Access to HE Diploma (Creative Arts)

Access to HE Diploma (Creative Arts)

Are you are a creative person? Have you been thinking about returning to education, to study for a degree in art and design, but don’t feel that you are quite ready? If the answer to these questions is yes, then this is the course for you!

The Access courses are designed to support mature learners (19+) so that they can progress confidently onto a degree at the end of the year. You will be supported with that application through UCAS. This course is just one year of study, so it is intense and fast paced, but at the same time it will introduce you to an exciting range of creative skills and ideas. As it is only one year, learners are expected to spend between 5-8 hours home study a week.

In the first two terms you will have an introduction to: 2D skills, mixed media, colour theory, print, photography, graphic design, textiles, life drawing, 3D skills and ceramics. These will be taught by specialist staff mainly through a series of practical workshops. You will also develop your research, writing, and other study skills through the theory units; all of which are designed to prepare you for study in Higher Education.

In the third term you will be able to write your own brief and display the work in our end of year exhibition.

You will be able to use the dedicated workshops for Photography, Print, 3D and Ceramics.

This level 3 qualification is all about engaging, supporting and developing your skills and ideas, to enable you to gain the confidence to progress onto a creative arts degree.

Cambridge Access Validating Agency (CAVA)

What you will learn Entry requirements Assessment Progression Cornwall College St Austell

What you will learn

To allow for a rich and immersive learning experience, students will work freely across a range of technical skills areas which reflect a diverse range of specialist areas and incorporate current industry practice. This will include drawing skills, painting, colour theory, printing, textiles, 3D study, ceramics and photography.

You will learn and develop creative skills across a wide range of art and design disciplines in a creative environment. You’ll explore new materials, skills and processes to really enhance your understanding of art and design. The course aims to enhance independent learning, develop your communication and negotiation skills through collaborative projects. It will promote research methods, idea development, exploration of materials, techniques and processes, evaluation and reflection through lectures, demonstrations and tutorials. You will discover lots of different disciplines to see which area most interests you.

You will also have the opportunity to visit art galleries, see the work that the degree students are doing here at the campus and build a portfolio of work to take to interviews in H.E.

In addition to this you will be able to develop your digital skills in Word, PowerPoint, and Photoshop. Enabling you to present your ideas and your work confidently.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements, but you will need to have a good standard of literacy. It is desirable for you to have a grade 4 in English. You will also need to be creative, in some way, have enthusiasm, commitment and a desire to further your education in the arts. If you are under 24 and do not have English GCSE, you will be expected to study for that alongside your course.

Assessment

The qualification consists of a series of assignments, for each subject taught on the course. You will receive an assignment brief (instructions) telling you why and what you will be learning. The brief will also include the details of the evidence required for assessment (criteria) that must be met in order to pass.

Most of the assignments are then graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, but some are just a Pass. The details of this will be explained more fully when you start the course.

You need to pass all the assignments to gain the Access Diploma.

Work to be assessed will be in sketchbooks, as well as the 2D and 3D practical artworks. Assessment will be carried out on written texts and PowerPoints for the theory units.

Progression

The progression possibilities, in the creative arts are extensive – it is the fastest growing area of the UK economy!

Our students progress onto a wide range of degree courses, including the interdisciplinary FdA in Art & Design Practice here at the Cornwall College Camborne campus.

Others have applied successfully for degree level courses in: Fine Art, Animation, Prop making, Architecture, Graphic Design, Illustration, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product and Craft Design, amongst others.

Many have completed their degree and set up their own businesses. Others have chosen associated careers, such as; teaching, gallery assistant, or working with community arts projects.

Cornwall College St Austell

Set at the top of St Austell, with incredible views over the bay, our campus boasts ground-breaking facilities and exceptional student spaces. The Keay Theatre area plays host to our famous Altitude Dance Academy and performing arts, while our award-winning student restaurant Cloisters is recognised as one of the best in the country. Brand new electric vehicle training labs set within our modern construction and engineering buildings showcase just some of the incredible opportunities for people in St Austell and beyond.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

What You Will Learn

To allow for a rich and immersive learning experience, students will work freely across a range of technical skills areas which reflect a diverse range of specialist areas and incorporate current industry practice. This will include drawing skills, painting, colour theory, printing, textiles, 3D study, ceramics and photography.

You will learn and develop creative skills across a wide range of art and design disciplines in a creative environment. You’ll explore new materials, skills and processes to really enhance your understanding of art and design. The course aims to enhance independent learning, develop your communication and negotiation skills through collaborative projects. It will promote research methods, idea development, exploration of materials, techniques and processes, evaluation and reflection through lectures, demonstrations and tutorials. You will discover lots of different disciplines to see which area most interests you.

You will also have the opportunity to visit art galleries, see the work that the degree students are doing here at the campus and build a portfolio of work to take to interviews in H.E.

In addition to this you will be able to develop your digital skills in Word, PowerPoint, and Photoshop. Enabling you to present your ideas and your work confidently.

Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements, but you will need to have a good standard of literacy. It is desirable for you to have a grade 4 in English. You will also need to be creative, in some way, have enthusiasm, commitment and a desire to further your education in the arts. If you are under 24 and do not have English GCSE, you will be expected to study for that alongside your course.

Assessment

The qualification consists of a series of assignments, for each subject taught on the course. You will receive an assignment brief (instructions) telling you why and what you will be learning. The brief will also include the details of the evidence required for assessment (criteria) that must be met in order to pass. Most of the assignments are then graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, but some are just a Pass. The details of this will be explained more fully when you start the course. You need to pass all the assignments to gain the Access Diploma. Work to be assessed will be in sketchbooks, as well as the 2D and 3D practical artworks. Assessment will be carried out on written texts and PowerPoints for the theory units.

Progression

The progression possibilities, in the creative arts are extensive – it is the fastest growing area of the UK economy! Our students progress onto a wide range of degree courses, including the interdisciplinary FdA in Art & Design Practice here at the Cornwall College Camborne campus. Others have applied successfully for degree level courses in: Fine Art, Animation, Prop making, Architecture, Graphic Design, Illustration, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product and Craft Design, amongst others. Many have completed their degree and set up their own businesses. Others have chosen associated careers, such as; teaching, gallery assistant, or working with community arts projects.

Cornwall College St Austell

Cornwall College St Austell

Set at the top of St Austell, with incredible views over the bay, our campus boasts ground-breaking facilities and exceptional student spaces. The Keay Theatre area plays host to our famous Altitude Dance Academy and performing arts, while our award-winning student restaurant Cloisters is recognised as one of the best in the country. Brand new electric vehicle training labs set within our modern construction and engineering buildings showcase just some of the incredible opportunities for people in St Austell and beyond.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

Case studies

Leah is now a self-employed artist creating unique ceramic pieces of art & one-off pieces for exhibitions, commissions and collectors. “I love designing and making a new collection of work for an exhibition. Commissions are also really fun, especially when they are for an organisation such as a museum.”

Whilst at Cornwall College I did three years of life drawing, I don’t believe there is anything that improves your artistic communicative skills more than drawing. I also had an amazing teacher that taught me how to work with clay, which is now the main part of my job!”

Leah’s ceramic designs are inspired by Renaissance ar, she prints out the paintings, places them on her clay pot & then uses dressmaking pins to map out the structure of each painting onto the unfired clay. This breaks down the painting into a series of geometric shapes and then she carves the clay with a scalpel following these markings.

Taran is now a 3rd year Press and editorial student at Falmouth University. “I love shooting on film, and digital. Film has made me slow down as every roll costs money. I now consider myself to be a photographer.”