UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice (Graphic Design, Animation and Digital Arts)

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When & Where

8 September 2025 - 23 June 2027 ( 540 hours, 70 weeks )
Morning, Afternoon, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
View course timetable
Chelsea Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes (course free to 16-18 year olds)
Tutor Adrian Phillips
Course Code C25DSNF01A
Suitable For This course is free for 16-18s

What you will learn

Create for the screen, print and the web. Turn your ideas and stories into visual interactive experiences. Immerse yourself in exploration. Develop, design, animate, illustrate and build your creative future! This exciting two-year Level 3 course gives you the opportunity to explore design for the screen, the page and the web through graphic design, animation and illustration using a balance of digital and non-digital skills and techniques. You will work towards the UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice Art, Design & Communication in year 1, which is equivalent to 1.5 A levels and the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in year 2, which is equivalent to 3 A levels in total. You will develop a portfolio of work unique to your own specialist interests through a hands on learning experience where you will develop skills in industry software such as image manipulation and illustration, working with digital technologies such as Adobe creative software together with a powerful set of traditional skills in printmaking and design that will ensure that if you progress to higher education or industry you have a competitive edge. You will receive industry relevant briefs and have opportunities to work with employers on projects set by and led by them in branding and web design. You will be based in a dedicated specialist creative centre in central London near museums, galleries and the historic King’s Road, a short walk from Fulham Broadway tube station. You will be supported and encouraged to develop your own visual language through a portfolio of work that reflects your interests in your chosen pathway. Career pathways can include:• Animator• Illustrator• Graphic designer• Motion graphics designer• Web designer• Multimedia artist• Art Director• Creative Director• Social media and marketing designer• Advertising designer• UX & UI• Concept artist• Comic artist• Packaging designer• Branding designer

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Understand the creative process
Develop creative practice
Respond to a set brief
Research specialist industry practices
Apply specialist skills for graphics, web design, illustration and animation
Produce specialist creative outcomes
Develop a portfolio of work in graphics, web/digital design, animation or illustration
Apply to universities to continue your studies
Complete work experience and employer-led briefs
Attend lectures and presentations by industry experts and practitioners
Develop communication and presentation skills
On successful completion of the course, you will achieve the following qualification: Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication [UAL]

On successful completion of the course, you will achieve the following qualification: Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication [UAL]

Class format and activities

You will work as part of a close-knit creative community responding to industry relevant briefs. You will work closely with your peers sharing and refining ideas and taking part in workshops and group activities. You will have access to practical activities and workshops supported by course resources on Microsoft Teams. Your learning is further enriched with a range of study visits to museums and galleries. Industry engagement and live projects develop the skills and independence required to progress to degree courses, apprenticeships or appropriate entry level roles within the creative industry. Assessment methods: Achievement on the course will be measured by completion of projects, course units and the final major projects. Your progress towards achieving the learning outcomes will be reviewed throughout the course. At the start of the course you will have an opportunity to discuss these with your tutor and set your own personal targets, linked to the learning outcomes and future goals. In order to ensure you make the best possible progress on your course, you will have regular constructive and supportive feedback from your tutors.

Entry requirements

You will need four GCSEs of 4 or above including English or Maths. If you are under 19 and are yet to achieve you GCSE English or maths at grade 4 you will be provided with the opportunity to study these. This is an important and mandatory requirement of your Study Programme and non-attendance will result in withdrawal. Entry can be supported for students applying from alternative routes where a full package of GCSEs may not have been studied. For further information please email the course contact.

What you need to know before you enrol

This is an exciting, energetic course that embraces a wide range of digital and non-digital graphic design and illustration skills. It is a proactive and forward-thinking course placing you at the centre of contemporary practice in graphics and illustration. You will be expected to put time in outside of course hours to achieve a high standard of work.

What you need

This is an exciting, energetic course that embraces a wide range of digital and non-digital graphic design, animation, web design and illustration skills. It is a proactive and forward-thinking course placing you at the centre of contemporary practice in graphic communication, design and illustration. You will be expected to put time in outside of course hours to achieve a high standard of work.

What you can do next

With this industry design led qualification and the rich experience on offer at Chelsea you can progress on to Higher Education at Morley College or other providers, apprenticeships or appropriate entry level roles within the industry. Here is a link to the National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/graphic-designer