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Art and Design

UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice: Art Design & Communication

This is where you start developing your own creative practice. Theory and practical sessions run together to build and test your ideas, all underpinned by drawing and visualisation. By the end of the year you'll have a portfolio and a clear direction, ready to move directly into industry, on to the Foundation Diploma, or into Higher Education.

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How you’ll learn

Develop Your Own Creative Practice

At Level 3 the focus shifts to your own creative practice. Theory and practical sessions run side by side to develop and test your ideas, all underpinned by strong drawing and visualisation skills. You’ll cover visual language, research skills, critical and contextual awareness, and material processes and technical skills in art and design.

You’ll work across our specialist studios: screen printing, 3D workshop, Mac suites, drawing studios and life drawing. You’ll finish the year with a Level 3 portfolio and the option to move directly into industry, onto the Foundation Diploma, or into Higher Education. The Opportunities for Progression unit is designed to help you decide which.

Core Units

  • Visual language in art and design
  • Research skills in art and design
  • Critical and contextual awareness in art and design

Practical and Progression

  • Material processes and technical skills in art and design
  • Opportunities for progression in art, design and media
Entry and progression

What you need and where it leads

  1. Entry requirements
  2. This course Level 3
  3. Further study

Entry requirements

  • 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English and Maths
  • A relevant portfolio to show your creative abilities at interview
  • A genuine interest in developing your own creative practice
  • Successful interview with our team

Level 3 assumes you already have your key GCSEs. If you need to top up Maths or English, we can build that in alongside your course.

Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

Careers it can lead to

  • Artists £35,100 a year
  • Arts Officers, Producers and Directors £36,200 a year
  • Advertising and Marketing Associate Professionals £28,900 a year
  • With further study or experience Advertising Accounts Managers and Creative Directors £41,000 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Your UCAS points

UAL Level 3 Diploma

Grade UCAS points
D Distinction 84
M Merit 60
P Pass 36

UCAS points are an estimate. Each university course sets its own entry requirements, and points can change from year to year. Please enquire for full details about a specific course. Points from the UCAS Tariff tables for 2027 entry. About UCAS Tariff points

Our facilities

Specialist Studios for a Growing Practice

Level 3 uses the full range of our art and design facilities. You'll work across studios as you build the range and depth your practice needs.

  • Specialist printmaking studios

    including screen printing equipment.

  • Fully equipped 3D workshop

    ideal for sculpture and model-making.

  • High-spec Apple suites

    featuring the latest creative software.

  • Spacious drawing studios

    plus life drawing classes.

Final-8606
5 Specialist Studios · Screen Print · 3D · Mac · Drawing · Life
Benjamin

Benjamin

UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma Art and Design

Student Voice

“

I’ve developed strong time management and creative skills, enjoyed the freedom to explore my ideas, and plan to study graphic design at university after a great year of growth and friendship.

Read more student stories
For parents and carers

Supporting your child’s journey

Real Career Prospects

These qualifications lead to real jobs. Our courses are built around the skills that employers are actually hiring for, locally and nationally.

See career options

Qualifications That Count

These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.

See the full unit list

Mental Health & Wellbeing

College is a big change. Our wellbeing team is here for every student, whether they need someone to talk to, help managing stress, or ongoing support. No referral needed.

Wellbeing support

Your next step

Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.

Ready to Develop Your Practice?

Applications for September 2027 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.

Apply online

Want to visit first?

FE Open Event – 12th January 202712th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm

Book your place

What happens after you apply

1

You apply

Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.

2

You meet your tutor

We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.

3

You get an offer

We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.

4

You get ready to start

Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.

Read our full guide to applying