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
This course aims to equip students with a broad range of skills relevant to the fashion and associated industries and our students have an excellent track record of progression success. In the first year you will undertake the L3 National Diploma progressing onto the Extended Diploma in your second year. Subjects covered include pattern cutting, manufacture, textiles, design research, portfolio presentation, sketchbook development, fashion illustration, photography, CAD and Historical and Contextual studies. The course offers a stimulating working environment where students are encouraged to develop their own individual aesthetic signature. Emphasis is placed on technical ability, balanced by creative exploration and material investigation. The highlight of the course, is when students get to create a mini collection supported with research for their Final Major Project which is shown at the end of year show.
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
