Skip to main content
D C G Logo

Derby College Group (DCG)
Telephone: 0800 028 0289
https://www.derby-college.ac.uk
enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk

0800 028 0289

  • Contact
  • Jobs
  • How to Apply
  • About DCG
  • Home
  • Courses & Careers
    Course SearchSubject Areas at DCGCourse Types at DCGCampuses & Course LocationsDCG Success StoriesCareer SearchCareer PathwaysDownload a ProspectusFree – ESF Fully Funded Course
  • Employers
  • Student Support
  • Parents
  • News/Events
    EventsNewsEvent Registration
DCG Courses Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design

Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design

The Level 3 Art and Design pathway has been specifically designed for students wishing to study a single creative subject plus work experience, tutorial and personal and professional development.

Course Summary

Subject Area: Art and Design
Course Type: School Leaver - Vocational/Technical
Location: Joseph Wright Centre
Full Time or Part Time: FT
Level: 3
Number Of Years: 2
Interview Required?: Y
Joseph Wright Centre

Apply now at: https://www.derby-college.ac.uk/course/diploma-in-art-and-design-creative-level-3
QR Code
  • Information for Students
  • Information for Employers
  • Related Careers
  • Success Stories

Course Information for Students

Who is this course for?

The Advanced Level 3 Art and Design pathway has been specifically designed for students wishing to study a single creative subject plus work experience, tutorial and personal and professional development.

The qualification is designed for students aged 16 years or over who have already achieved GCSE grade 4 [C] in both English and Maths and who have an interest in the visual arts.

The Art and Design pathway provides you with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to progress to Advanced Level 3 Higher Foundation Studies, higher education, employment or an apprenticeship.

It provides an opportunity for those who have an interest in the visual arts to explore, develop and test their creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating and demanding and which provides a supportive transition from further to higher education.

Entry Requirements

Typically, you will have at least five GCSEs graded A*- C, including English Language and Maths. Alternatively you may have equivalent intermediate qualifications at Merit grade or above, along with GCSE grade 4/C in English Language and Maths.

Importantly a university application will probably require five GCSEs at grade C (4) or above, including both English Language and Maths GCSE at grade 4/C or above.

In addition to these entry requirements, you may be asked to attend a taster activity where your practical skills and potential will be assessed.

What will you learn?

The course is generally delivered over one year and will enable you to develop a practical portfolio of work that could support progression into a range of higher education courses or employment.

While on the course you will have the opportunity to develop your critical and contextual awareness of different perspectives and approaches within art, design or related subjects of study or work. In addition, you will research, analyse and evaluate relevant information and ideas in order to develop practical creative solutions.

In addition to improving your practical and theoretical knowledge, you will have the opportunity to develop your English and maths skills. There is also the option to access further GCSE English to improve your grades, enhancing your life skills and future career progression chances.

How will you learn?

This course will be delivered on-site.

What will you need to bring with you?

You will be provided with the resources required to complete the course, however, you may be expected to purchase your own sketchbook and some basic equipment. If you wish to explore additional specialist materials or non-traditional materials that are not covered within the course, you will be responsible for sourcing and providing such materials.  You will also need to make a contribution towards compulsory visits to London – or other – galleries to undertake essential research.

How will you be assessed?

Assessment of practical and written work occurs regularly throughout the course.  The outcome of the course is graded at Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Where next?

Further Study
Following successful completion of the Advanced Diploma, most students will progress to the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design, or the Advanced Level 3 Higher Foundation Studies – Art and Design.

Careers
You can also consider a wide range of potential careers in art, design or the creative leisure industry.

Who do you contact for more information?

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk

Course Information for Employers

Information for Employers

If you are an employer and would like to know more about the apprenticeships and professional training we deliver or how you can get involved in co-creating and co-delivering the curriculum, please contact us via email on businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk, call us on 01332 387 421 or visit our employer pages here.

Career Information



This course could lead to one of these careers...

Arts Officers, Producers and Directors

£34183

Arts Officers, Producers and Directors

Artists

£34571

Artists

More Careers Information at: https://www.derby-college.ac.uk/career-pathways
QR Code

DCG Success Stories

Jamie Holmes

Jamie Holmes

Weaving a success story in textile design

When I first started at College, I was really lacking in confidence but I had so much help and support that I really found myself and I am looking forward to making the most of university.

Read More about Jamie Holmes


Applications for 2025 Full-Time School Leaver Courses are now CLOSED FOR PROCESSING*

If you’ve already applied for a full-time vocational or academic course, please check your InTouch account to view your application status and accept any outstanding offers. We may also be trying to contact you by phone, so keep an ear out for calls from the College — to ensure we are progressing your first-choice course area.

Haven’t applied yet?

Your next opportunity will be during our Clearing Enrolment sessions, starting Wednesday 27th August at 12pm. Please note that places will be limited and subject to course availability, entry requirements, and interviews. Find out more about Enrolment and Clearing Enrolment: Enrolment and Clearing Information 2025

Course Information Last Updated On: March 17, 2025 1:42 pm

Modal title

  • Overview
  • Knowledge & Skills
  • Employment & Salary
  • DCG Courses
career thumbnail

Overview

An overview of the career

Knowledge and Skills Required

Skills

These are the skills that are commonly needed in this career.

SkillImportance
Knowledge

These are the ten most import areas of knowledge commonly needed for this career.

KnowledgeImportance

Employment Data

Annual Job Openings

Currently Employed

Annual Earnings

This shows the current annual learnings for this career.

Starting Salary

Average Salary

High Salary

PercentileSalary
Age of the Workforce

This is the breakdown of ages who work in this career.

Age GroupPercentage
Education Level of the Workforce

This is the education level of the workforce.

Education LevelPercentage
Employment Forecast

This is the projected number of jobs available.

YearNumber Employed
Employment Proportion by Sex

This shows the proportion of males and females who work in this career.

Male/FemalePercentage

Suitable Courses

Suitable Courses

D C G Logo
  • Derby College Facebook
  • Derby College Youtube
  • Derby College Instagram

Courses

  • Course Search
  • Career Search
  • Subject Areas at DCG
  • Career Pathways
  • Course Types at DCG
  • Campuses & Course Locations at DCG
  • Download a Prospectus
  • Chart Your Future

Students

  • Student Support
  • Student Services
  • Login to inTouch
  • Report an Absence or Lateness
  • Moodle VLE
  • Think Alumni
  • Student Bursary

Staff

  • Staff Intranet
  • Remote Desktop
  • Systems Hub
  • Email

DCG

  • Governance
  • Policies and Papers
  • Why work for us?
  • Meet the Governors
  • Who’s Who
  • Website Accessibility Statement
  • Data Protection
  • Freedom of Information
  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Environmental and Sustainability at DCG
  • DCG-Annual-Accountability-Statement-2024-25
  • DCG Strategy and Regulation – Accountability Statement 2025-26

Study with Us

  • DCG Success Stories
  • DCG Covid Safety

Student Life

  • Derby College Students Union

More

  • Covid Safety
  • Apprenticeship Vacancies
  • Open to the Public
  • Term Dates
  • College Calendar 2025-26

Quick Links

  • Contact Us
  • How to Apply
  • Make a Payment
  • Report an Absence or Lateness
  • Jobs at DCG
DCG Logo Derby College Group
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}