Access to HE Diploma: Art and Design

Summary: 

Do you enjoy drawing, being creative, thinking about the visual?
Would you like to extend your ideas and develop a range of skills? 
Are you interested in eventually studying for a degree in art and design?

If you have had some recent involvement with art and design, and enjoy independent learning this could be the course for you.  Available on a one year full - time (15hrs/wk over 2.5 days) or two years part-time (1.5 days in yr 1 and 1 day in yr 2).  It provides an excellent preparation for study on a wide range of art degree courses.  It will also provide a stimulating and enjoyable programme for those wishing to study for their own personal interest.

The Access Diploma is a nationally recognised qualification (by all university degree programmes) and is validated by the Cambridge Access Validating Agency.

Course Length: 
One year full time or two years part time
Entry Requirements: 

We would like to see examples of recent work done over the last three years, including drawings and evidence of your enthusiasm in any other medium.  There is an academic element therefore applicants will be expected to have GCSE English or level 2 equivalent.  All applicants will be interviewed and asked to bring a written review of an exhibition or visual arts programme seen recently. Interviews run from February – July.  Please apply as early as possible as the course is in demand.

Assessment: 

The additional modules are assessed through essays, presentations and practical work.  In order to gain a full Access Certificate, you must pass all the course modules.

Academic Progression: 

Over the past 15 years past students have successfully gained places on a wide variety of B.A. and M.A. Art and Design courses both nationally and in Europe. Others aiming at self employment have set up their own studios. Some students have used the course to enhance their employment prospects in the creative industries.  

Full Description: 

If you opt for the full-time one year course, you will spend two days a week in our well equipped studios working with enthusiastic and committed tutors, who are all practising artists, across a range of disciplines. You will also complete an additional module on another day, which will help prepare you for the theoretical element of all degree courses. There are two additional modules to choose from either Art and Context or Graphics and Design History.  Each will include lectures, discussion groups, essays and practical work.  If you opt to study on a part-time basis you will cover the same programme but over two years. Our aim is to help you develop a critical awareness of why you do what you do rather than just showing you how to do something. 

The course is divided into 3 stages:

The first stage introduces you to skills and new ways of thinking about observation drawing, painting, textiles, 3-dimensional design, printmaking and digital media. On completion of this unit we’ll look at your work with you and discuss your strengths and possible directions your work might take.

The second stage consists of a thematic and self-elected project, which you can develop in any media or direction that you wish in consultation with your tutors.

The third stage consists of a Final Major Project which gives you the opportunity to design, plan and take much more responsibility for the direction of your work. 

As part of the course there are study trips to galleries and museums. We also offer a drawing residential to St.Ives, Cornwall.

Assessment is seen as a positive process. Your work will be assessed throughout the course, both internally and by an external moderator.  At the end of each studio module you will present a folder of work for discussion and grading. The final major project is exhibited as part of the Creative Arts Festival at City College in June/July which is open to the public.
 

Interested?
For more details of the course and an application form, please call the Information Centre on 01603 773773.  Or download an application form and details from the college website.  There is no age limit but you must be 19 to study on the access.

Please contact the Advice Shop for details of costs and start dates.

Please note that although the information given is believed to be correct at the time of publication, course information, costs and attendance details may change.

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