Course Overview
Entry Qualifications
In addition to the standard College entry requirements (see below), this course normally requires a student to have achieved Grade 4 or above in a GCSE Art and Design course or Grade 4 in GCSE Design and Technology (Graphic Products or Resistant Materials). To fully support students who have gained a Grade 4 in GCSE in an Art and Design or Design Technology subject, or those who have not had the opportunity to study these subjects at GCSE, we will ask you to do a short drawing task as part of the enrolment procedure. This is to ensure you can successfully meet the rigours of the course. It would also be helpful for students to bring with them examples of their creative work on enrolment day.
What will I study?
This two-year course aims to both stretch and challenge students. It focuses upon the practical skills of making textile body forms and artefacts developing your visualising skills. It will provide you with the opportunity to explore fabric and paper construction techniques. You will be encouraged to look at both the functional and non- functional aspect of textiles and the purpose of textile design.
How will I study?
Throughout the course you will combine working to project briefs with self-directed critical study. The course will include visits to exhibitions.
How is the course examined?
During your first year, your work will comprise of a portfolio of work will be underpinned by research and skills development leading to sketchbooks and fashion/textiles outcomes. Skills in both photography, collage work and analysis will be integrated into the course to enable you to record your ideas. The second year is split into two components:
Component 1: Personal Investigation where you will be able to further develop your skills through exploring an issue or concept, making at least one substantial piece of Textiles. This unit is supported by art, craft or fashion. The illustrated written study is 3000 words long. (60% of A-level mark)
Component 2: Externally set assignment working from a choice of eight set starting points provided by the
examination board, you will work on developmental studies in preparation for a final piece of work that will be made during a period of fifteen hours. (40% of A-level mark)
Where next?
The course is suitable for those students wishing to pursue a career in the fields of fashion & textiles, business and promotion, fashion communication & marketing, contour design, textile contemporary practice, printed textiles, fashion buying, fashion journalism, interior design and many other art and design related courses. Students wishing to progress to university can also progress onto a one-year Foundation Studies in Art & Design immediately after A-level.
What does the course combine well with?
This course also sits well with Business, English offering pathways to Fashion Journalism or Fashion Buying. Those students wishing to pursue an Art and Design career are advised to combine it with one or more other Visual Art Course.
College Entry Requirements
We normally expect applicants to have achieved good GCSE passes in at least six subjects, these must:
- demonstrate the suitability for Advanced Level study
- have been achieved at Grade 4/C as a minimum
- include two at Grade 5/B as a minimum
- include English Language – a minimum grade of 4/C
Mathematics – If not achieved within the scope of the above should normally be achieved at grade 3/D. If mathematics is not achieved at grade 4/C then it will be a requirement to continue to study at the correct level until a grade 4 is achieved. Subjects with a mathematical content will require a higher grade.
