working in a studio of like-minded creatives with access to Apple Mac based studios, industry standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, XD, Illustrator, and InDesign. All the areas above will be introduced in studio and digital workshops. After successfully completing year 1 you will have the opportunity to progress on to the second year to obtain your full Extended Diploma.

We set an industry standard within the department, we work towards the ideal of every learner being able to progress into their own chosen pathway in Graphic Design and Illustration, so whatever your aim is, we will help you to achieve it.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop skills in graphic design and visual communication.
  • You'll create branding, advertising, and product packaging projects.
  • You'll practise illustration techniques across different styles and formats.
  • You'll explore design history and the ideas behind creative work.
  • You'll build a professional portfolio of your best projects.
  • You'll use industry-standard tools and digital design software.

How you will learn

You'll learn through project-based work in the classroom. Assessment is mainly through a portfolio of creative projects and coursework. You'll respond to set briefs and develop your own ideas. Tutors will give feedback throughout each project. There are no written exams for this qualification.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. North Kent College Tonbridge will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Graphic designer, creates visual content for brands and businesses.
  • Illustrator, produces artwork for books, media, and advertising.
  • Web designer, designs the look and layout of websites.
  • Art director, leads the visual style of campaigns and publications.
  • Packaging designer, develops product packaging for retail brands.
  • Multimedia artist, creates digital content across different platforms.

What you could study next

  • A degree in Graphic Design or Illustration at university, building on your Extended Diploma and UCAS points.
  • A degree in Fine Art or Visual Communication, for those who want to develop a broader creative practice.
  • A Higher National Diploma (HND) in Creative Media or Design, a shorter higher-education route into industry.

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