Skip to main content
Nottingham College logo

Key Details

Course Area:

Art and Design

Student Type:

16 - 18 | A Levels

Course Type:

A Level course

Course Introduction

If you’re creative, want to improve your artistic practice and enhance your technique in different artistic forms, this course is for you.

This is a very hands on practical course where you will learn essential 2D and 3D skills in Art and Design. You will also be expected to complete your own research into artists and artwork analysis in your sketchbooks throughout your two years.

You’ll receive a 6-week induction programme at the beginning of the AS year before moving on to develop your 2D skills in both Fine Art, such as painting and drawing, as well as illustration and Graphics. You will be taught 3D skills and work on a sculptural head project also in your first year.

In the A2 year the focus shifts to developing a personal practical portfolio of work along with a written related study, where you will study and analyse the work of other artist or designers.

A Level Art and Design is taught at Nottingham College’s designated Art and Design campus within a former lace mill at 25 Stoney Street. We have a large open plan studio/ teaching area to work in where the majority of teaching and studio practice takes place. In addition, we have projects that are taught in the separate ceramics studio. A fully equipped print room is also used for screen printing and all relief types of print making. Further 3D specialist workshops are also housed in the building. An Art materials shop is housed on the ground floor of the building.

Both tutors are practising artists and have links to industry. We have links with artist studio groups and galleries. We encourage students to exhibit their work in exhibitions or competitions that are relevant, such as The Young Creatives Awards.

We aim to visit London Art Galleries for study and inspiration at least once a year. In the past these have been Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the Royal Academy, London. We also encourage you to visit Nottingham art galleries such as Nottingham Contemporary.

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Depending on your chosen career path Art can be accompanied by a range of A Level subjects. For a career in Architecture we recommend you choose maths and a science subject alongside Art. English and Photography are good choices if considering an artistic path and for careers in art therapy psychology can be an excellent choice.

You can speak with our tutors or our careers team for any advice once you’ve applied.

Course Information

OCR A Level Art and Design

Level 3
  • To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above.
  • To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 7 or above.

One of your GCSEs must be a Grade 4 or above in GCSE Art and Design or GCSE Textiles. If you have not previously studied Art and Design or Textiles you will need to show us a portfolio of your relevant work.

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year 1 to progress to your 2nd year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades 1 or 2 points below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Applicants who choose 4 subjects but only have the entry requirements to study 3:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements to study 4 A Level subjects, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer for all 4. At your ‘Get Ready for College’ day you will undertake tasters in your subjects and at this point you can discuss your options with subject staff at the event, to help you finalise your subject choices. Final A Level choices however will be made at enrolment in August when your GCSE results are confirmed.

Coursework accounts for 60% of the A level mark. An externally set exam paper from OCR makes up the further 40% of the Art and Design A level award.

Successful completion course gives you direct entry to Art and Design Degrees. Fine Art, Illustration, Architecture, Interior Design, Graphics etc. are well established routes for our students. For those students wishing to extend their portfolio, the Level 4 Pre-Degree Foundation Course at Nottingham college is also a popular progression route. You can choose to follow with further studies on a foundation diploma in art and design, or a higher education course in fine art, graphic design, textile design or 3D design.

There are lots of careers open to you such as fashion designer, graphic designer, illustrator, interior designer or textile designer.

Essential equipment: 2 sketchbooks in AS year, 3 sketchbooks in A2 year. Set of drawing pencils. The department provides equipment at the moment.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are aged 19 or over you may still be eligible for funding. Check out our Financial Help pages to find out more!

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Related Courses

Art and Design (Level 1 UAL Diploma) - Full-time

Art and Design (Level 2 UAL Diploma) - Full-time

General Art and Design (Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma) - Full-time