Course description
This course is the UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication.
This two-year course is for creatives who want to learn how to build, push, develop and master their creative skills.
On this course, you will be introduced to—and will develop skills using—a wide range of materials, including traditional materials, techniques, and processes. Also encouraged is the exploration of some more non-traditional techniques that you may not be so familiar with, such as:
- Printmaking
- Textiles
- 3D printing
- Digital Art
- Sculpture
- Ceramics
- Drawing
- Painting
- Metal work
- Laser Cutting
- Prop making
- Photography
We embrace learning and making mistakes, whilst we work together to identify your future goals in the first year. In the second year, we challenge and direct your learning to help you reach your individual goals.
Students leaving the course will have gained the skills, industry requirements, and a portfolio of work that will enable them to apply for universities, apprenticeships or creative roles in the industry.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Minimum of four or more GCSEs at grade 4 or above (A*–C), preferably including English language and usually maths, or a national award in art and design, a first diploma in art and design at merit or above, plus GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above.
You will need to share a portfolio of art, design or craft work, and you may need to complete an internal assessment.
You will have the opportunity to discuss with us:
- Portfolio containing artwork from school (sketchbooks)
- Drawings and paintings from observation (including both black and white and colour)
- 3D work (photos of these are acceptable)
- Digital work (printed or saved on a memory stick)
- Work completed outside of school/ college e.g. photographs, drawings, paintings.
- Artwork that you have fully analysed and/or a written study of a piece of artwork.
All students have their literacy and numeracy needs supported within the programme.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
The majority of students completing this qualification may progress into employment or training.
The qualification will support you to develop a portfolio of work, enabling you to make applications to appropriate entry-level roles, training programmes, apprenticeships, or self-employment.
The qualification will prepare you for a wide range of careers in the creative industries and related subjects, depending on your chosen specialism, but could include employment opportunities in areas such as:
- Interactive arts
- Graphic communication
- Advertising and Marketing
- Fashion / textile design
- Three-dimensional design
- Photography / lens-based media
- Media
- Curation and exhibition management
- Fine art
Training Course Content
This course gives students an in-depth introduction to the creative industries, along with a broad foundation of related knowledge, skills, and attributes associated to the creative process.
The UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design, and Communication further develops a student's knowledge of the creative industries, allowing them to explore and select a specialist practice focus, and develop skills and knowledge central to supporting and sustaining an individualised specialist creative career.
The qualifications are suitable for students who have an interest in creative arts or a related subject who wish to explore and extend this interest via a full-time or part-time, immersive learning experience.
The objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:
1 Develop the knowledge, skills and attributes associated with the creative process and creative practice.
2 Gain confidence, knowledge and understanding of 2D, 3D and 4D materials, methods, techniques and processes.
3 Gain confidence, knowledge and understanding of a specialist practice and the materials and processes associated to it.
4 Generate ideas, solve problems, and produce creative outcomes that explore and communicate clear and individualised intentions and purpose.
5 Effectively use a reflective practice to take responsibility for their own learning, development, decision making and progression.
6 Take responsibility for the research, planning, time and actions required to access vocational and educational progression opportunities.
7 Professionally present themselves and their work.
8 Gather a thorough and in-depth knowledge of the creative industries and their aspirational career path within it.
In the first year of this course, you will study for the Diploma. Once that Diploma is successfully achieved, you will be invited to continue on to complete the full Extended Diploma in the second year of the course.
Please note: Fees will apply if you are 19+ at the beginning of your studies and have previously completed a Level 3 qualification or are 24 and above. All fees are charged on a yearly basis. Please see our Fees Policy for further details or get in touch to discuss your options!
Course delivery details
Students will also have the opportunity to develop transferrable skills, making them versatile and employable individuals whilst learning the importance and application of ethical and sustainable design principles, as well as developing a rich contextual knowledge and understanding of their specialist vocational area and individualised visual language.
The full two-year qualification contains the following units:
Unit 01:
The Creative Process In this unit, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the creative process as a creative tool used and adapted by professionals across a full spectrum of creative practices. Students will explore the stages of the creative process though a practical learning journey where they will apply their knowledge of the creative process to generate ideas for creative pursuit.
Unit 02
: Developing Creative Practice This unit requires students to gain knowledge of a range of 2D, 3D and 4D creative practices and explore and use materials, methods, techniques and processes in a safe and professional manner. Students will then apply this learning to their own developing creative practice and enable them to refine their vocational ambitions.
Unit 03:
Responding to a set Brief This synoptic unit requires students to draw on learning acquired during Units 1 and 2 in the resolution of a creative problem outlined by a set brief. Students will learn how to manage and fulfil the expectations of an exciting and industry relevant project brief. They will be required to propose, plan, experiment, explore, develop, produce and present an original solution in response to the brief.
Unit 04:
Researching a Specialist Industry Practice In this unit students are required to dive into the creative industries, identifying the sectors and specific roles that ignite their vocational ambitions. Students are required to explore how the creative process is adapted and used by existing practitioners within their chosen field, cementing their learning through the application of specialist practice theory to practical activities. This unit offers students the chance to clarify and define their creative career intentions and focus their future development and progression routes.
Unit 05:
Specialist Technical skills Development This unit allows students the opportunity to fully interrogate the materials, processes, safety measures and technical skills associated with a specialist practice. Students are expected to use these skills to investigate and identify creative solutions to problems and produce specialist outcomes that reference personal and contextual influences. Students will also gain a developed understanding of ethical design principles – principles essential for progression into their chosen specialist industry.
Unit 06:
Specialist Creative Outcome This synoptic unit requires students to draw on learning from across the entire qualification to propose, plan and fully realise a self-directed, individualised, specialist practice project. Students will be required to identify and propose a thematic enquiry, evidencing a clear grounding in a selected specialist practice and knowledge of a specified audience or consumer. Students will apply the materials, methods, techniques and processes associated to their specialist practice and develop industry relevant outcomes that support progression towards a career in the creative industries.
UAL Awarding Body believes in transformative education. They design and award creative qualifications that empower and inspire educators to help students reach their potential.
UAL Awarding Body is regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation and currently offers qualifications in Art and Design, Fashion Business and Retail, Creative Media Production and Technology, Music Performance and Production and Performing and Production Arts. They are also the UK's leading provider of the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. Their qualifications have high retention and achievement rates because they are flexible, responsive and relevant to industry needs, and facilitate student progression.
Activate Learning
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group that aims for far-reaching, progressive change and impact through learning. We work with learners as individuals, helping them make the choice of course and career pathway that’s right for them. Our mission is to provide work-ready talent for business, and...