UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Graphic Design and Illustration

When & Where

2 September 2024 - 25 June 2026 ( 540 hours, 70 weeks )
Chelsea Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes (course free to 16-18 year olds)
Course Code C24DSNF01A
Suitable For This course is free for 16-18s

What you will learn

This exciting two year Level 3 course gives you the opportunity to explore across the hugely successful and thrilling world of Design where the UK is a world leader. 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. There are three core units to this course per year, that all inform and support each other allowing you to develop the cross disciplinary skills in digital, design and drawing that the industry now needs. You will develop a portfolio of work unique to your own specialist interests through a hand 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. The specialist lecturers that will teach you are industry experts and will support you with individual tutorials and practical workshops. You will receive industry relevant briefs that will allow you to develop ideas and exciting outcomes. We will encourage you to establish your voice as a designer and communicate ideas in a powerful and memorable way. Exploit the opportunities of each field to develop an industry facing portfolio rich in your own unique creative voice. You will be based in a dedicated specialist creative centre in central London near museums, galleries and the historic Kings Road, a short walk from Fulham Broadway tube station. Small class sizes will ensure that you are supported and encouraged to develop your own visual language through a portfolio of work that reflects your interests in your chosen pathway.

Learning Outcomes

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

Research a specialist industry practice
Apply specialist skills development
Develop a portfolio of work in graphics and 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
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]

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

You will have an enthusiastic approach to trying a range of opportunities, disciplines and experiences and be excited by creating your own personal unique voice. You will embrace a creative community equally excited by what you have to offer and be ready to collaborate and challenge your understanding of the world in which we live.

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