Art and Design

In the BTEC Art & Design programme, you will engage deeply with a broad spectrum of artistic media and creative techniques. This hands-on experience includes:

• Developing your skills in visual expression through traditional and digital mediums like drawing, painting, and printmaking.
• Enhancing visual communication through graphic design and illustration, utilising industry-standard software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Exploring textile art, learning techniques such as embroidery, surface pattern design, and fabric manipulation.
• Experimenting with three-dimensional forms using diverse materials like clay, plaster, wire, and paper.

Throughout the Art and Design BTEC Level 3 course, you will also conduct extensive research into the history and methods of renowned artists, designers, and craftspeople, integrating their influences into your unique creative process.

This comprehensive study is structured to refine your skills and prepare you for successful careers in the dynamic fields of art and design. 

After successfully completing the Art and Design BTEC, many of our students progress to degree level study in a wide range of creative disciplines. Some recent examples include Interior Design, Fashion Design, Textiles, Fashion Promotion & Marketing, Illustration, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Animation, Comic and Concept Art, Games Design and Architecture etc.

Some examples of recent degree courses students have progressed onto in recent years include:

• BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Technology, Manchester School of Art, MMU
• BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art, De Montfort University
• BA (Hons) Visual Communication, Leeds Arts University
• BA (Hons) Interior Design, Falmouth University
• BA (Hons) Fine Art, University of Central Lancashire
• BA (Hons) Illustration and Animation, Nottingham Trent University
• BA (Hons) Film, TV and Stage Design, University of Salford  

Some students opt to deepen their artistic expertise right here at Cardinal Newman by enrolling in the one-year UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design. This additional qualification paves the way for entry into some of the most prestigious Art & Design degree programmes across the country.

The BTEC Art and Design Level 3 course at Cardinal Newman College is accredited by Pearson BTEC Edexcel, a leading provider known for its comprehensive evaluation standards and educational excellence.

Year 12

Unit A1 – Skills Development

Unit A2 – The Creative Project

Year 13

Unit B1 – Personal Progression

Unit B2 – The Creative Industry Response

Y12 is worth one third and Y13 is worth two thirds of the overall qualification grade.

All work is coursework based, and there are deadlines as you work through each project where you will receive feedback to help you develop your skills.

To enrol in the BTEC Art & Design course at Cardinal Newman College, applicants must have a minimum of five GCSEs graded 4 or above, including at least a 4 in GCSE Art and a grade 4 in either GCSE English Language, or Maths.

Candidates with GCSEs in creative design technology subjects like Textiles, Graphic Design, or Resistant Materials may also be considered.

Our Art & Design programme is a BTEC Extended Diploma, which holds the academic weight equivalent to three A-Levels.