About the course

Here at Harlow College we deliver the Ual Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication course. This is the most popular course for creative arts across the country. We offer 3 pathways: Art and Design, Fashion and Photography, but within each pathway are many other specialisms and progression opportunities. Some lessons are taught to all students eg Art and Design History but you will also have bespoke sessions for your pathway in specialist workshops delivered by professional staff.

We are proud of our ceramics studio, 3D workshop, printmaking studio, sewing and pattern cutting room, computer room, photography darkroom and professional photography studios.

ART AND DESIGN

Within the Art and Design Level 3 course at Harlow College we offer the following:

Fine Art pathway: Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media, Digital Illustration, Sculpture, Installation

2D Design pathway: Illustration, Graphic Design, Comics and Graphic Novels, Animation, Concept Art and Character Design, Surface Pattern and Textiles

3D Design Pathway: Architecture, Interior Design, Theatre Design (Set, Costume, Props), Design Crafts, Visual Merchandising, Ceramics.

FASHION

Within the Fashion Level 3 course at Harlow College we offer the following:

Fashion Design: Menswear, Womenswear, Childrenswear, Pattern Cutting and Production. Contour Design.

Costume, Hair wigs and Make up

Fashion promotion, branding and marketing, fashion photography and styling, visual merchandising

Textiles and accessories for fashion

PHOTOGRAPHY

Within the Photography Level 3 course at Harlow College there are a number of specialist pathways including:

Fine Art Photography

Sports Photography

Location photography

Product Photography

Fashion Photography

Pet photography

Reportage

Book making

Photoshop

ALL PATHWAYS

Students can specialise in their chosen career pathway from unit 3 to unit 6 utilising their creative interests and individual skills or may choose to work in a range of specialist disciplines throughout the course.

The course content also includes Art and Design History, contextual studies, careers in the creative industries, environmental issues, ethics and sustainability live briefs and competitions, portfolio preparation and opportunities for work experience.

Entry requirements

Minimum of 4 x GCSEs including English (Literature or Language) at grade 4 or above. You will be expected to show examples of art and design work at interview.

Or Merit for Level 2 Diploma Art and Design.

How much does it cost?

Free to those aged 16-18. If you are aged 19+ you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

There is a range of financial support that you may be entitled to, including: Learner Support funds, grants and bursaries and employer support.

iPad returnable deposit £75.

Studio charge (covers consumable materials used in studios and workshops) £80.

Trips to galleries, exhibitions and universities £100.

Your own art materials/sewing kit – budget for up to £50.

Why study?

Educational visits have included:

Major London museums and galleries including Tate, V&A, Fashion Textile Museum, London Transport Museum, Bankside Gallery, Barbican, Guildhall Museum, Gibberd Gallery.

FASHION

Major London exhibitions at V&A, Fashion Textile Museum and other venues: eg Barbie, Naomi, Marie Antoinette, Gucci, Renegades.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Location trips have included: Colchester Zoo, Rochester Castle, Chatham Docks, Gunpowder Mills, Gibberd Garden.

Major London Museums and galleries including Photographers Gallery, V&A and Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Core modules

Year 1 Diploma:

Unit 1 The Creative Process

Unit 2 Developing Creative Practice

Unit 3 Responding to a set brief

Year 2 Extended Diploma

Unit 4 Researching a specialist industry practice

Unit 5 Specialist technical skills development

Unit 6 Specialist creative outcome

How will I be assessed?

There are no exams in Level 3 Art and Design! The course is delivered across different assignments in specialist studios with professional staff. Coursework is internally assessed and moderated. Units 3 and 6 are internally marked and externally moderated. These summative graded units are known as FMP (Final Major Project).

To be awarded the UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication you are required to achieve a minimum of a Pass grade in the three mandatory units.

The overall grade for the qualification is based on Unit 03: Responding to a set brief and is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

To be awarded the Ual Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication students are required to achieve a minimum of a Pass grade in the six mandatory units.

The overall grade for the qualification is based on Unit 06: Specialist Outcome and is graded Pass, Merit, Distinction.

Where will this course take me?

ALL PATHWAYS

Diploma/Extended Diploma: the qualifications provide the necessary industry relevant skills, knowledge and understanding to access appropriate entry level roles, training programmes or apprenticeships in the creative sector, or apply for progression to related higher education courses. We are enthusiastic about live briefs and competitions and have sculptures designed by students as part of Harlow Sculpture Town and at EHAAT (Essex and Herts Air Ambulance) hangers in Colchester and North Weald. We designed artwork for PAH Hospital and have our end of year exhibition at the Gibberd Gallery.

ART AND DESIGN
Students progress to a wide range of destinations including fine art, illustration, costume design, ceramics, architecture and interior design.

FASHION

Students have found employment in the following roles:

All Saints – merchandise allocator

ASOS – fashion buyer’s assistant

River Island- head office

Top shop – deputy brand manager

Grazia UK magazine – fashion intern

Harpers Bazaar magazine – fashion intern

Students also go on to set up their own businesses.

PHOTOGRAPHY

If you want to get hands on practical training in professional photography skills then look no further!

This course requires no prior knowledge of photography, and teaches you professional manual skills, in a variety of photographic fields, including commercial and editorial, fine art, and medical/forensic photographic specialisms. The course provides students with access to professional facilities including our studios, Photoshop, and the darkroom; where you will complement your digital practice with analogue skills.

Whatever your interest, we will help you find a direction in photography, and give you opportunities to gain real experience as a working photographer, exhibiting and publishing work through our many work experience contacts including the Essex Book Festival, Harlow Pride, and the Gibberd Gallery.

Students have graduated and gone onto their first choice university places, starting small businesses, working in the industry, and some in careers as a sports photographer or photographer in the armed forces.

ALL COURSES

Most Diploma students progress to Ual Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice Art, Design and Communication Year 2.

As part of your main course of study you will explore career opportunities within the creative industries and appropriate progression routes.

Aspirational Jobs

ART AND DESIGN

• Architect
• Interior Designer
• Fine Artist
• Illustrator
• Theatre or Costume Designer

FASHION

• Fashion Designer
• Fashion Buyer
• Costume Designer
• Fashion Stylist
• Marketing Manager

PHOTOGRAPHY

• Fashion Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Fine Artist
• Photo Library Assistant
• Photography Teacher

Will I have to provide anything?

Photography – you will need your own digital SLR camera.