Art and Design National Diploma

Art and Design National Diploma
This exciting, creative and demanding two year course is equivalent to 3 A levels and is timetabled for 17 hrs of guided learning per week. The course has a strong vocational emphasis and students normally proceed to a university place or employment on completion; however many students and some universities prefer a foundation studies year in addition. The National Diploma offers the student a broad base of knowledge and skills in Art & Design processes allowing for a degree of personal exploration and creativity. It is open to all learners who wish to pursue a creative career.

What does the course involve?
The course allows you to develop your own ideas and skills creatively. To help you with this we introduce you to lots of new techniques, materials and processes, and take you to a range of galleries and exhibitions to inspire your work. You will also have the opportunity to work with arts professionals and undertake work experience if you choose to.

What will I study?
The course is made up of 17 units; each have specific performance criteria that need to be met by your creative responses.

Learners must complete all 17 units in order to satisfy the criteria for the diploma qualification.

CORE UNITS: Unit 1: Visual Recording in Art and Design, Unit 2: Materials, Techniques and Processes in Art and Design, Unit 3: Ideas and Concepts in Art and Design, Unit 4: Visual Communication in Art and Design, Unit 5: Contextual Influences in Art and Design.

SELECTED UNITS: Painting in Fine Art, Printmaking, Presenting Fine Art work, Developing and Realising Design Craft ideas. Application exploration & realisation in art & design, Generating Fine Art Ideas, Image Manipulation Computer Applications, Personal and Professional Development, Experimental image making in Photography, Mixed media Image making, Exploring specialist techniques, Extending specialist techniques.

The projects have themes for you to interpret individually and can contain a number of elements from a range of units. For example: The Architecture project allows you to explore architectural form contributing to Unit 1, Visual Recording in Art & Design and Unit 5 Contextual Influences in Art & Design. You then go on to develop your ideas through a range of print techniques for Unit 61 Printmaking.

What are the entry requirements for Art and Design National Diploma?
You should only apply for this course if you meet, or expect to meet, the following requirements:-

• You will need either a GCSE grade C or DISTINCTION in BTEC First in Art and Design or a related subject

How is the course assessed?

• Coursework
• Portfolio of evidence
• Presentation

What else do I need to know?
Assessment
The course assignments are assessed by your tutors who will give individual feedback on your work. You will be monitored by staff through the tracking process, and you will have the opportunity to carry out peer and self asessments as well. You will track your own progress through the units in your own tracking booklet, so you know what you need to do to achieve.Due to the high volume of work on this course it is essential that deadlines are met.

What other costs are there?
Supplementary Costs
Band C (£150 - £250)

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do any writing?
Yes you do, the study of art and design requires you research and record your responses to the work of other artists and designers. There are a number of set written assignments and an extended study of 2,000 words. In addition you will be required to annotate and evaluate your own work.

Do I get any help with this?
In addition to support from your lecturers there is academic support available to help you through these assignments.

What is the studio fee for?
Your studio fee pays for paper, basic equipment, specialist sculptural materials, printmaking materials and equipment and contributes to paying for outside speakers.

Do I have to go on trips?
All of the trips run for the course have direct links to the assignments you do. Obviously if you have prior committments we can make exceptions and work around this.

What if I can't afford the trips, studio fee or equipment?
There is financial support available for students with financial difficulties.

What if I fail a unit?
The course is designed so that units covered early in your course, when you are perhaps a litttle inexperienced, are re -visited a number of times. You also have a second chance to add to your work and resubmit at a date agreed with your tutor.

Other Useful Information A presentation about all the art courses available to full-time students at Cirencester College
Exam Board = EDEXCEL

This information is believed to be correct. Cirencester College continually updates and reviews its provision to ensure that it meets the needs of the community. Therefore the right to amend, change or delete learning programmes, accreditation routes or terms and conditions relating to entitlement to study is reserved at all times. We aim to provide open access to a comprehensive range of high quality education and training for the whole community over the age of 16 regardless of race, class, belief, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability, previous educational attainment or particular circumstances.