Course Information
AQA Advanced Level Art and Design
The Art, Craft and Design option that we study at the Academy is a general course, allowing you to experience a wide range of approaches to art, in all sorts of media, from drawing and painting, to print-making, 3D work and photography. It builds upon your existing art skills whilst further exploring and expressing personal creativity and inventiveness. The key skills involved are those highly sought after in all areas of employment: creative problem-solving, independent thinking, organisation, and initiative. Assessment is very similar to GCSE, based on development, refinement through experimentation, recording and final response, with a 60%/40% coursework/externally set exam assignment split.
In Year 12, an initial module entitled 'Me, Myself, I' prompts students to think about their physical being, personal interests and how they relate to the wider world via their senses, to create art. This expands into a 'Personal Investigation', for assessment, continuing into year 13, before an externally set assignment.
Assessment
The A Level is assessed in Year 13 on:
Component 1 – Personal investigation (including a written element of 1000 – 3000 words). Work begins on this component early in year 12. You will be expected to thoroughly investigate your area of interest theoretically as well as visually, and study
artists that have explored this theme. You will develop your own style of working as well as exploring methods adopted by other artists. You will complete observational artworks and exploratory works along the way, working towards developing and completing a final piece(s) that should take a sustained amount of time and demonstrate your creative ability as well as a level of skill. Alongside this you will explore the theme in essay form. Themes studied have included Feminist Politics and Archaeology. Your theme will be chosen in conjunction with your teacher based on your interests.
Component 2—Externally Assessed Assignment.
In the Spring term of year 13 you embark upon your externally set assignment. This is generally a reasonably broad theme with a number of suggested starting points. You will then use the skills to produce component 1, your personal portfolio, to investigate the theme, develop your artwork, and produce a final sustained piece which you will complete at the end of the course, in 15 hours, under exam conditions.
Throughout the course your work is reviewed with your teachers in a tutorial style, where you will discuss your creative choices and intentions and advice and suggestions will be given for you to act upon. It is generally expected that you will spend sustained periods on your artwork outside of lesson times. You will also be expected to spend time visiting relevant places, galleries and museums to inform your own practice, as well as visits as a school group.
Transferable Skills
- Analytical skills
- Communication
- Visual and contextual awareness
What can I use this qualification for?
Art and Design will enable you to progress onto university, apprenticeships and employment opportunities. Here are some career choices it could help with:
- Architecture
- Graphic design
