Digital Arts and Graphic Design - Level 3 (UAL Extended Diploma)

This exciting and challenging two-year course combines practical learning with theoretical study into a range of design disciplines. You will develop a portfolio that reflects your individuality and creative strengths using the extensive variety of graphic techniques that are taught.

What will I learn on this course?

• Practical, Technical and Creative Skills
• Drawing for Digital Media
• Professional Presentation
• Contextual theories of Art and Design

Our remarkable design studio is equipped with Apple Mac computers. On these, you will work with industry standard software applications such as:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Premier Pro

There are opportunities to engage with a range of dynamic briefs from branding and identity to advertising and editorial design. We have strong links to local businesses and employers which offers opportunities to undertake a range of live briefs while studying on the course.

How is this course taught?

Teaching methods vary from small group exercises, whole class teaching and one-to-one guidance. You will be required to continue with projects independently and it is expected that there will be 10-12 hours independent study undertaken each week. This will be a combination of supervised study hours at College and work at home.

What can I do with this qualification?

Successful completion of this course can lead to higher education or employment in the design industry.

The work on the course is project/assignment based, and assessment is continuous throughout the course. The units in the first two terms are assessed at Pass grade only.

The final unit is awarded a grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction. This unit is achieved through a personal proposal and exhibition and decides the overall grade for the qualification.

How many UCAS points will I achieve on this course?

Our level 3 vocational courses qualify for UCAS tariff points to apply for university in the same way as A-Levels. This course is an UAL extended diploma which is delivered over two years and you could achieve up to 168 UCAS points (which is equivalent to three A* grades at A-Level).

UAL extended diplomas are graded as a pass, merit or distinction (with distinction being the highest grade).

The following table gives some examples on the amount of UCAS points you can achieve on a UAL extended diploma:

| UAL grade | UCAS Points |
| --- | --- |
| D | 168 |
| M | 120 |
| P| 72 |

You can find more details and examples on the UCAS tariff points calculator here.

You will need:

• 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or higher, including English, Maths and a relevant creative-based subject

Or:

• A relevant Level 2 qualification at Merit or Distinction standard studied at CWA or another further education provider
• English and maths GCSEs at grade 4 or higher

You will be invited to an informal interview to help ensure the course is right for you. You will need to bring a portfolio of your creative work for the course team to look at. This is to showcase your creative flair, visual research, ideas and technical skills and can consist of a range of work from different medias such as drawing, painting, photography or 3D design. We really like to see sketchbooks however work can also be presented through photographs.