Art & Design Practice Extended Diploma

Course information

If you love Art and Design; you get excited about finding creative solutions to problems, enjoy working with your hands, investigating why and how other artists’ and designers’ work, then this is the course for you.

The Level 3 Extended Diploma Art and Design is an exciting two year course; in the first year you are encouraged to explore all areas of the arts, to achieve the Diploma. You will begin to determine your specialist pathways when you progress onto the Extended Diploma, in the second year. At the start of each year you are allocated your own studio space, which you can make your own and use as a base throughout the year.

In the first year you will take part in a wide range of practical workshops in our studios, in order to develop your skills in drawing, painting, working with mixed media, graphics and digital media, textiles, printmaking, ceramics, photography and 3 dimensional work. Projects and workshops are linked to relevant creative careers, to help you understand where your skills might be used, in the creative industries. The year is completed with a Final Project and a Summer Exhibition.

The second year is an opportunity for you to decide on your specialist pathway, such as Fashion, Textiles, Photography, Fine Art, Graphic Design etc. All the work you have done to date is organised into a portfolio, either for job and apprenticeship applications, or university entrance via UCAS. Focused support for progression is given throughout the Autumn term, whilst practical projects continue to provide opportunities for you to take greater responsibility for your own practice, including decision making and time management. There will be an emphasis on projects negotiated between you and your tutors. This year culminates in an extensive Final Major Project, which is exhibited in the Summer Exhibition.

Underpinning all aspects of the course is an engaging programme of contextual studies and you will take part in gallery and location visits, written assignments and tutorials throughout the course, as well as relevant work experience, employer-led projects, commissions and exhibitions.

What You Will Learn

During this two year course you will not only learn new skills and techniques, you will also learn things about yourself as an artist, designer and as an individual. What are you passionate about? What do you want your art to communicate? How can you fit your creative skills into a job that you love? You will leave with the skills needed to become part of the fastest growing area of the UK economy.

“The Creative Industries contribute £111.7 billion gross valued added to the UK economy… which is greater then the automotive, aerospace, life sciences and oil and gas industries combined.” https://www.creativeindustriesfederation.com/statistics

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for external applicants and school leavers
• Four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including English and/or Maths, or successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification.
• Functional Skills Level 2 in English and/or Maths will be considered as alternatives to GCSE, but a GCSE resit may be required depending on grade.

Entry requirements for existing learners with the Cornwall College Group
• Successful completion of previous course and maths and/or English at GCSE Grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 2.

You will need Four GCSEs at grade C or 4, including English or Mathematics. We also accept equivalent qualifications e.g. a completed Level 2 Diploma.

It is helpful if you have studied an Art or Design based subject prior to coming to this course (graphics, textiles, art, photography, product design) but not essential. It is more important that you have a passion for being creative and a willingness to try new techniques and processes, and explore and experiment and see what you are capable of.

Assessment

Assessment takes place through on going formative assessments, ( when constructive advice is given to help you improve) throughout the two years and two summative assessments ( final graded mark and feedback ) in Year 1 and two summative assessments in Year 2.

The work is 100% marked internally and the work is then externally moderated via a standards verification process. There are no external exams.

Progression

Internal progression at Cornwall College:
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
BA (Hons) Art & Design Practice

Our students often progress straight onto degree courses in a variety of disciplines. In the past our learners have progressed onto degree courses in Fashion, Fashion Illustration, Pattern Cutting, Fashion merchandising, Illustration, Fine Art, Game Art, Digital Animation, Sculpture, Graphic Design, Textile Design, Games Design, Press and Editorial Photography and Fine Art Photography, in universities all over the country.

Alternatively, some learners have set up their own freelance small businesses alongside other paid work, or looked for apprenticeships in the creative industries.

Cornwall College Camborne

Cornwall College Camborne

Our Camborne campus has served as a vocational training hub for nearly a century. The iconic Tamar tower and the ‘big top’ that covers our construction and engineering provision, are landmarks known throughout the area. This legacy, combined with an exciting modernisation programme, has made Cornwall College Camborne the home of cutting edge facilities, dynamic learning experiences and fantastic student spaces. Open and modern learning areas, electric vehicle training labs, esports gaming facilities, chill out areas, an award-winning restaurant and plenty more besides, makes this the perfect place to have your #careercollege experience.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

Find out more about our Camborne campus

Events

Open Event

Bicton College

Open Event at Bicton College

• 18 Jan 25
• 26 Apr 25

Open Event Taster Event

Cornwall College Camborne

Open Event & Taster at Camborne Campus

• 8 Feb 25
• 8 May 25