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Key details

Course areas
A LevelsArt and Design
Student types
16 - 18 coursesA Levels
Course type
A Level course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
25 Stoney Street 25 Stoney Street, Nottingham, NG1 1LP
Course code
Parent course code:C000450 Child course code: Q000528
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Course introduction

If you’re creative, want to improve your artistic practice and enhance your technique in different artistic forms, this course is for you!

This is a very hands on practical course where you will learn essential 2D and 3D skills in art and design. You will also be expected to complete your own research into artists and artwork analysis in your sketchbooks throughout your two years.

You’ll receive a 6-week induction programme at the beginning of the first year before moving on to develop your 2D skills in both Fine Art, such as painting and drawing, as well as illustration and Graphics. You will be taught 3D skills and work on a sculptural head project also in your first year.

In the second year, the focus shifts to developing a personal practical portfolio of work along with a written related study, where you will study and analyse the work of other artist or designers.

A Level Art and Design is taught at Nottingham College’s designated art and design campus within a former lace mill at 25 Stoney Street. We have a large open plan studio/ teaching area to work in where the majority of teaching and studio practice takes place. In addition, we have projects that are taught in the separate ceramics studio. A fully equipped print room is also used for screen printing and all relief types of print making. Further 3D specialist workshops are also housed in the building. An Art materials shop is housed on the ground floor of the building.

The tutors are practising artists and have links to industry. We have links with artist studio groups and galleries. We encourage students to exhibit their work in exhibitions or competitions that are relevant, such as The Young Creatives Awards.

We aim to visit London Art Galleries for study and inspiration at least once a year. In the past these have been Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the Royal Academy, London. We also encourage you to visit Nottingham art galleries such as Nottingham Contemporary.

You will study this course alongside 2 or 3 other A Levels and you will be able to select your chosen subjects when you apply online.

Depending on your chosen career path, A Level Art and Design can be accompanied by a range of A Level subjects. For a career in architecture we recommend you choose maths and a science subject alongside Art and Design. English and photography are good choices if considering an artistic path and for careers in art therapy, psychology can be an excellent choice.

You can speak with our tutors or our careers team for any advice once you’ve applied.

A student pointing at a picture with a gallery behind her

You will be encouraged to participate in a 30-hour work placement while you are studying.

Find out more here

Course information

2 years

OCR A Level Art and Design

To study 3 A Levels you’ll need at least 5 GCSE’s at grades 9-4 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above.

To study 4 A Levels you’ll need at least 6 GCSE’s at grades 9-7 including GCSE English and Maths at grade 7 or above.

One of your GCSEs must be a Grade 4 or above in GCSE Art and Design or GCSE Textiles. If you have not previously studied Art and Design or Textiles you will need to show us a portfolio of your relevant work.

The programme of study is for 2 years, and you will be expected to be achieving a minimum of grade D in all subject assessments by the end of year one to progress to your second year.

Applicants with predicted GCSE grades below the entry requirement for an A Level:

If your predicted grades do not meet the entry requirements for either 1 or 2 of your chosen A Level subject choices, don’t worry we will still make you a conditional offer. We advise that you think about a second choice of course as a back-up plan. You can meet with us for a supportive, friendly and impartial discussion to look at other courses that Nottingham College has to offer. For more information contact High Pavement Sixth Form admissions by telephone on 0115 9100 100 or email at feadmissions@nottinghamcollege.ac.uk

Coursework accounts for 60% of the A Level mark. An externally set exam paper from OCR makes up the further 40% of the Art and Design A Level award.

Successful completion course gives you direct entry to art and design degrees. Fine art, illustration, architecture, interior design, graphics etc. are well established routes for our students. For those students wishing to extend their portfolio, the Art and Design Foundation Diploma Level 4 at Nottingham College is also a popular progression route. You can also choose to follow with further studies on a higher education course in fine art, graphic design, textile design or 3D design.

There are lots of careers open to you such as fashion designer, graphic designer, illustrator, interior designer or textile designer.

Essential equipment: 2 sketchbooks in the first year, 3 sketchbooks in the second year. Set of drawing pencils. The department provides equipment at the moment.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Gallery

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Artists

Potential Earnings

£64,650.85

Average Earnings

£34,571.20

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Architecture and Planning

People in these occupations design construction projects, prepare technical drawings and blueprints, survey land, and plan land use.

Art, Performance and Design

People in these occupations create art and fine craftwork, produce and perform plays and motion pictures, and design graphics and other products.

Skills

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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