UAL LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMAART & DESIGN

AWARD

UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication

DURATION

2 Years (Full-Time)

UCAS POINTS

Up to 168 (depending on grade outcome)

CAMPUS

Middlesbrough

COURSE DETAILS

Experiment, explore and define your creative identity. This dynamic course is designed for artists, makers and visual thinkers ready to take their skills to the next level.

This two-year course offers a broad and inspiring foundation in visual arts and design. Perfect for students who enjoy working across different media and want to explore multiple creative pathways before specialising, it’s a space to challenge yourself, build your confidence, and refine your ideas.

You will work across drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, photography, 3D and digital media - learning how to develop your ideas from concept to final outcome. Through exciting project briefs and creative challenges, you’ll build a diverse portfolio that reflects your style, ambition and strengths.

You will also visit galleries, hear from visiting artists and designers, and take part in workshops and exhibitions that expand your understanding of the creative industries. The course culminates in a final major project and public summer show where your work is professionally displayed.

Our expert tutors - many of whom are practising creatives - will support you every step of the way, preparing you for university, foundation study or employment in the arts.

WHERE COULD IT TAKE YOU?

COURSE INFORMATION

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

  • Explore a wide range of art and design disciplines before specialising
  • Work in specialist studios with access to ceramics, printmaking and photography
  • Build a portfolio that supports progression to HE or creative careers
  • Learn from practising artists and designers

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • 4 GCSEs (9-4/A*-C)  – (if you have maths/english at grade D/3 you would be required to work towards grade C/4 for these qualifications alongside your course)
  • 1 portfolio of artwork

LEARNER HOURS

Our Further Education study programmes are designed to meet the guided learner hours as per their funding bodies.

AWARDING BODY

This diploma is validated by the UAL Awarding Body, part of University of the Arts London and the UK’s leading provider of creative qualifications at FE level. The Northern College of Art is an approved centre for UAL Awarding Body qualifications. All students are awarded qualifications under their official UAL Awarding Body titles.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

What do you enjoy most about your course?

You get the freedom and flexibility to create whatever you want and use any variety of materials and disciplines throughout your coursework. I enjoy a lot of the different workshops we complete, allowing us to find our own specialisms and move forward with the work that inspires us and interests us the most, instead of sticking to a rigid curriculum.

Carrie Corbin
Level 3 Art & Design

IMAGE GALLERY

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.

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