UAL Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication
Advanced Level 3
Awarding Body: UAL
The UK creative industries were worth a record £126 billion to the UK economy in 2022. Growth in the creative industries was higher than in any other UK industry and was three times the average increase in the UK economy during this period.
This course is for those who have a strong interest in the Visual Arts. It provides an exciting opportunity to explore architecture, fashion, photography, graphics, product and interior design, textiles, fine art, animation. Studying the UAL qualification at St Charles Sixth Form College is the first step to becoming part of the UK creative industries. The skills you will be taught as an Art student at St Charles will prepare you for a diverse range of pathways – whether you want to be a Vehicle Designer, Architect, or an Illustrator, St Charles can help you to prepare for the next step and begin your creative career path.
The General entry requirements for Advanced Vocational Programme courses are five GCSEs at grade 4 and above (4-9), including English Language.
Grade 4 or MM Extended Certificate L2 in Art & Design
Unit 1 The Creative Process & Unit 2 Developing Creative Practice
Portfolio of evidence:
- Demonstrates all learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
- Internally set, internally graded and subject to quality assurance by UAL Awarding Body
Unit 3 Responding to a set brief
Graded synoptic assignment:
- Demonstrates students’ ability to use their knowledge, understanding and skills gained from Unit 1 and Unit 2, to complete a project set by the centre.
- Internally set, internally graded and subject to external moderation
Unit 4 Researching a Specialist Industry Practice & Unit 5 Specialist Technical Skills Development
Portfolio of evidence:
- Demonstrates all learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
- Internally set, internally graded and subject to quality assurance by UAL Awarding Body
Unit 6 Specialist Creative Outcome
Graded synoptic project:
- Demonstrates students’ ability to use their knowledge, understanding and skills gained from across the entire qualification, to complete a self‑initiated project
- Internally set, internally graded and subject to external moderation
In the first year of study you will explore a range of 2D and 3D techniques with 3 x units of study, before specialising in the second year in your chosen pathways, completing your Creative Practice with a Final Major Project at the end of the Course.
- Unit 1 The Creative Process
- Unit 2 Developing Creative Practice
- Unit 3 Responding to a set brief
- Unit 4 Researching a Specialist Industry Practice
- Unit 5 Specialist Technical Skills Development
- Unit 6 Specialist Creative Outcome
Students joining us at St Charles will benefit from the use of large, well-lit studio spaces to work in, along with industry standard Mac Suites, and facilities which include a Lasercutter, Kiln, Heat-press, Screen-printing Suite and a newly installed Photography Dark-room. As part of the curriculum student's studies are enhanced by termly trips and visits, along with industry led talks and the opportunity to partake in work placements.
After completing the UAL you are well positioned to apply directly to university to study an arts based degree or a Foundation course. In the past 3 years 100% of students that have chosen to continue to study on an arts based course at a higher level have been successful in an application.
The department has built links with many leading creative universities, and many students gain places at prestigious institutions such as University of the Arts London Colleges (Central Saint Martins, CCW, LCC LCF), The Royal Drawing School, Ravensbourne, Middlesex, and further afield in Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Newcastle and many more.
The range of specialisms applied for is diverse, but may include Fine Art, Graphic Design, Animation, Architecture, Product Design, Engineering, Fashion Design, Textile Design, Surface Pattern, Photography, Fashion promotion and styling, Marketing and Computer Games Design.
The Art and Design department comprises of 3 teachers and 1 specialist technician with expertise in a wide range of techniques and processes. Department staff have studied and worked at a number of prestigious colleges including; Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, London College of Fashion and The Royal College of Art.
All of the department staff continue in their own practice, engaging with contemporary art and design – this includes the following areas; Ceramics, Photography, Jewellery, Fine Art, Illustration, Graphic Design, Product design and Interior Accessories and Games Design.
Head of Department is Claire Hemsley. If you have any further questions regarding the courses within Art and Design and Photography please contact her either via email chm@stcharles.ac.uk or via the main switchboard 0208 968 7755.
