Summary

This one-year fulltime programme is an opportunity to take your first steps into the world of creativity, or into mainstream education. We want you to enjoy the discovery of art and design through playful, experimental activities that introduce you to creative pathways you could pursue in the future. You will be taught by practicing professional creative teachers, giving you an authentic and valuable learning experience.

During the programme, you will be making 2D, 3D and time-based work (such as animation or film) as you explore practical making skills. Alongside this, you will be doing some small reflective writings so that we can learn more about what you think of the work you have made and research you have found. You will be assessed with supportive tutorials and written and verbal feedback for each of your projects.

Your programme will end with an opportunity to create a project of your choice, giving you a chance to show off your skills in a selected creative pathway. Then, we’ll celebrate the work you have done with an end of year show with the rest of the school of art!

This Level 1 programme is based at two campuses. Our dynamic and exciting WISE Campus is located within easy reach of the city of Bristol and moments away from Bristol Parkway and Bristol Abbey Wood train stations. Our Stroud campus is in the centre of Gloucestershire and just a short walk from Stroud train station and is easily accessible by bus.

The Study Programme

The core of this programme is awarded by University of the Arts London (UAL). Widely regarded as the providing the best creative qualifications available, UAL enables us to teach flexible, professional programmes that give the most valuable, engaging and industry-ready skills possible. The programme will include support for your English and Maths as you work towards achieving your grade 4 or above at GCSE. There will also be opportunities to do creative work experience and have exciting enrichment sessions that support the growth of your personal and professional skills. Your programme will be further enhanced with valuable, contextualised group tutorials to engage you with the big conversations around happening us.

Who is this programme for?

This might be a good programme for you if you are new to creativity or have barriers to your learning that might significantly affect the way you work. You may also have not achieved many previous qualifications or have been home-schooled and want to get used to mainstream education. You would most likely be aged 14-18.

We’re looking forward to meeting you!

What do I need to join?

As well as having a keen interest in the subject area, you will show us a portfolio of work at an interview or taster day. Your portfolio might include recent, relevant creative work including developmental pieces and sketchbooks, final pieces and writing about the work. You will need to be committed, punctual and demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning and taking on new ideas and skills.

You may or may not have also done English or Maths previously, but in either circumstance we will support your progressing with these subjects.

What can I do next?

Once you complete Level 1, you might move up to our Level 2 Art, Design & Photography programme where you can develop further confidence, more creative awareness and can start considering what kind of creative practices you want to explore more deeply. You may be interested in some of our other creative provisions at Level 2, including Game Design and Music (Stroud only).

By working towards completing your English and Maths in this programme, you will further improve your opportunities to progress to the areas of study you are most interested in.

What are my career options?

In the future, having completed further programmes at Level 3 and above, you might find yourself working in all sorts of creative fields. The skills we teach are highly transferable and revolve around problem solving, critical thinking and practical making. You may work freelance or perhaps as part of a studio or professional organisation. You could be a painter, an illustrator, a photographer, a sculptor, a fashion or textiles designer, an interior designer, a ceramist, a filmmaker or animator, a printmaker, a designer, an architect, a game artist or something else creative altogether. You might even move into teaching, art therapy or curation. There are endless possibilities.