A-LEVELART & DESIGN
AWARD
A-Level in Art, Craft & Design
DURATION
2 Years (Full-Time)
UCAS POINTS
Up to 56 (depending on grade outcome)
CAMPUS
Middlesbrough
COURSE DETAILS
Challenge your creativity, sharpen your skills, and build a strong foundation for a future in the arts. This course combines academic depth with hands-on studio practice.
This two-year A-Level is perfect for students who want to explore the creative arts while keeping future pathways flexible. You’ll develop technical skills, visual awareness, and personal voice through practical work and critical investigation.
You will explore a broad range of materials and techniques including drawing, painting, print-making, photography, mixed media and digital processes. You’ll be encouraged to experiment, take creative risks and develop work that is imaginative, personal and informed by wider cultural and historical contexts.
A key part of the course is the Personal Investigation - an in-depth project where you choose your own theme, explore ideas in depth and produce both practical and written outcomes. This allows you to specialise and build a strong portfolio that reflects your interests and strengths.
Studying A-Level Art & Design at a specialist school gives you access to outstanding facilities, experienced artisttutors and an inspiring creative community. You’ll also have the opportunity to exhibit your work, visit galleries, and explore progression routes into university, art foundation or creative careers.
SEE MORE FROM THE COURSE
Follow us on Instagram for student work, behind the scenes and more.
WHERE COULD IT TAKE YOU?
Fine Artist
Architect (with further study)
Illustrator
Art Therapist (with further study)
Gallery or Visual Designer
Teacher or Academic (with further study)
COURSE INFORMATION
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
A-LEVELS
LEARNER HOURS
AWARDING BODY
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying here?
It is a excellent college for you if you are creative, expressive and overall looking to work alongside likeminded people in a fun environment.
Aimee Rose Johnson
A-Levels
IMAGE GALLERY
OUTSTANDING Student Experience
The Northern College of Art had an exceptional history for its further education when formerly known as The Northern School of Art, and Cleveland College of Art and Design prior to that. The institution previously achieved an Ofsted rating of Outstanding in 2009, and held it consecutively across all inspections until the last inspection under the Education Inspection Framework in 2025. The institution is one of only a handful of colleges to make this achievement.
LATEST NEWS
September 25, 2026
Bringing Sense and Sensibility to life: Alison Lyons on costume behind the scenes
As the highly anticipated new adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility debuts in the UK today, Friday 25 September, we caught […]
September 21, 2026
Hartlepool’s Cultural Strategy: Commission Now Open
Hartlepool’s Cultural Strategy: Commission Now Open The Hartlepool Creative and Cultural Partnership (HCCP) is inviting experienced arts and cultural strategy […]
September 18, 2026
Northern School of Art students and graduates bring creativity to SIDEQUEST’s Turner Prize Horsebox!
The Northern School of Art students and alumni are working with Hartlepool-based creative producers SIDEQUEST on their Turner Prize Horsebox […]
September 4, 2026
Norman Austick Outstanding Commitment Silver Award Winners Nathan Scott and Jemima Worrall
Congratulations to Silver Award winners for this year's Norman Austick Award for Outstanding Commitment, Nathan Scott and Jemima Worrall. This […]
September 1, 2026
Illustration degree students creating artwork for Middlesbrough match-day programme covers throughout the clubs 150th season.
Students studying on our BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application degree have teamed up with Middlesbrough FC to create original […]
August 28, 2026
Student Adam Nevin receives the Animation Achievement Award 2026!
BA (Hons) Animation graduate Adam Nevin is the recipient of this year’s Animation Achievement Award 2026, awarded annually in recognition […]
August 27, 2026
New Graduate joint Award Winner Eva Grinvalde!
BA (Hons) Fine Art student Eva Grinvalde shares this year's prestigious New Graduate Award with fellow student Leoni Dingwall! The […]
August 26, 2026
Ysabella Caddy receives Norman Austick Award for Outstanding Commitment to the BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX course Gold Prize
BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX alumnus Ysabella Caddy is the first gold-prize recipient of a new award for […]
August 25, 2026
Staff Spotlight: Meet BA (Hons) Fashion Technician Alexandra Serafin!
Alexandra Serafin has joined our BA (Hons) Fashion department alongside running a successful freelance garment development and manufacturing business, which […]