Extended Diploma in Art and Design – Level 3
Course overview
The Extended Diploma, equivalent in size to three A Levels, is a two-year, full-time course that meets entry requirements for learners who want to progress to higher education courses in art and design areas before entering employment.
The content, structure and assessment of this qualification has been developed in consultation with teachers, employers, professional bodies and academics to ensure that it supports progression to higher education and is appropriate and consistent with current practice, should learners choose to enter employment directly.
In addition to the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin study for becoming a practitioner in the art and design sector, this qualification offers learners experience of the breadth and depth of the sector to prepare them for further study or training. Learners taking this qualification will study two mandatory learning and teaching modules:
• Developing Art and Design Skills
• Advancing Creative Practice
The requirements of the qualification will mean that learners develop the transferable and higher-order skills that are highly regarded by higher education and employers. For example, learners will develop increasing self direction, reflection and problem-solving skills and the ability to synthesise approaches to their practice. They will also develop an ability to respond creatively to unfamiliar industry contexts and demands, using a variety of skills to communicate personal ideas and intentions while recognising and meeting the needs of audiences.
This qualification offers learners the opportunity to develop their technical art and design skills over their course of study through a process of critical evaluation, practice and review, which are key skills for progression to higher education. The qualification also supports learners in building confidence in taking ownership and responsibility of their own projects.
To study this course, you will need to have completed the 540 Diploma in Art & Design course.
There are two main assessments in the year, one at the end of January and one at the end of the academic year. These assessments relate to Module A: Exploring and Developing Art & Design Skills
Art and design practices span a broad range of specialisms and purposes, but all practitioners in the creative industries work to enrich or improve the world around us. Before entering the industry, creative practitioners need to explore and refine different interrelated art and design practices in order to develop technical and communication skills and build confidence for producing outcomes to meet a need or fulfil a purpose. This can be done in a specialist area or across different specialisms. The fundamentals covered in this module will enable you to take ownership of your projects. You will explore ways of informing ideas, understand and develop solutions to creative challenges, acquire technical skills and develop professional practice and communication skills. You will develop these underpinning skills practically through producing work, experimenting with a range of ideas and technical practices. You will have the opportunity to bring them together in response to a creative brief.
This learning and teaching module integrates content across two assessment units:
A1: Skills Development and A2: Creative Project.
For A1: Skills Development, you will explore key fundamentals of art and design practice, learning how skills are integrated and connect to generate developed outcomes
For A2: Creative Project, you will apply the skills you have been developing throughout the programme to a creative project that demonstrates your ability to self-direct a response to a brief, from inception to communication of outcomes.
Following success completion of the course, students can progress onto HND, Foundation Degree or BA (Hons) Degree courses within a wide range of creative areas.
Careers include: Artist, Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Interior Designer, Photographer or Fashion Designer.
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