Visual Arts Further and Higher Education Guide

Fine Art Textile Art Photography

The UK Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has produced a widely-quoted definition of the creative industries as:

“those industries which have their origin in individual creativity, skill and talent and which have a potential for wealth and job creation through the generation and exploitation of intellectual property.”

The current DCMS definition recognises eleven creative sectors

1. Advertising2. Architecture3. Arts and Antique Markets (including Restoration) 4. Crafts5. Design (including Graphic Design and Illustration) 6. Fashion 7. Photography, Film and Video 8. Publishing (including magasine design and layout)9. Software, Computer Games and Electronic Publishing 10.Visual and Performing Arts11.Television and Radio

BBC News education reporter Hannah Richardson on 26 October 2010

A spokesman for Universities UK said … that graduates in these subjects made a substantial contribution to the economy and assuring provision in these areas was strongly in the national interest.

"The arts and humanities are crucial in supporting the UK's world-leading creative industries sector. The creative industries account for £16.6bn in exports and contribute almost £60bn to the economy. Even in these difficult economic times, this sector is set to grow at more than double the rate of the rest of the economy and at a much faster rate than our international competitors.”

BHASVIC Visual Arts students follow one of four main progression routes:

Foundation Course

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma & National Diplomas

Foundation Degree

B.A. Hons Degree Course

Foundation Course

Most A-level Art and Textiles students go on to study a one year Foundation Course

A Foundation Course is a one year qualification designed to develop students portfolios and to enable students to make an informed choice about further study in the visual arts

Most BHASVIC Visual Arts students go to local foundation courses such as City College and Northbrook

Students can apply for foundation courses anywhere in the country and can apply for more than one at the same time (direct entry)

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Photography and National Diplomas in Visual Arts Courses (for example Illustration or Graphic Design)

Most A-level Photography students go on to the one year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Photography course at City College

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Photography is designed to be completed before commencing a longer course such as a three-year B.A. Hons degree

National Diploma (ND) courses are more specialist and vocational two-year courses which can lead either to employment, a two-year Higher National Diploma (HND) or a three-year B.A. Hons degree course

A-level Photography, A-level Textile Art and A-level Art students can take an ND or HND. National Diploma Visual Arts courses include Design, Graphics, Fashion/Textiles, Theatre Design and Three-Dimensional Studies among many others

Foundation Degree

It is possible for A-Level Art, A-Level Textiles and A-Level Photography students to apply direct to some Foundation Degree courses

Foundation Degrees are two year degree level qualifications designed with employers

They combine academic study with workplace learning to equip people with the relevant knowledge, understanding and skills needed in industry

Foundation Degree courses include Photography (fashion, advertising and editorial), 3D Design and Animation among others

B.A. Hons Degree Course

A-Level Art, A-Level Textile Art and A-Level Photography students can apply direct to some degree courses

These specialist courses are the standard three year course that most students (outside of the Visual Arts) undertake after completing their A-levels

There are more Visual Arts related degree courses now accepting students direct from A-Level

We generally recommend our students undertake a Foundation Course, a National Certificate in Photography an HD or an HND to ensure an informed choice at degree level is made

Finances

There are no fees for Foundation Courses or the National Certificate if your child is under 19 when commencing the course

Local councils expect that students remain living at home so there is very limited funds available (for expenses such as travel). It is also expected that students have part time work with which to support their studies within the confines of their full time course

Students are expected to buy their own materials (paper, paint, film etc)

Fees are charged for degree courses

4th Courses at BHASVIC

NCFE Digital Art Level 2

NCFE Digital Level 3

NCFE Life Drawing

Experimental Photography for Photographers

AS Art, Photography and Textiles

AS Graphics

Creative Extended Project