Post A Job
Advertise Courses
Search Jobs
Search Courses

Free Level 3 Art and Design Course in St Albans – Oaklands College St Albans Campus

CostFREE
Duration36 weeks
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyUAL Awarding Body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 3 Art and Design Course in St Albans. Classes run at Oaklands College St Albans Campus, full-time during the day. The course runs for 36 weeks and covers fashion and creative practice from the ground up. You'll study pattern cutting, textiles, fashion illustration, photography, CAD, and design research, alongside sketchbook development and portfolio presentation. In your first year you work toward the Level 3 National Diploma, then progress to the Extended Diploma in your second year. Entry requires a minimum of four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and English, or a full Level 2 with a merit profile.

Who this course is for

Art and Design Practice is a broad based course. In the first year you will undertake the National Diploma and will be introduced to a range of specialist workshops across the following subjects: Graphic Design, 3D Design, Textiles, Ceramics, Photography, Painting and Drawing, Printmaking and Contextual studies.

In your second year you will undertake the Extended Diploma where you will choose two specialist subjects to study in preparation for your personal career path into HE or Employment. These could be a combination of Graphics and Photography, Fine Art and Print, Ceramics and 3D Design or Fashion and Textiles, as Fashion is offered as a specialism in the second year. Throughout your course you will have the support of a personal tutor to help you through the assignments and to give you guidance in your future career.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 4 GCSEs grade 9 - 4 including maths and English or a full Level 2 with a merit profile and grades 9 - 4 in English & maths.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop pattern cutting and garment manufacture skills
  • You'll explore textiles and material properties relevant to fashion
  • You'll build a design research practice and sketchbook
  • You'll create a professional portfolio and learn presentation techniques
  • You'll practise fashion illustration by hand and digitally
  • You'll use CAD software for design work
  • You'll study photography in a creative context
  • You'll examine historical and contextual influences on art, design and fashion

How you will learn

You'll learn through studio-based practical work, project briefs, and design research tasks. Assessment is portfolio-based, with your sketchbooks, finished pieces, and project work reviewed throughout the course. You'll also complete written contextual studies. Teaching takes place in the classroom and specialist studios at the St Albans Campus.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Oaklands College St Albans Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Fashion design assistant: supporting designers with samples and development
  • Textile designer: creating patterns and fabrics for fashion or interiors
  • Graphic designer: visual communication across print and digital
  • Illustrator: producing artwork for fashion, publishing or advertising
  • Visual merchandiser: designing retail displays and brand environments
  • Photography assistant: supporting shoots in fashion or commercial settings
  • CAD technician: producing technical drawings for fashion or product design

What you could study next

  • BA (Hons) Fashion Design or Textile Design: a degree for those wanting to work at a senior creative level in the fashion industry
  • BA (Hons) Graphic Design or Illustration: if your interests move toward visual communication
  • HND in Art and Design: a shorter higher-education route before moving into work or topping up to a degree
  • UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: a focused pre-degree year that strengthens your portfolio for competitive university applications
Apply on oaklands.ac.uk →
Apply now →

Related courses at Oaklands College St Albans Campus

More courses near you