A-LEVELHISTORY OF ART
AWARD
A-Level Art & Design - Critical Studies
DURATION
2 Years (Full-Time)
UCAS POINTS
Up to 56 (depending on grade outcome)
CAMPUS
Middlesbrough
COURSE DETAILS
This course offers you the opportunity to explore the very real influence that art has and how it reflects and represents society throughout history. You will examine meanings conveyed through art & design from the Italian Renaissance to the contemporary works of today, analysing how these have influenced and been influenced by changing social, political, cultural and economic factors.
Throughout this course you will specialise in an area of the history of art based on your interests and strengths. You may choose to explore the alluring stories of Greek mythology in the Bronze age, the sophisticated Haute Couture fashion of the 16th century or curate your own modern day exhibition and bring it to life through 3D design. History of Art offers you a fascinating and diverse insight into the past which will inspire and inform a practical and theory-based outcome for each of your projects.
Your studies are further enhanced by museum and gallery visits as well as talks given by visiting lecturers and practitioners from industry. This will enable you to develop your skills in observing and interpreting artworks through a theoretical and practical approach to study.
On successful completion of an A-Level programme of study, you will have the skills and qualifications needed to progress onto a wide range of courses, at Foundation Diploma or degree level, or go directly into employment. The qualification you will be awarded is GCE A-Level Art & Design: Critical and Studies.
Students can go into a diverse range for careers such as art curation, archaeology, content writing, archiving, editing, publishing, writing, teaching or lecturing.
Assessment
This course is 80% exam (with 2 x 2.5 hrs exams) and 20% coursework.
SEE MORE FROM THE COURSE
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WHERE COULD IT TAKE YOU?
Art Historian or Critic
Museum or Gallery Curator
Academic Researcher or Lecturer
Writer, Editor or Cultural Journalist
BA (Hons) Degree
Art Valuer or Auction House Specialist
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
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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
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Hartlepool’s Cultural Strategy: Commission Now Open The Hartlepool Creative and Cultural Partnership (HCCP) is inviting experienced arts and cultural strategy […]
September 18, 2026
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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 […]
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Ysabella Caddy receives Norman Austick Award for Outstanding Commitment to the BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX course Gold Prize
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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 […]