Frequently asked questions about our A&D subjects
What future career prospects would a Level 3 course lead to?
If you choose to study ‘A’ Level courses in art & design subjects students often progress to higher education and study courses in order to pursue careers in, such as architecture interior design, fashion buying, engineering, contour fashion, point of sale, architectural interior, web design, broadcasting, set design, game design, sculpture, blacksmithing, stone masonry, animation, marketing, film prop design, urban planning , textiles, journalism, Art history, museum studies and curation, design project manager, historic building restoration and conservation, VR design, exhibition design, concept artist, creative director, CAD designer, watch designer, painting restoration, foley artist publishing, immersive theatre and art, UX/UI designer, videography, theme park design, furniture design, animated light projection, sportwear design, environmental design, production artist, photography, fine art, CGI, ceramics, illustration and graphics, car design, crafts, painting to commission, body art, product design, couture fashion designer. neon artist, paint & roto artist and so many other careers.
Also take a look at www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk for statistical information and infographics about this huge area of employment.
If you want to investigate deeper try looking at Glassdoor for job roles and wages. Try starting of typing in designer or artist the get more specific using the list above.
Some A level student and Diploma students go straight into employment. Many students take a foundation course in art and design after their A level. Diploma student because of the foundation course like nature of the qualification normally apply straight to a degree course.
How many ‘A’ Levels can I study?
You can study up to three ‘A’ Levels in any subject combinations, but we would only recommend up to two choices in A&D subjects.
We do not advise students to study three ‘A’ Levels in Art and Design subjects, because of multiple deadlines and the resulting 45 hours of exams. Instead the ideal choice would be the Extended Diploma Course in Art and Design.
Can you study an A level with the Diploma in Art and Design?
No, the Diploma is a fulltime course, so it cannot be mixed with A level. On this course, students study areas of each of the visual arts A level subjects and specialise in the second year.
Is it good to have a mixture of written exam-based subjects and creative course work based subjects?
Yes, many of our student mix, it balances the course work demands and deadlines with the written based subjects end of year exams. It can also be about keeping options open if a career in the arts or designing is not necessarily for you.
Are art & design courses consuming?
You would be expected to study at least five hours of additional study per ‘A’ Level per week. 15hour in total for the Diploma Course.
How do your level 3 courses differ from what we study at GCSE?
You will be building on what you have learnt at GCSE as well as learning lots of new skills - its concentrates on problem solving, the explorations and development of ideas, including research on artists, designers and photographers.
What sorts of things will I study on an ‘A’ Level or Diploma visual arts course?
In general, we help you to make your ideas better by using influences to inspire the direction of your work.
We also give you the opportunity to explore techniques and processes.
We help you to review (think about) the strengths/weaknesses in your work and problem solve issues with ideas and techniques.
We also teach you to show skill at recording in both your written and visual work and acquire new technical skills for your creative work.
Is there any written work in any of the ‘A’ Level Art & Design courses?
Yes, we teach you about art history and contemporary art practice blended in with the practical work.
As part of your coursework you will also have to write an extended essay and produce an annotated sketchbook reflecting general development.
Is there a theory exam in any of the ‘A’ Level Art & Design courses?
No, all our ‘A’ Level courses are made up of two practical components. These are the Personal Investigation (60%) and the Externally Set Assignment (40%).
How long are the lessons?
Students have contact time of 4 hours and 40 mins a week for each subject.
Normally this is a double lesson of 2 hrs 20 mins and 2 single lessons of 1hr and 10 mins
How many students are there in a class?
This varies, but class sizes tend to be between 15-24.
Which, if any, of the subjects overlap and work well together?
There are small overlaps between our ‘A’ Level in Fine Art and Arts & Crafts in areas such as observational drawing (full details below). Very little or no over lap in the other subjects we offer.
You can successfully combine any of the visual arts subjects we offer. Please refer to our course information sheets about subjects that work well together for specific careers: you will find more information on the WQE website.
Do we go on any trips?
Yes, if there are any relevant or interesting exhibitions coming up, we endeavor to arrange a trip to see it. We also go and see lots of degrees show work in the summer term with New Designers and Free-Range exhibitions, as well as visiting more local degree shows, such as DMU. We hope to reintroduce our international trips to Paris and Venice sometime the near future.
Sketchbooks and basic equipment
We will provide for you a basic range of equipment to get you started.
A good quality A3 sketchbook and art kit boxes of paints can be purchased at the start of term from our online art shop. (wisepay)
We also have a bursary fund from which you might be eligible to purchase equipment.
If you have any specific bursary questions you can email bursary@wqe.ac.uk
Adobe software
We will be able to provide for you free access to Adobe software (Illustrator and Photoshop) for use at home.
What grades do we need to get on any art & design type course?
We normally expect applicants to have achieved good GCSE passes in at least six subjects, these must:
have been achieved a grade 4/C as a minimum
include two at grade 5/B as a minimum
including English Language – a minimum of grade 4/C.
A grade 5 or above in one or more Art and design or design technology subject. Including GCSE Textiles/ Art /Graphics /D&T resistant materials & graphic products/ photography (so long as your confident of your drawing skills if applying for a none photography art course)
What if I don’t have a grade 5 in an art related subject?
If you have gained a Grade 4 at GCSE in an Art & Design subject (or those who have not had the opportunity to study these subjects at GCSE) a short drawing or photography task, which must be completed here at the college, will form part of the enrolment procedure. We would not accept a student with only a grade 3 in an art and design subject.
Do we need to bring in examples of our work to show you?
You don’t have to bring in examples of your work if you have achieved a grade 5 in an A&D related subject, but It would be helpful for students to bring examples of their creative work to the enrolment session if you achieved less.
Do you offer courses at GCSE?
Yes, we offer three subjects at GCSE in Graphics, Photography and Fine Art.
Each is a one-year course and students have contact time of four and a half hours a week for each subject.
Are there any enrichment opportunities for the arts?
Yes, we have lots of different enrichment opportunities in the arts, including drawing and painting, photography, ceramics, film, choir, jazz band, acapella, and drama etc.
What courses would be good for Interior Design?
Students wishing to continue in this field will have studied ‘A’ Levels in Art & Design subjects, such as Fine Art, Arts & Crafts, Graphics or Product Design etc.
See University websites for further advise.
Frequently asked questions in Textiles
Do I need my own sewing machine, and will you teach me how to use it?
You will be taught how to use a sewing machine.
Ideally you should have your own sewing machine.
Look up Bernina machines, you can pick second-hand ones up on eBay. This brand has an embroidery or free machining foot, which you will need.
You don’t need to bring your sewing machine into lessons: you'll keep yours at home and use ours when in college.
We have a bursary fund from which you might be eligible to purchase a sewing machine.
If you have any specific bursary questions you can email bursary@wqe.ac.uk
What will I study in Textiles?
It focuses upon the practical skills of making textile body forms, garments and artefacts.
It will provide you with the opportunity to explore fabric and paper construction techniques as well as embellishment techniques.
Textiles will support any applications to get in the clothing industry.
Your work will be inspired by what goes on in the fashion world as you'll be researching designers and current trends as part of your project work.
‘A’ Level Textiles will build upon the work that you did at Level 2. Have a look at the fashion and textiles section on the website to see examples of sketchbooks and research.
Which universities have textiles students gone on to study?
Please refer to our destinations sheet which you will find on the WQE website.
Frequently asked questions in Photography
Do I need my own camera?
Yes, you will mostly be taking photographs outside college times, so it’s important that you have access to a digital camera. At the start of the course any camera, even a smartphone, will be fine.
We also have a bursary fund from which you might be eligible to purchase a camera.
If you have any specific bursary questions you can email bursary@wqe.ac.uk.
What is the best camera to buy?
We tend to suggest either Canon or Nikon DSLRs, you don't need to get the most expensive up to date one, an older model would be fine. We can give advice during the first term.
Adobe software
We will be able to provide for you free access to Adobe software (Illustrator and Photoshop) for use at home.
Do we do any darkroom work?
Yes, we will teach you how to process your own films and print the negatives in the darkroom.
Is art an alternative to photography?
They are very different subjects. For our Art subjects developing your drawing skills is key to the development of your work, weather it Graphics, Art craft and design or Fine art.
Have a look at the Photography and Art sections on the website to see examples of sketchbooks and research.
Frequently asked questions in Product Design
Will we be taught how to use the equipment?
Yes, you will be taught how to use the equipment and then explore in a range of product design materials.
What sort of things will I make on the Product Design course?
It is quite a broad course, but in the past typically students have made storage items, vessels, lighting and wearables, such as jewellery.
What sort of materials will I work in?
In the past typically students have made products out of wood, plastics, metal concrete, cement, card modelling and recycled materials etc.
Do you have a 3-D printer?
Yes.
Is your Product Design course a DT type course?
No, it is part of the art & design suite of courses and does not have a written exam.
Have a look at the Product Design section on the website to see examples of sketchbooks and research.
Careers
Often students wishing to continue in this field progress to higher education and study courses such as Product Design, industrial design, automotive design, civil and mechanical Engineering or Architecture.
Is Product Design the same as Graphics Design?
No, in Graphics students produce work related to the advertising industry and work in a range of disciplines from mixed media illustration, even using 3D elements such as packaging, to highly technical web sites.
There are no overlaps between the courses and so you would be able to study both subjects.
Frequently asked questions in ‘A’ Level Graphics
What careers are available in graphics?
Careers in Graphics are wide ranging, but include illustration, graphics design, information design and teaching.
Which courses work well with graphics?
Often students wishing to continue in this field also study Photography, Fine Art, Arts & Crafts, Media Studies, or ICT, but it will depend upon your career choice.
If you would like to go into a career in animation or character design which course would be the best?
Often students wishing to continue in this field also study Photography, Fine Art, Arts & Crafts, Graphics or ICT.
See University websites for further advise.
What equipment do students use in graphic communication?
We have 24 PCs and drawing tablets in each studio to help support your work. You’ll have free access to Adobe Illustrator and photoshop at home and in college.
Have a look at the Graphics section on the website to see examples of sketchbooks and research.
Frequently asked questions in ‘A’ Level Fine Art and ‘A’ Level Arts & Crafts.
What do you study in ‘A’ Level Arts & Crafts?
This is a multi-disciplinary course in which you will be taught and then explore in a range of art and design techniques/processes, genres and themes. For example, you will be following projects in urban landscape, portraiture in oils and Illustration. You will also develop work through collage, drawing, printmaking and ceramics.
What do you study in ‘A’ Level Fine Art?
The Fine Art course is a traditional painting and drawing course. It’s important that you enjoy drawing and are prepared to develop your abilities by practice and experimentation. You will learn how to build up a painting from the initial idea to a finished product.
You will get the opportunity to work in a range of media, including pencil, paint and pastel.
Have a look at the Fine Art section on the website to see examples of sketchbooks and research.
Can I study both ‘A’ Level Fine Art and ‘A’ Level Arts & Crafts?
Although you could study both subjects at ‘A’ Level we do not advise this as there are similarities between the two.
Have a look at both sections on the website to see examples of sketchbooks and research.
Frequently asked Questions in L3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design
Do you offer L3 Diploma Course in Art & Design?
Yes, we offer the Art & Design Level 3 Extended Diploma (3 A Levels equivalence).
You should have achieved five GCSEs at grade A*-C/4-9, including a grade 5 in an art and design subject to complete the course
Can you still do the art and design extended diploma if you haven't done GCSE art and design?
You will need to have a very strong portfolio of work because this is in effect a full-time art course. You would also need to successfully complete the drawing task. We have in the past excepted exceptional students on to the course without a GCSE in an art and design subject.
Why do you offer the Extended diploma rather than 3 ‘A’ Levels in Art related subjects?
The Diploma course is a full-time course and enables students to learn a range of specialist skills that can be developed through optional units in the second year.
Student taking this course are passionate about the visual arts and are looking to pursue a career in the visual arts.
As it is a vocational art & design course, students study courses, such as textiles, photography, fine art painting and drawing, ceramics, printmaking, illustration and graphics plus many specialist optional units. Diploma students also do a one-week work placement in the creative industries or design studio.
We do not advise students to study 3 ‘A’ Levels in Art and Design subjects, because of multiple deadlines and the resulting 45 hours of exams.
What will I study on the BTEC in Art & Design?
During this two-year course you will explore a range of art and design techniques. For example, you will be following unit in portraiture, landscape photography, fine art printmaking, digital fine art, fine art painting sculpture and ceramics. On this course we create a lively creative studio environment where skills and knowledge provide a platform for exploration, experimentation and creativity. We give students the facility and confidence to work more independently. Fundamental to our ethos is a commitment to respect and nourish students’ emerging creative identities, understand their craft and excel in their accomplishments.
Your course work completed over the 2 years is assessed in order to gain a Pass Merit or Distinction and there are no exams on this course.
Have a look at the BTEC A&D section on the website to see examples of sketchbooks and research.
Do I need my own camera for the diploma?
Yes, you will mostly be taking photographs outside college times, so it’s important that you have access to a digital camera. At the start of the course any camera, even a smartphone, will be fine.
We also have a bursary fund from which you might be eligible to purchase a camera.
If you have any specific bursary questions you can email bursary@wqe.ac.uk.