Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Art and Design Practice

Level 3

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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Art and Design Practice

Level 3

Full-Time

26/27

60038901

Overview

This is only a one-year course and is subject to student numbers, there is a possibility of topping up to Year 2 subject to student numbers.

The 540 Diploma, equivalent to 1.5 A Levels, is for learners who are looking to study Art and Design as a one-year, full-time course and for those who wish to take it alongside another area of contrasting or complementary study, as part of a two-year, full-time study programme.

This qualification has been designed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to progress to further education, higher education and training or employment in the Art & Design industry. This programme is designed for progression and to provide a substantial portfolio as an outcome of undertaking significant experimental explorations and projects that showcases learners’ skills and knowledge will prepare them for progression.

Reducing the number of units and assessments allows for largescale projects and provides a holistic learning experience for all. This enables a diagnostic process that balances development of skills with personal growth and intentions. The breadth of study in each qualification gives learners opportunities to consider their practice in the context of professional practice with work from inception of ideas to completion. The assessment enables learners to demonstrate valuable skills such as analysis, planning, organisation and critical thinking in the context of developing practical outcomes. Core technical skills development that covers all practices has been embedded throughout the programme.

Each campus specialises in a broad range of art forms including Ceramics, Fine Art, Sculpture, Graphics, Photography, Textiles and Printmaking. Students have the opportunity to progress to a Year 2 BTEC Extended Diploma where they will explore personal and professional progression and organise an exhibition of their work.

Learners taking this qualification will complete two units where they will study one mandatory learning and teaching module:

Skills Development and Creative Project

This qualification has been designed to enable and encourage multidisciplinary practice and integration of all the relevant skills that learners want to develop. Technical skills have been expressed through the following categories to allow for development and integration of skills across practices, including skills used across art, design and media:

image and mark
fashion/wearable
space and form
moving image and lens
experience
usable/product
text
sound

Skills are developed through teaching and learning modules and synthesised through projects, producing outcomes for assessment.

Four GCSEs grade C or above or equivalent to include Maths, English and ICT and preferably a relevant creative subject or
Successful completion of the Level 2 Traineeship in Art & Design Skills with a grade Merit or above to include English at Level 2.
Entry is subject to a successful interview with the course co-ordinator.

If you do not have the subjects required you may still be accepted onto the course, but you will be required to study Maths, English and ICT as Essential skills in addition to the main course.

All units are internally assessed, this allows learners to use large-scale projects, workshops and completing assignments, as a basic for generating evidence for assessment. Learners must complete all two assessment units and achieve a Pass grade or above in each assessment criterion. The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Art and Design Practice is graded using an overall qualification grading of P to D*, attracting UCAS points in the same way as A Level grades.

If learners complete this qualification in a year, they may progress to further learning at Level 3, for example another Diploma with 540 GLH in a complementary sector or the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Art and Design Practice. If taken as part of a programme of study that includes other BTEC Nationals or A Levels, it supports progression to higher education. It also supports progression to an apprenticeship in the art and design sector or to a further year of study at Level 3.

To deepen and refine students’ skills over time, this course has been designed to ensure exposure to teaching and learning approaches that challenge learners. This is supported by the five mandatory areas of content, which are common to both modules, and which are developed to give learners valuable transferable skills.

The five content areas are:

informing ideas
problem solving
technical skills
professional practice
communication

image and mark
fashion/wearable
space and form
moving image and lens experience
usable/product text sound.

Skills are developed through teaching and learning modules and synthesised through projects, producing outcomes for assessment.

1 Available Session

* The fees quoted are per annum and are payable for each year of the course’s duration and are subject to additional examination fees as per fees policy.