The college is closed for the festive period. Applications made during this time will be processed, and updates will be sent when we reopen on Thursday 2 January. For safeguarding, mental health and welfare concerns, help is still available on our safeguarding page

Skip to content
0
Art and Design
Art and Design

Art and Design

Level 3
Cheltenham Forest of Dean Gloucester

Course Overview

Full Time
Certificate
Shortlist and Apply

Creativity comes to life as you explore various topics in art and design, developing a diverse portfolio of work before deciding which area to specialise in for the second year of the course. With dedicated studios for art, graphic design, photography and more, you’ll find the perfect place to work on live assignment briefs. Expert lecturers will guide you to bring your visions to life and make sure you’re ready to apply for higher education or enter employment in the art and design industry. 

 

What you’ll learn 

Finesse your artistic talents through a blend of practical workshops, studio sessions, and contextual studies. Throughout this course you’ll explore a diverse range of mediums, including drawing, fine art, painting, sculpture, surface design, graphic design, illustration, photography, and printmaking and many more.

Study key modules covering visual recording, historical and contextual studies, materials and techniques, ideas and concepts, visual communication, and visual communication. You’ll gain hands-on experience in 3D design, fashion and textiles, and sculpture, honing your creative skills in painting, printmaking, digital art skills and photography along the way.

With close links to industry professionals and opportunities to showcase your work in local galleries and exhibition spaces, this course promises to ignite your passion for art and design while preparing you for a successful career in creative fields.

 

Highlights  

You can look forward to:

  • Undertake a work experience week in both years of study! This includes live briefs and working with professionals from the creative industries, such as Aardman Animation
  • Trips to major and local art exhibitions and museums, in places like London, Birmingham, Bristol & Oxford 
  • Guest artists & designers from specialist backgrounds, including concept artists, designers, animators, fine artist and illustrators
  • Dedicated equipment which includes iMacs, MacBooks, iPad/apple pencils, a 3D printer, laser cutter and screen-printing equipment
  • Independence to explore ideas and individual creative approaches, specialising in areas of your interest
  • Large, light working spaces, print room, life drawing studio, photography studio, digital art suites and purpose-built fashion studios

 

Assessment 

There are no exams on this course and the assessment for this course is through undertaking practical project-based briefs where you will be given feedback and guidance to improve. The Level 3 qualification is awarded through BTEC/Pearson.

 

Anything else? 

There is an events fee charged at the outset of the course. This covers the end of year show, two mandatory trips and the cost of visiting guest lecturers and workshops. You’ll normally spend 4 days a week in college, and benefit from a weekly pastoral session with a student mentor for any additional support.

At Gloucestershire College we want students to develop their English and Maths skills so that they achieve their learning goals and future career aims. For this reason, all full-time students (16-18) who have not achieved grade 4 or above English language or maths GCSE will study these subjects as part of their course.

You’ll also develop additional employability and work-based skills through our Which Three Skills programme.

  • Typical Entry Criteria

    • Five GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above including:

      • GCSE English Language or Literature at Grade 4 and above or GCSE Maths at Grade 4 and above
      • Four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above

    Gloucestershire College welcome any other/combinations of relevant qualifications that are comparable and/or equivalent to the typical course entry requirements.

    For 19+ applicants that do not have recognised qualifications may still meet course entry requirements through alternative methods of assessment at the College’s discretion.

    All queries regarding course entry criteria including the equivalency of qualifications and exceptional extenuating circumstances should be directed by email to the Admissions Department through applications@gloscol.ac.uk.

    Art and Design Level 3 courses require a GCSE in an Art subject OR a strong portfolio.

     

  • The general progression route for our Art and Design (Level 3) programme is:

    Graphic Design (Level 4 and 5) Higher National Certificate/Diploma

    Or

    Photography (Level 4 and 5) Higher National Certificate/Diploma

    Or

    Employment in industry

Shortlist and Apply

Please select the specific course you would like to apply for.

Art and Design

What You Will Pay

Please select a course to see pricing information.

Working in the creative industries is challenging but exciting, and presents all kinds of job opportunities spanning fine arts, graphics, interior design, music, performing arts, photography, radio and television.

Gloucestershire College is part of an elite group of the best arts and media providers in the county. In fact, we’ve got a long history of producing successful students. We are proud of our industry connections with world-renowned and local artists, as well as employers who are actively involved with the College.

Through these links, we are able to provide invaluable work experience through live project briefs and exciting joint events. Trips are embedded throughout our creative courses to inspire you and broaden your experience. In recent years, our students have travelled to Amsterdam, Cannes, London, Milan, New York and Paris with their course.

View Courses
Play Video

Student Stories

Sam Sek

I did one year of sixth form, but I wanted to focus on Art and felt like I'd rather use that skill to my best and focus on things I find more interesting. I prefer how visual it is. There’s a lot of thinking but it’s freer and you can do what you want really. We learn new skills and I like that we have multiple briefs – you don’t get burnt out and bored on one brief. I like how different the briefs are. You can pick one theme and really focus on that. I can put all my personal interests into the brief, so I got to design a poster for a tattoo shop in the style that I’m quite interested in.

Sam Sek

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Ysabelle Leal

I’ve always liked fashion and I knew that college would help me more than sixth form. I need to be more practical, and I knew the college course would help me a lot more than sixth form – and it did! At college you meet a lot of different people, and they inspire me in different ways. It helps me grow by seeing how other people’s minds work. That wouldn't have happened if I’d stayed in my school!

Ysabelle Leal

FASHION, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Brianny Witts

I applied to GC to explore my creativity with the resources that they provide for their arts students. I came to an Open Evening and was very interested and excited so applied straight away. The lecturers are very good at getting the most of me. There are so many materials to choose from and print facilities. I want to be a fashion designer and my second year briefs have allowed me to tailor my work to this goal. If you’re looking to explore your talents in a friendly, well-equipped facility, apply to GC.

Brianny Witts

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus
Kamran Delestan

Going to college was more affordable than going to university, which really appealed to me as I didn’t want lots of debt but would be just as qualified as a university student. I chose the course as I want to be a sound engineer. I could learn more about music generally in the HNC and then specialise this year in my HND, by choosing certain modules to complete. After this course I want to do my top-up year at University of West London and specialise in live sound engineering. The college has already helped me start the application process.

Kamran Delestan

MUSIC, HNC/HND

Gloucester Campus
Crystal Francis

I started studying my A Levels but didn’t enjoy it, so decided to study fashion at GC instead. I feel much more motivated on this course as it’s something I really enjoy and I get a lot of direction from lecturers. On the course we are given a brief but have lots of freedom to do our own thing, and I really enjoy elements such as trend forecasting and marketing. I would say as long as you’re applying to something you really want to do; you’ll get what you need from studying at GC."

Crystal Francis

Extended Diploma Level 3 – Fashion

Cheltenham Campus
Tom Zheng

I did work experience at GC and really liked the vibe, the people and learned a lot. I enjoyed Level 3 Music and wanted to learn more so decided to progress onto the HND. The resources and lectures have been great. I liked the practical activities the most: playing, performing and creating compositions. My dream is to be a live performer and GC has helped me achieve that by educating me on the music business and I’m currently in negotiation with a record label.

Tom Zheng

MUSIC, HND

Gloucester Campus
Laura Ignacio

The best skill I learned at GC was the way of experimenting with everything – I learned to say yes. College really taught me that I can make anything and explore different pathways; it taught me to be adaptable and that I can learn any skill. If I don’t know skills or techniques I have the tools here to learn them really fast. I could learn about set design, and I could learn about sculpting at the same time, and I can learn about painting at the same time, and learn every single one of those skills very well.

Laura Ignacio

ART AND DESIGN - LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Vin Blick

I was in bands throughout school and did live sound engineering at local festivals and pubs with friends. I chose my course because I’m hoping to be a live sound engineer – and I’d definitely recommend college if you want to go into production or performance. I’ve formed great relationships with my lecturers and you get so much knowledge and understanding of the industry. I’ve learnt so many new skills, and got a great understanding of how to set up sound equipment, using the spaces and the equipment you have to make the best sound.

Vin Blick

MUSIC PRODUCTION, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus

Facilities

Art Rooms

Art Rooms

Our art rooms are spacious areas for students to explore their creativity and express themselves. Across our campus, they have large windows overlooking our campuses or the countryside while allowing natural light through. You’ll find tools and materials such as paints, brushes, canvases, sculpting clay, and other supplies with display areas for showcasing completed works of art.

Drama Room Theatre

Drama Room Theatre

We have several fully equipped theatres with industry-standard facilities, including full lighting rigs, sound systems, projection facilities, and space for an audience of up to 300 people. They allow students space to practice and perform all year round for both technical and performance-based performing arts students.

Recording and Music Studios

Recording and Music Studios

We have several fully equipped theatres with industry-standard facilities, including full lighting rigs, sound systems, projection facilities, and space for an audience of up to 300 people. They allow students space to practice and perform all year round for both technical and performance-based performing arts students.

Dance Studios

Dance Studios

Our dance studio at Gloucester Campus is designed for rehearsals and performances. Here you’ll find a sprung floor to absorb the shock and friction of movement, a full-length wall of mirrors, a ballet beam, and a sound system for music.

Proud To Be Working With

View Courses

Next Steps

Find out more

Check the progress of your application and find out everything you need to know about the application and enrolment process at GC.

Open Events & Campus Tours

Join us for our next event and check us out for yourself. We hold Open Evenings several times a year where you can explore our campuses, meet the teaching teams and explore life at GC.

Application FAQs

Check out some of our most frequently asked admissions questions or get in touch with the team.