“I have received lots of encouragement and I have had many opportunities to experience what work is like in my chosen career.”
Sarah Pottinger, 18

Art and Design

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Entry Requirements

Normal BSFC entry criteria for an AS programme of study including a Grade C or above in GCSE Art & Design. Exceptionally, some students with GCSE Technology qualifications or those with proven skills in Art and Design might be considered for an advanced course, but only after discussion with the Head of Subject

About the Subject

There are 3 AS / A2 Art & Design Courses available:

Fine Art

A course for students wanting to explore areas of painting, drawing and mixed media. Potentially a rich and varied course

Textiles

A course that will involve students in drawing, painting and mixed media work as well as textiles. Printing, hand and machine embroidery, appliqué and silk painting are just some of the techniques used on the course.

Graphics

A course that will involve students in traditional graphics and illustration techniques, such as drawing,
painting and photography, as well as CAD using apple mac computers and software such as Adobe
Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

AS Year

Assessment
Unit		 Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of Exam
/ Assessment		 Weighting
in AS		 Weighting
in A2
Unit 1 Coursework
(Sept to February)
 		 Internal with
external
moderation
 		 November and
February
 		 60% 35%
Unit 2 Exam
(to include a five
hour final piece)
 		 Internal with
external
moderation
 		 May / June 40% 20%

A2 Year

Assessment
Unit		 Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of Exam /
Assessment		 Weighting in
A2
Unit 3 Coursework Internal with
external
moderation
 		 November 30%
Unit 4 Exam
(to include a 15 hour final
work)
 		 Internal with
external
moderation
 		 February 20%

 

General Information

Students on all courses will follow the same course structure and assessment timetable.

Coursework is broken down in to 4 stages:

Observations

Students will start coursework by producing drawings, paintings, collages, photographs etc. in response to a theme.

Critical Studies

Students will select the work of other artists to inspire and inform their own work. Guidance and support will be provided to ensure that students develop the analysis and written skills needed.

Idea Development

Students will be expected to explore a number of different ideas for final work, experimenting with composition, scale and a range of appropriate media, materials and techniques during this stage of the coursework.

Final Work

During the AS course, students will not always be expected to produce a completed final piece – a final idea with a representative section completed will be sufficient for 2 out of 3 of the Units. At A2 level, however, students will be expected to produce 15 hour final pieces for all practical Units.

Unit 5 – 3000 word Personal Study

Students can select a topic for discussion connected with any area of Art, Craft or Design that they find interesting. This Unit builds on the critical analysis skills developed during the AS year of the course.

What Next?

An Art & Design AS or A2 will support the development of the creative, analytical, and evaluation skills necessary for success in a broad range of careers. Many BSFC students do, however, pursue higher level Art & Design training and seek employment in the creative industries, one of the largest sector employers in the UK.

Students either apply to study a higher level qualification direct from college or, more usually, complete a 1 year Art & Design Foundation Course to help them to decide which specialist qualification to apply for