Art and Design

Level 3

Cheltenham Forest of Dean Gloucester

Course Overview

Full Time
Certificate

Shortlist and Apply

Ideal if: you'd like to explore many areas of art and design before choosing an area in which to specialise.

You'll learn: drawing, fine art, painting and elements of sculpture and surface design, graphic design and illustration, photography, printmaking and contextual studies.

Expect to: develop a great and broad portfolio of work that can support your application to a higher education course, to start your own business or enter employment.

You'll love: dedicated studio space five days a week to work on projects and live assignment briefs. As well as our iMac suites and close links with artists in the industry.

This course covers a broad range of topics relevant to the art and design industry.

This is a level 3 course in art and design that covers a wide range of topics including:

Visual recording
Historical and contextual studies
Materials, techniques and processes
Ideas and concepts
Visual communication
Illustration
3D design
Painting & printmaking
Fashion & textiles
Photography
Sculpture

Gloucestershire College has excellent facilities, and specialised staff with industry experience. You will take part in live assignment briefs and have the chance to be part of a variety of trips.

The College has close links with artists, for example PJ Crook (our honorary Vice President) and Russell Haines and many of our lecturers are also artists within their own right. We forge close links with industry including local galleries and exhibition space for students to show their work. You will enjoy large, light working spaces, a dedicated fashion room at our Cheltenham Campus, print room, darkroom, life drawing studio, photography studio and digital art suites (both Mac and PC).

Typical Entry Criteria
- Five GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above including:
  - GCSE English Language or Literature at Grade 4 and above or GCSE Maths at Grade 4 and above
  - Four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above
Gloucestershire College welcome any other/combinations of relevant qualifications that are comparable and/or equivalent to the typical course entry requirements.
For 19+ applicants that do not have recognised qualifications may still meet course entry requirements through alternative methods of assessment at the College’s discretion.
All queries regarding course entry criteria including the equivalency of qualifications and exceptional extenuating circumstances should be directed by email to the Admissions Department through applications@gloscol.ac.uk.
The general progression route for our Art and Design (Level 3) programme is:

Graphic Design (Level 4 and 5) Higher National Certificate/Diploma

Or

Photography (Level 4 and 5) Higher National Certificate/Diploma

Or

Employment in industry

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Please select the specific course you would like to apply for.

What You Will Pay

Please select a course to see pricing information.

Working in the creative industries is challenging but exciting, and presents all kinds of job opportunities spanning fine arts, graphics, interior design, music, performing arts, photography, radio and television.

Gloucestershire College is part of an elite group of the best arts and media providers in the county. In fact, we’ve got a long history of producing successful students. We are proud of our industry connections with world-renowned and local artists, as well as employers who are actively involved with the College.

Through these links, we are able to provide invaluable work experience through live project briefs and exciting joint events. Trips are embedded throughout our creative courses to inspire you and broaden your experience. In recent years, our students have travelled to Amsterdam, Cannes, London, Milan, New York and Paris with their course.

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Student Stories

I did one year of sixth form, but I wanted to focus on Art and felt like I'd rather use that skill to my best and focus on things I find more interesting. I prefer how visual it is. There’s a lot of thinking but it’s freer and you can do what you want really. We learn new skills and I like that we have multiple briefs – you don’t get burnt out and bored on one brief. I like how different the briefs are. You can pick one theme and really focus on that. I can put all my personal interests into the brief, so I got to design a poster for a tattoo shop in the style that I’m quite interested in.

Sam Sek

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus

I’ve always liked fashion and I knew that college would help me more than sixth form. I need to be more practical, and I knew the college course would help me a lot more than sixth form – and it did! At college you meet a lot of different people, and they inspire me in different ways. It helps me grow by seeing how other people’s minds work. That wouldn't have happened if I’d stayed in my school!

Ysabelle Leal

FASHION, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus

I applied to GC to explore my creativity with the resources that they provide for their arts students. I came to an Open Evening and was very interested and excited so applied straight away. The lecturers are very good at getting the most of me. There are so many materials to choose from and print facilities. I want to be a fashion designer and my second year briefs have allowed me to tailor my work to this goal. If you’re looking to explore your talents in a friendly, well-equipped facility, apply to GC.

Brianny Witts

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus

Going to college was more affordable than going to university, which really appealed to me as I didn’t want lots of debt but would be just as qualified as a university student. I chose the course as I want to be a sound engineer. I could learn more about music generally in the HNC and then specialise this year in my HND, by choosing certain modules to complete. After this course I want to do my top-up year at University of West London and specialise in live sound engineering. The college has already helped me start the application process.

Kamran Delestan

MUSIC, HNC/HND

Gloucester Campus

I started studying my A Levels but didn’t enjoy it, so decided to study fashion at GC instead. I feel much more motivated on this course as it’s something I really enjoy and I get a lot of direction from lecturers. On the course we are given a brief but have lots of freedom to do our own thing, and I really enjoy elements such as trend forecasting and marketing. I would say as long as you’re applying to something you really want to do; you’ll get what you need from studying at GC."

Crystal Francis

Extended Diploma Level 3 – Fashion

Cheltenham Campus

I did work experience at GC and really liked the vibe, the people and learned a lot. I enjoyed Level 3 Music and wanted to learn more so decided to progress onto the HND. The resources and lectures have been great. I liked the practical activities the most: playing, performing and creating compositions. My dream is to be a live performer and GC has helped me achieve that by educating me on the music business and I’m currently in negotiation with a record label.

Tom Zheng

MUSIC, HND

Gloucester Campus

The best skill I learned at GC was the way of experimenting with everything – I learned to say yes. College really taught me that I can make anything and explore different pathways; it taught me to be adaptable and that I can learn any skill. If I don’t know skills or techniques I have the tools here to learn them really fast. I could learn about set design, and I could learn about sculpting at the same time, and I can learn about painting at the same time, and learn every single one of those skills very well.

Laura Ignacio

ART AND DESIGN - LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus

I was in bands throughout school and did live sound engineering at local festivals and pubs with friends. I chose my course because I’m hoping to be a live sound engineer – and I’d definitely recommend college if you want to go into production or performance. I’ve formed great relationships with my lecturers and you get so much knowledge and understanding of the industry. I’ve learnt so many new skills, and got a great understanding of how to set up sound equipment, using the spaces and the equipment you have to make the best sound.

Vin Blick

MUSIC PRODUCTION, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus

Facilities

Art Rooms

Our art rooms are spacious areas for students to explore their creativity and express themselves. Across our campus, they have large windows overlooking our campuses or the countryside while allowing natural light through. You’ll find tools and materials such as paints, brushes, canvases, sculpting clay, and other supplies with display areas for showcasing completed works of art.

Drama Room Theatre

We have several fully equipped theatres with industry-standard facilities, including full lighting rigs, sound systems, projection facilities, and space for an audience of up to 300 people. They allow students space to practice and perform all year round for both technical and performance-based performing arts students.

Recording and Music Studios

Proud To Be Working With

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Next Steps

Find out more

Check the progress of your application and find out everything you need to know about the application and enrolment process at GC.

Open Events & Campus Tours

Join us for our next event and check us out for yourself. We hold Open Evenings several times a year where you can explore our campuses, meet the teaching teams and explore life at GC.

Application FAQs

Check out some of our most frequently asked admissions questions or get in touch with the team.

Art and Design

Course Overview

Entry Requirements

Typical Entry Criteria

Five GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above including:

GCSE English Language or Literature at Grade 4 and above or GCSE Maths at Grade 4 and above

Four other GCSE subjects at Grade 4 and above

What's Next?

Shortlist and Apply

What You Will Pay

Student Stories

Sam Sek

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus

Facilities

Art Rooms

Drama Room Theatre

Recording and Music Studios

Proud To Be Working With

View Courses

Next Steps

Find out more

Open Events & Campus Tours

Application FAQs