AS/A Level Art Craft & Design
The AS (Advanced Subsidiary) can be taken as a discrete one year qualification, or as the first half of a full 2-year A Level (A2) in Art, Craft and Design. Both courses are intensive, challenging, but potentially rewarding and enjoyable. The courses offer a valuable experience for people with a keen interest and aptitude in this subject area.
Introduction
The AS (Advanced Subsidiary) can be taken as a discrete one year qualification, or as the first half of a full 2-year A Level (A2) in Art, Craft and Design. Both courses are intensive, challenging, but potentially rewarding and enjoyable. The courses offer a valuable experience for people with a keen interest and aptitude in this subject area.
Entry requirements
Students wishing to study A-levels full-time at Yale College must have 5 GCSE Grade Cs or better including one of English, English Language, Agored English Level 2. Students who achieve 6 Grade Cs or better will be able to confirm their enrolment through our normal processes, however Students with 5Cs will be required to come into Yale to discuss their course with a member of the A-level/Subsid Dip panel.
In addition to the general AS entry criteria, candidates should have grade C or above in GCSE Art and Design, or an equivalent qualification to take the AS course. For A2 candidates it is desirable to have a grade C or above at AS Level.
Course Content
AS students learn to work with a wide range of media, techniques and approaches for Unit 1 the Portfolio unit and Unit 2 an Externally Set Assignment Exam. The aim is to offer individuals a carefully structured general programme of study selected from 2 of the following areas:-
- Fine Art (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking)
- Textile Design
- Graphic Communication
- Three-Dimensional Design
- Photography: lens-based and light -based media.
The study of contemporary and historical designers, artists and craftspeople plays an important part in both the AS and A2 Level courses, and provides a major source of inspiration for practical studio work. First hand study of artefacts is experienced through visits to galleries, museums and places of interest. There may also be opportunities to participate in workshops run by practising artists.
A2 Level students must complete Unit 3 - Personal Investigation and Unit 4 - an Externally Set Assignment. All work is based on Personal Study, involving in-depth personal investigation written and illustrated in a topic related to their studio work.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS
The course provides opportunities to develop and accredit Essential and Wider Skill Wales in Improving Own Learning and Performance and Communication at Level 3.
Career Opportunities
AS and A2 Level Art, Craft and Design can be studied for its own sake or can lead to further training and a career related to the subject. It is also valid for those who may not wish to pursue a future in Art, Craft or Design, but who intend to follow a university degree course in a different subject. The study of Art can also help develop transferable skills, useful in any career or job.
Careers could include:-
Graphic Design/Illustration, Stage Design and Costume, Fashion and Textiles, Teaching, Architecture, A/V Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, the Museum Service, Fine Art, Product Design.
Assessment
The AS and A2 Level qualifications are awarded by AQA, and are internally marked by the centre and externally moderated by the AQA Examining Board. Students are required to submit coursework for assessment both at the end of Year 1 and Year 2. Final grades are determined by dedicated marks awarded to coursework and examination units of assessment.
Course Fees
Full-time students do not pay course or examination entry fees, except in some cases when there are examination re-sits.
Part-time students pay course fees, which are displayed in College publications or are obtainable from Admissions, and examination entry and / or registration fees.
This course information was deemed to be correct at the time of publication, though course modules and content are subject to change by the awarding body.
These programmes are part financed by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government
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