Access to Art and Design

If your plan is to explore your potential in art and design with a clear intention of progression to study at degree level, the Access to HE Diploma in Art and Design is the programme for you.

Painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, graphic design, art history and professional practice are among the specialist areas covered. See more below.

You cover:
- painting, drawing, life drawing
- sculpture
- metals
- mixed media
- printmaking
- textiles
- graphic design
- ceramics
- illustration
- art history
- study skills
- professional practice

You undertake 22 units attached to five major projects, which offer credits at Level 2 and Level 3. Level 3 is equivalent to A-level. 19 units have three credits, and three major units have double weighting of six credits.

Learning activities include specialist workshops and practical sessions as well as seminars and discussions. You are set practical assignments which reflect professional practice. Emphasis is placed on working with others, learning new skills, using specialist media and equipment. You also need to be able to work independently
and take responsibility for your own learning. Throughout the course you are required to complete some additional tasks in your own time.

We support you to identify and develop your skills and understanding in a specialist area of art and design practice.

All units are internally assessed by a team of specialist staff and assessments take place throughout the course at regular intervals, verified internally and externally to ensure standards. Comprehensive feedback and guidance is given promptly.

To gain the diploma you need a minimum of 60 credits, made up from:
- at least 45 credits at Level 3
- 15 credits at Level 2

You are awarded accreditation for every unit you achieve, but will only achieve the diploma with the above credits (in any combination). In addition you could be awarded merit and distinction grades for each unit, which are often required by universities in making offers.

Students achieving the qualification receive a Diploma and Academic Transcript from OCN/Credit4Learning.

Other gains:
You will be able to take responsibility for a significant amount of self-directed study, which will enable you to build a portfolio of work suitable for progression to higher education or employment. You develop professional and study skills, and build confidence in making, developing and presenting your own art and design work. You develop personal themes and interests while gaining an insight into a wide range of art and design practice.

This programme is for people aged 19 years old or above. You do not need a background in art and design but must be willing to embrace the challenge of working with a range of media with a spirit of adventure and curiosity. Some evidence of creativity is expected at interview - details will be supplied when you apply.

Students on this programme move on to study on a range of related degree courses in this area. The emphasis is on progression to higher education and you are supported and encouraged to make this step.

If you are 24 or older, you can take out an advanced learning loan to cover these fees. Payments do not start until you earn a minimum of £21,000.

If you get a loan to cover tuition fees for an Access to HE course and then go on to complete a higher education course, you will not have to repay the loan for this access course. It is written off.