A-LEVELART & DESIGN

AWARD
A-Level in Art, Craft & Design
DURATION
2 Years (Full-Time)
UCAS POINTS
Up to 56 (depending on grade outcome)
CAMPUS
Middlesbrough
COURSE DETAILS
Challenge your creativity, sharpen your skills, and build a strong foundation for a future in the arts. This course combines academic depth with hands-on studio practice.
This two-year A-Level is perfect for students who want to explore the creative arts while keeping future pathways flexible. You’ll develop technical skills, visual awareness, and personal voice through practical work and critical investigation.
You will explore a broad range of materials and techniques including drawing, painting, print-making, photography, mixed media and digital processes. You’ll be encouraged to experiment, take creative risks and develop work that is imaginative, personal and informed by wider cultural and historical contexts.
A key part of the course is the Personal Investigation - an in-depth project where you choose your own theme, explore ideas in depth and produce both practical and written outcomes. This allows you to specialise and build a strong portfolio that reflects your interests and strengths.
Studying A-Level Art & Design at a specialist school gives you access to outstanding facilities, experienced artisttutors and an inspiring creative community. You’ll also have the opportunity to exhibit your work, visit galleries, and explore progression routes into university, art foundation or creative careers.
WHERE COULD IT TAKE YOU?
COURSE INFORMATION
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
- Explore a wide range of practical disciplines and visual research methods
- Learn from experienced educators and practising artists
- Build a portfolio that supports progression to Foundation, HE or employment
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
- 5 GCSEs inc. Maths (9-4/A*-C) & GCSE English Language (9-4/A*-C)
- 1 portfolio of artwork
- Evidence of written work
A-LEVELS
Our A-level students are encouraged to participate in a range of activities to support their understanding of creative arts and their future career and job roles. Students on the A-level pathways have also successfully taken part in national competitions, such as The Knitting & Stitching Show, created video content for the Department of Education and taught online to primary schools. We also think it is really important to explore the issues that impact on our students and recent teaching modules have explored knife crime, environmental issues and art, social media and its impact on mental health.
Our students progress to a wide range of different study and learning, including The University of York, Leeds Arts University, University Arts London, York St John University, Manchester Metropolitan University, as well as The Northern School of Art degree programmes. On the A-level pathway, students also have access to a range of workshops and skills talks provided by practising professionals from across the creative industries as well as higher education and degree-level lecturers - each session provides essential advice and insight into planning for a successful career as a creative professional.
LEARNER HOURS
Our Further Education study programmes are designed to meet the guided learner hours as per their funding bodies.
AWARDING BODY
All students are awarded qualifications under their official A-Level title, as listed in the header.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying here?
It is a excellent college for you if you are creative, expressive and overall looking to work alongside likeminded people in a fun environment.
Aimee Rose Johnson
A-Levels
OUTSTANDING Student Experience
The Northern College of Art had an exceptional history for its further education when formerly known as The Northern School of Art, and Cleveland College of Art and Design prior to that. The institution previously achieved an Ofsted rating of Outstanding in 2009, and held it consecutively across all inspections until the last inspection under the Education Inspection Framework in 2025. The institution is one of only a handful of colleges to make this achievement.
















