Examination Board: EdExcel
Course Content and Assessment
AS (Units 1 & 2)
As well as forming 50% of the Advanced Level qualification, an AS in Art may be used as a stand-alone qualification. The course is interesting in its own right and will also help you to build the skills, knowledge and understanding you will need to progress onto A2. During the course, you will further develop an understanding of the basic elements of art, its history and its purpose. The course is made up of two units of study, each of which is assessed separately.
A2 (Units 3 & 4)
The A2 course builds on the skills, knowledge and understanding that you have gained at AS level. It is made up of the two AS units plus two more units studied at a higher level, again each of which is assessed separately. The skills you acquire will be determined to some extent by the area of study you choose. However, whether you see yourself as a painter, a graphic designer or a filmmaker, the same basic rules and skills apply.
The areas you will study are as follows:-
Unit 1 - 60% of AS, 30% of A Level
- You will explore the expressive force of art and design. You will learn how to use appropriate language and practices to express your own ideas. You will use work journals/sketchbooks to develop your understanding of the format elements of art. Tasks may be set by your teacher or may be developed by yourself or in discussion with teachers or other students.
- You will be required to work from a given starting them towards one or more well-considered conclusions. An example is given below:
‘Sense of Place’
You might explore your own or other localities, both built and natural.
You might explore your own inner worlds; your own thoughts, feelings and imaginings.
You might make comparisons and connections between your interpretation of the theme and the work of other artists from around the world.
Unit 2 - Externally Set Assignment
40% of AS, 20% of A Level
A theme will be given to you to explore approximately two months before the timed test (8 hours). During the preparatory period, you will be expected to generate ideas from the theme, investigating a wide range of appropriate primary and other sources. Your development of ideas and exploratory visual work should be subject to ongoing critical review.
All of your work will be exhibited in school and assessed by an external examiner.
Unit 3—Practical Work and Personal Study
30% of A Level
The area of study, theme or focus chosen should link work produced for both the practical work and personal study. These two elements should be seen as integrally connected and supporting each other. Practical work for Unit 3 aims to provide opportunities for you to pursue your own creative, visual ideas in a chosen area of art, craft and design. You will demonstrate the ability to resolve issues and ideas that emerge as an inevitable part of the process of creating art and design work. As the practical work progresses, work from the personal study will provide the focus for contextual analysis and connections, which should then be used to inform and inspire your own creative visual idea.
Unit 4 - Externally Set Assignment
20% of A Level
A theme will be given to you to explore approximately two months before the timed test (12 hours). During the preparatory period, you will be expected to generate ideas from the theme, investigating a wide range of appropriate primary and other sources. Your development of ideas and exploratory visual work should be subject to ongoing critical review.
All of your work will be exhibited in school and assessed by an external examiner.
Specific Requirements
The best foundation for success in AS and A Level Art would be a good grade at GCSE. If you have an aptitude for the subject, if you are creative or ‘good at drawing’, you may have the basic skills to succeed. However, AS Level Art is not an easy option and you should be prepared to work hard at developing your abilities.
You should have an understanding of the basic elements of art– colour, tone, form etc., and also some understanding of the place of art, craft and design in the world—its history and its purpose. You should have a determined interest in creating and understanding art.
Extra-Curriculum Activities
Visits to art galleries and exhibitions. Workshops.
Costing
Field visits £50, materials £50
Further Study
There are many careers in art, craft and design. Most of these require further at an art school, further education college or university. If you are unsure about whether to make a career of the subject, the best thing to do is to speak to your art teacher or careers advisor who will know about the courses on offer in your area or elsewhere. At present most students wishing to take art, craft or design further will go on to do a one year ‘Foundation’ course at an art college or college of further education before applying to degree courses in more specialist areas of art and design.
Career Opportunities
Fine Art - Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Illustrating, Performance, Video, Computer and Holographic Art
Graphic Design - Advertising, Illustration, Package Design, Typography, Computer and Video Graphics
Fashion and Textile Design Fashion - Fashion wear, Accessories, Sports and Leisurewear, Millinery, Lingerie, Shoes and Theatrical Costume Design
Textiles - Designers of Printed, Woven and Knitted Fabrics, Embroidery, Carpets and Wallpapers.
Three Dimensional Design Packaging Design, Industrial Design, Furniture, Interior Design, Theatre Design, Model-making, Exhibition Design, Silversmithing and Jewellery, Glass, Ceramics, Blacksmithing and Metalwork
General - Film, Photography and TV; History of Art, Craft and Design; Teaching and Art Education; Community Arts; Art Administration; Art Therapy
