Art & Design - Access to Higher Education - Creative Arts Pathway

This course is open to all students who are over 19, with particular emphasis on those with an interest in Art and Design and who wish to study within this area at degree course level.

This is a one-year course with excellent progression opportunities at both local and national universities and internally to the College’s own degree programmes. Although the course offers no specific placement opportunities, we have links with alternate creative organisations allowing opportunity to participate in live exhibitions throughout the year.

An ideal candidate will possess a passion for Art and Design acquired through their personal interests or commercial activities in this field.

The course is structured into a series of practical and theory-based assignments that aim to extend your knowledge, understanding and creative abilities in the area of art and design.

Initial workshops will introduce you to diverse ways of working, exploring creative applications to include drawing, printmaking, mixed-media, 3D and painting, before undertaking more independent assignment topics to assist with independent idea generation within your chosen specialist pathway.

Alongside practical studio days, you will learn about the history of Art and Design via theory sessions, which will also provide opportunity to develop your skills in academic writing and Harvard Referencing.

Weekly Study Skills session will allow you to manage and organise your time effectively, as well as introducing you to effective learning strategies to assist with Higher Education. Within these sessions, support and guidance will also be provided with HE applications, interview preparation and portfolios.

The year will culminate with a Final Major Project exhibition that will allow you to showcase your new found skills in a professional environment.

The course involves a variety of assessment techniques including practical work, written assignments and oral and visual presentations.

Art & Design: Ideally you will have GCSE grade C or Level 2 in English Language or above before joining the course in September but you may be allowed to do an English GCSE alongside your Access course based on a College literacy skills test.

A passion and interest in an Art and Design related subject is essential, along with an art related portfolio/examples of work to be presented during the interview process.

This course will allow you to progress on to our HNC/HND in Art & Design (Fine Art) at Wakefield College or other degree courses in Art and Design at both local and national universities and other Higher Education institutions.

Should you wish to apply, please note that most Universities will expect GCSEs in Maths and/or English depending on your chosen subject.