A-Level Art
What Topics Will I Study?
Year 12 is designed to be an experimentational and exploratory year that emphasises process over product. Your creative abilities will be tested through experimentation in a range of art media. For example: 3D – Wire, Clay, Glass (workshop), card manipulation; Painting – Oil, Acrylic and Watercolour; Digital media – Procreate and Photoshop; Printmaking; Textiles – Batik, tie dye, hand stitching, Machine stitching, Knitting; Photography; Dry media, pencil, biro, crayon – the possibilities are vast!
You will choose your own project titles and will incorporate the study of artists of your own choice from different cultures and periods.
We will offer you a broad and vast curriculum in Year 12 that could lead you to one of these potential A-Level pathways:
- AQA Textiles
- AQA Fine Art
- AQA Art, Craft and Design
- AQA 3D Sculpture
- AQA Graphics
- AQA Photography
Year 13 builds upon the Year 12 experience and here you will specialise down your own A-Level pathway.
- Candidates will produce a portfolio of work from self-directed starting points. The focus is on including work that shows exploration, research, acquisition of techniques and skills. This is worth 60% of final A-Level Grade. The portfolio unit is made up of one strong body of work. The work must show exploration and experimentation of a range of techniques
You will be expected to produce high quality finished pieces of work based upon structured research and development. The emphasis is product over process.
Towards the end of the course you will complete your examination project. Candidates select one starting point from an early release question paper. Candidates are to be given 10 weeks in which to plan and prepare. You will sit a 15 hour exam (3 school days), where you produce a final piece. This is worth 40 % of the final A-Level grade.
Please click here for exam information and topics studied in each academic year.
Extras - Art staff will organise the following opportunities (dependent upon demand & funding) - life classes; artists’ workshops; gallery visits (national and international); university visits and workshops (degree shows) and the ordering of sketch books and portfolios.
Students will be expected to provide a minimum of two A2 size sketchbooks for each year of study.
What Grades do I Need at GCSE Level?
GCSE Grade 5 or above is desired in one or both of the following:
- Art – GCSE or BTEC in Art and Design
- Design and Technology GCSE
You may be accepted onto the course without these qualifications after a portfolio of work has been checked and approved by A-Level Art teaching staff. An ability to draw is very necessary.
What Other Subjects Should I Study?
All subjects can be relevant to Art and Design, but most useful are Design, English, History, Theatre Studies, Religious Studies and Media Studies.
Students who are taking a more academic route could really benefit from the mental relief from doing work that is creative. During the current times we are in a little bit of mental relief is incredibly important. Skills built in Art are those that set you apart from other students they give you character and the ability to solve problems!
What About Choices After A-Levels?
There are a huge amount of industries that appreciate or require an A-Level in Art.
- Illustration (books, comics)
- Animation
- Graphic Design
- Web design
- Print design
- Architecture/construction
- Engineering
- Interior design
- Textile Design
- Fashion
- Teaching
- Lecturing
- Museum and Gallery curator
- Art historian
- Game development
- Digital media
- Artist!!
- Business – card design, crafts
- YouTube!
Remember, Further and Higher Education courses in art and design have a strong vocational tradition, and are extremely successful in placing students in relevant employment.
Further Information
If you would like further information on any aspect of A-Level Art, then please contact:
Mrs J Pugh, Head of Art - jpugh@idsall.shropshire.sch.uk
Exam Board: AQA