Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design)

This Course at a Glance

• Get on the fast track to studying an arts-related university course
• Build a portfolio of work to meet university requirements
• Explore colour theory in art and design
• Delve into digital photography and 3D realisation
• Equivalent to A Levels
• 100% online, no exams
• Achieve a nationally recognised qualification in less than a year

About Your Diploma

If you want to channel your creative flair into a career within the arts but don’t have the traditional qualifications to get into university, our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design) is the ideal route for you.

This online course could be the start of a rewarding journey in the industry, giving you the skills and knowledge you need to progress on to university and move into the field of your choice.

Creative Careers at Your Fingertips

With this nationally recognised qualification, you can study a range of arts-related degrees. Whether you have an eye for interior design, can tell a story through visuals, or want a career curating famous pieces of art, our Access to Higher Education Diploma can guide you towards the career you want.

In fact, the Level 3 qualification is ideal for anyone looking to explore careers in graphic design, fine art, fashion design, interior design, and more.

Build a Portfolio to Get Industry Recognised

To succeed in the arts sector, you need to be able to showcase your abilities, and what better way to do that than by building your very own portfolio of work and ideas. This art and design course will enable you to put all your creativity into an accomplished collection of work, something that is sought after by industry professionals and is an important element of some university applications.

Discover Your Speciality

For those of you who are unsure about what area of the arts to specialise in at university, our Access to Higher Education Diploma can be the perfect guide. From the fundamentals of drawing and designing symbols and signs to producing 3D realisation from a brief and digital photography, our online course covers a range of topics that are sure to spark your interest.

Getting Started

By enrolling on this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design), you will be studying with learndirect, the UK’s leading online learning provider. We offer a range of qualifications designed to unlock higher education opportunities and help learners gain access to gated careers.

Nationally recognised, the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design) is a Level 3 qualification regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

Get University Ready Within a Year

Unlike traditional routes, our Access to Higher Education Diploma can get you prepared for university within one year, though you have 24 months to complete it. In fact, many of our learners achieve their qualification within 9 months due to the flexibility of our online learning solutions. You can study around your existing commitments, so you don’t have to neglect your routine.

We’ll Help You Stay On Track

You have control over when and where you study, with no need for a classroom, but we will support you, not only with guidance from experienced tutors but via an Individual Learning Plan. This will outline the submission deadlines for your assignments so that you can stay on track to achieving your qualification.

*Please note, each university sets its own entry requirements, so we advise all learners to check that this qualification is accepted by their chosen higher education institution.

Modules

Module 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to structure a written response
• Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
• Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
• Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Module 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
• Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Module 3: Colour Theory in Art and Design

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the features of colour theory
• Understand colour harmony
• Be able to apply the features of colour schemes

Module 4: Perspectives in Art and Design

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand perspective drawing theory
• Understand perspective drawing applications
• Be able to produce perspective drawings
• Understand the use of perspective drawing methods
• Be able to create subject representations

Module 5: Fundamentals of Drawing

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to use drawing skills in the manipulation of media and materials
• Be able to use formal elements in art and design
• Be able to use compositional strategies in own work
• Be able to create observational drawings

Module 6: Visual Language and the Sketchbook

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand visual language
• Understand the personal view points and ideas of artists
• Be able to develop ideas using a range of media tools
• Be able to demonstrate visual curiosity, analytical inquiry and the development of ideas through the use of a personal sketchbook

Module 7: Historical Context of Art and Design

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the historical and contextual influences on the nature and practice of art and design
• Know the links between socio-cultural considerations and artistic expression
• Understand the need for personal research which is influenced or supported by historical or contextual factors
• Be able to express own ideas using relevant vocabulary

Module 8: Media and Materials Research

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to explore and experiment with a range of media/materials and processes
• Be able to assess properties and characteristics of media/materials, processes and techniques
• Understand the use of media/materials and processes for specific purposes
• Be able to apply Health and Safety practices for a range of media/materials and processes

Module 9: Mixed Media in Art and Design

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to use a range of mixed media materials, techniques and methods
• Be able to create works of art using mixed media

Module 10: Designing Symbols and Signs

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to analyse the differences between symbols and signs
• Understand the history of symbol and sign development
• Be able to create and evaluate a variety of symbols and signs
• Be able to create an effective corporate identity system
• Be able to present completed art and design work
• Be able to carry out health and safety procedures and apply safe studio practice

Module 11: Digital Photography

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to use light and exposure effectively on a digital camera
• Be able to use a range of white balance effectively in varied lighting
• Understand imaging software
• Be able to explore a variety of themes/styles through a series of photographs
• Be able to follow health and safety procedures and safe working practices in the photographic workshop

Module 12: Idea Exploration and Development

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the use of an individual approach to researching sources
• Be able to express ideas effectively
• Be able to explore and develop ideas
• Be able to evaluate recorded technical and theoretical information
• Be able to create a range of idea samples

Module 13: Producing 3D Realisation from a Brief

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to produce documentation for a brief
• Be able to use a range of media to explore 3D ideas
• Be able to explore and develop ideas from studies
• Be able to create 3D realisations from studies

Module 14: Art and Design Project Development and Delivery

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to develop ideas and produce research for own art and design work
• Be able to develop and complete project work
• Be able to reflect on own work

Module 15: Portfolio Building in Art and Design

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to select and use progression goals
• Be able to prepare an art, design or craft portfolio
• Be able to develop a personal statement for career progression
• Be able to develop own communication skills

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months. This particular diploma is likely to need the full 12 months to complete due to the level of artwork they need to produce.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: essays, reports, presentations (video and audio recording), visual presentation of artwork, concept boards, sketchbooks, research journal, drawing, paintings, portfolio of artwork, academic writing skills tasks.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 3 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

There are no exams as part of the assessment process. Instead, you will be assessed by the following methods:

• Essays
• Reports
• Presentations (video and audio)
• Presentations (video)
• Concept boards
• Sketchbooks
• Research journal
• Drawings and paintings
• Portfolio of work

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.

Credits

You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design). The credits are split into the following two categories:

• Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
• Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills

As part of your online art and design course, you will also receive guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3 (QAA aim code: 40012931). As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design) is the ideal way to kickstart a career in the arts. It gives you an opportunity to progress on to higher-level learning, all from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you’re starting from scratch, are looking to transform your passion for creativity into a second job or want to change jobs and get a career doing what you love, then we can help. This nationally recognised qualification can get you ready for university, studying a range of arts-related degrees, such as:

• Digital Arts
• Fashion and Textiles
• Graphic Design
• Interior Design
• Fine Art
• And More!

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Here at learndirect, we offer a dedicated Creative Arts Faculty that contains a range of recognised qualifications. Alongside the Access to Higher Education Diploma, we also cater to those who want to specialise in interior design and fashion design. If this sounds like you, explore the below online courses:

• Level 3 Diploma in Interior Design (RQF)
• Level 3 Professional Diploma in Fashion Design (RQF)

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out how this course has helped real-life learners – people just like you - to reach their goals and achieve success! 

Sharron
49-year-old mum of two and grandma of one enrolled on the course to explore her creativity after 20 years working in care homes.

"I am finding the course extremely educational; I am learning so much! I wish I had done this earlier (I am a mature student). The writing tasks can be quite daunting, but it has made me realise the importance of the written side of art."