Art & Design (Photography) A Level

A minimum of 4 subjects at grade 5 or above at GCSE plus English Language at grade 4 or above. You should also have a grade 5 or above in either Art, Textiles or Graphics. We will also be happy to look at a portfolio of your work at your guidance discussion, and if you have the potential, will offer you a place.

You will be taught a variety of creative techniques and processes in art, design and photography. Coursework will include the use of camera equipment, studio work, computer software presentation skills, bookmaking, building a portfolio and a digital sketchbook of creative ideas and personal project work.

Your studio coursework and personal practice is contextualised with educational visits to exhibitions of contemporary art.

During the summer term we celebrate your outstanding achievements with a public exhibition of your work at the end of year Creative Show.

Additional costs
You may have to pay for large scale printed photographs.

You will typically be in College four days per week, with lesson style varying according to subject. In-College delivery is supported by online resources, and students develop strong independent learning skills to equip them for their next steps.

In year one there are two coursework units and in year two there are two coursework units. You will receive regular assessment and feedback from your tutors via individual tutorials, group discussion, formally assessed coursework and final summative assessment at the end of each unit.

This course combines well with most other A Levels although students should not study more than two of the Art and Design options as they are coursework-based subjects which require a lot of time and dedication.

Having an A Level in a creative subject is an essential starting point if students want to pursue Art and Design. After completing their A Levels, students can apply to do a one year post-A Level Art and Design Foundation Diploma, apply directly onto higher education degree courses at York College or other institutions, or apply for apprenticeships.

The Foundation Diploma Post Level 3 helps students determine the most appropriate Art and Design degree specialism for them, and is offered at York College. Past students have successfully completed creative degrees at Goldsmiths University of London, Edinburgh College of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University and Slade School of Art.

Having this qualification enables students to progress to a more specialist area within Art and Design such as Animation, Advertising, Fashion Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Special Effects for Cinema, Photography, 3D Product Design, Sculpture, Textiles and more.