Free Level 3 Art and Design Course in Manchester. Classes run full-time at The Manchester College City Campus, five days a week during the day. The course runs for one year and covers all areas of visual arts, from illustration and photography to ceramics, printmaking, fashion, and 3D product design. You'll work on live briefs set by industry professionals, experiment with materials and processes, and build toward a final project shown at an end-of-year exhibition. Manchester's creative scene is part of the learning, with partnerships at venues including Manchester Art Gallery and The Whitworth. A strong level 3 art and design qualification for anyone ready to develop their creative practice.
Who this course is for
Are you passionate about fashion, clothes and the latest looks? Do you want to design high street collections, bespoke, high-end couture, or style others for magazines and photoshoots? Can you see yourself working behind the scenes of retail fashion with the army of creative people who drive the UK fashion industry? If you can, this is the course to help start your journey. On this Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Fashion & Textiles, you’ll explore, develop and test your creativity across a range of units, from design concepts to printmaking, drawing and illustrations to using photography for self-promotion. You’ll focus on textiles techniques - including embroidery and pattern repeat - and look at experimental craft techniques and methods too. As well as expanding your creative abilities, you’ll also learn a range of transferable skills to help you succeed in a number of different roles in the fashion and textiles industry. You’ll work to project or fashion show deadlines and requirements, complete collaborative teamwork assignments, and develop your problem solving and communication expertise. As with nearly all of our creative qualifications, this Diploma and Extended Diploma is awarded by University of the Arts London Awarding Body - the only specialist creative arts awarding body in the UK.
What you will learn
You'll explore a wide range of visual arts disciplines, including painting, illustration, photography, printmaking, ceramics, jewellery, film, and fashion and textiles.
You'll work on live briefs set by industry experts across specialist creative areas.
You'll experiment with materials and processes to develop your own ideas and concepts.
You'll build a body of work toward a final project and take part in a public end-of-year exhibition.
You'll engage with Manchester's creative sector through partnerships with galleries and cultural organisations.
You'll develop skills in problem solving, collaboration, and independent creative thinking.
How you will learn
You'll learn through studio-based practice, live project briefs, and hands-on experimentation with materials across multiple disciplines. Assessment is through a portfolio of work and a final major project, which is exhibited publicly at the end of the year. You'll attend full-time during the day at The Manchester College City Campus.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. The Manchester College City Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Graphic designer: create visual content for brands and media
Illustrator: produce artwork for publishing, advertising, and digital media
Photographer: work in commercial, editorial, or fine art photography
Textile designer: design patterns and fabrics for fashion or interiors
Printmaker or studio artist: produce and sell original artwork
Visual arts technician: support studios, galleries, or educational settings
Creative arts assistant: work in community arts or cultural organisations
What you could study next
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 4): the standard entry route into art and design degree programmes at UK universities.
BA (Hons) in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, or a related subject: a three-year degree that deepens specialist practice and opens professional creative careers.
Higher National Diploma (HND) in Art and Design: a two-year higher education qualification available at many colleges, with degree top-up options.
