Design Degrees Online

For entry on to the course you will be expected to have successfully completed Foundation Studies in Art & Design and possess two A-levels and five GCSEs (including three passes in academic subjects) at grade C or above. We also welcome applicants with qualifications equivalent to these. as part of your application you will be asked to submit a portfolio of your art and design work.

The University of the Arts, of which Central Saint Martins is a part, has a commitment to improving access to education for those without formal qualifications. Therefore we also consider applicants who are able to show evidence of experiential learning, which is equivalent to the required formal qualifications.

English language requirements
All classes are conducted in English, so you will be required to have a fluent understanding of the language. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability. We strongly advise international applicants to take an IELTS test as soon as they consider studying in the UK. Minimum scores for entry on to a BA (Honours) course are as follows:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.0
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): hand written test: 530-547, computer based test: 196-210 , internet based test: 72-78.

We provide free tuition in English for international students and regular workshops in the language of art and design. We also offer a number of short courses that enable students from overseas to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course.

Suitable candidates
We are looking for people who are passionate about design and who have a fascination for the visual world around them. Students on the course need to have a mature outlook and be highly self-motivated.

Portfolio advice
Your portfolio should demonstrate design development, whether for a college project or in your personal work. By design development, we mean designs and design ideas that have originated through your own experience and visual research and progressed through logical stages to a finished design solution. This could be two-dimensional work or made objects. Although we would like to see some evidence of 3-dimensional work it does not necessarily need to be related to product design.

It is important that the design work you include reflects and demonstrates your creative thinking, initiative and personal commitment to a particular project. Good drawing and sketching skills are also important.

Interviews
Both at interview and in your portfolio we are interested in you as an individual: your personal interests, your creativity and initiative in finding out about your proposed area of study. We would like to know about your favourite designers and artists, where you have seen their work at first hand and how you have acquired more information about the art and design that interests you. We are also interested in the design-related books and magazines you read.

Art and Design A Level is a subject for students who take real pleasure in the visual world. It is Fine Art based and enables you to develop an understanding of all things visual – both in practical terms- you will learn traditional drawing and painting skills as well as new media techniques, and also theoretical terms – you will be encouraged to look at a broad range of artists and to review your own work in relation to the artists you have studied. There is an important written component to the coursework which necessitates analysing your own work as a way of improving and developing it.

The teaching takes place at the Richmond Road site which forms the School of Art, Design and Media and students benefit from the highly creative atmosphere there, working alongside other students studying a broad range of Art related qualifications.
Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs at grade C or above, we would expect at least a C at Art plus normally English and Mathematics
Content and Assessment

Four units are examined, two for the AS and two more for the full A Level. Unit 1 at AS level and Unit 3 at A2 level are made up entirely of coursework and carry 60 % of the overall AS and A2 marks. Unit 2 at AS Level and Unit 4 at A2 Level make up 40% of the overall marks and are exam based. The subject matter for the exam is set by Edexcel each year and made available to students in February. The AS and A2 marks are aggregated to form the overall A Level grade.
Coursework

This is an entirely practical subject and in effect 100 per cent coursework.
Progression

Art combines well with other creative A Level subjects and is an essential requirement for creative courses at Art Colleges/Universities. There are many opportunities in our design-conscious world for careers using the skills you will develop.
Additional Information

You will need your own set of A2 size flip folders to present your coursework in and a basic range of art materials to enable you to complete work at home. You will be given advice about this at the start of the course. You will also have the opportunity to visit galleries to study artists work at first hand.

Design is simply about the way we make things look good and work. In the visual arts it includes work in 2 and 3 dimensions such as Graphic Design and Product Design.
Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs at grades D-G or Foundation GNVQ/Introductor yDiploma or equivalent Level 1 or Level 2 qualifications/related work experience.
You will need to bring to interview a portfolio of art and design work.

Successful interview and satisfactory referece

International Entry Requirements:

English Language Level IELTS 5.0 or an equivalent English Language Certificate. High School Leaving Certificate at C grade and above or other related comparable qualifications. Portfolio of work. Satisfactory reference,
Course Duration

1 year, full time
Content

This course will help you develop an understanding of how art and design work. You will be introduced to the kinds of skills and knowledge needed to be an effective artist or designer.

The programme is unit based and assessments are made throughout the course. Core units introduce 2D and 3D Visual Communication. Students will be given the opportunity to specialise in Graphic Design, Photography, Fashion, Textiles, 3D Design Fine Art and Digital Media. (It may not be possible to offer all these options but choices will be made in line with student needs in any given year.)
Progression

On successful completion you will gain a BTEC First Diploma in Art and Design graded at pass, merit or distinction (Level 2, equivalent to 4 A*-C grade GCSEs). For students wishing to apply for a National Diploma in a related subject, successful completion of the First Diploma together with an excellent reference, successful interview and portfolio of work are required.
Additional Information

While some materials and equipment are provided, you will be expected to pay for most of your own equipment and materials, much of which is available from the College Shop. There will also be a number of trips and visits which will incur some travel and entry costs. For further information and an application form please contact The School of Art and Design on 020 8939 4601.

Graphic design is all about visual communication. We see it around us everyday in advertising, magazines, books, posters and billboards, CD covers and web sites. The work of a Graphic Designer is evident anywhere when a message, an idea or an emotion needs to be conveyed with words or images, or a combination of both.
Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements are either 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, BTEC First Diploma in Art and Design or a GNVQ Intermediate Award at Merit level.

A portfolio of art and design work is needed for your interview, which should demonstrate visual sensitivity and an awareness and enthusiasm for design. School leavers should present a school profile and all applicants will be asked for a recent reference. Prior learning or experience will be accredited.

International Entry Requirements:

High School Leaving Certificate at C grade or above or other related comparable qualifications. Portfolio of work, satisfactory reference. IELTS 5.0 or an equivalent English Language Certificate

This two year, full time course is designed to introduce you to the main areas of 2D and 3D Art and Design. It provides practical experience as well as enabling students to focus on specific subject areas in greater depth. The different disciplines include Graphic Design, Fine Art, Fashion, Textiles, 3D Design and Art. The course will also give students the opportunity to appreciate the work of other artists and designers and to learn about associated business and professional practice.
Entry Requirements

The minimum requirements are 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, First Diploma in Art and Design or a GNVQ Intermediate Award. A portfolio of art and design work is needed for your interview, which should demonstrate an awareness and enthusiasm for design. Prior learning or experience can be accredited. A successful interview and satisfactory reference are required.

International Entry Requirements:

High School Leaving Certificate at C grade or above or other related comparable qualifications. Portfolio of work, satisfactory reference. IELTS 5.0 or an equivalent English Language Certificate

Introduction
Advanced GNVQ
Merit in GNVQ Full Award (12 units).
Acceptable GNVQ subjects are Art and Design, Design Technology and Product Design.
National Diploma/Certificate
Suitable subjects include Art, Design or Design Technology.
Applications considered on an individual basis.
Minimum of 3 merits in the final year is required.
Access Courses and Extended Degrees
Suitable Access programmes are Art and Design, Design and Technology.
Four GCSE passes (A-C) including English Language or English Language at an equivalent A-C grade as part of the Access course.
Course must contain Physics and Mathematics.
It is normal practice to interview Access students.
Foundation Year Courses
Students completing a Foundation Year at another university typically need: 120 credits in suitable subjects.
Suitable subjects include Art and Design, Design and Technology or Product Design (other subjects will be considered).
Key Skills
Key skills gained at Level 3 will be considered in the overall UCAS tariff points total.
Irish Leaving Certificate
Minimum of four C grades at honours level including Art, Design, Technology, Product Design subjects. Passes at Ordinary level in English and Mathematics.
Scottish qualifications
Scottish Higher - minimum of four C grades in subjects in Design/Technology, Art/Design subjects. Passes at Ordinary level in English and Mathematics.
Applicants may be asked to provide a certificate proving that they have completed at least six years of secondary education.
Combined qualifications (Curriculum 2000)
At least a Merit in either a) two 6-Unit qualifications, or b) one 12-Unit AGNVQ. Applicants taking the two 6-unit qualifications, can present two GCE Advanced, or two AGNVQ, or one of each.
At least three GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Mathematics.
Mature Applicants
If you are over 21, and you do not hold the normal entrance requirements, the University welcomes your application.
As a mature student, you will be considered provided that you are educated to O-level standard and have relevant industry experience.
We assess you on a wide range of indicators including: Interviews, where applicants will be considered based on records of achievement, work experience, diagnostic tests and capacity to successfully complete the course.
Baccalaureate
Applicants who have a French, European or International Baccalaureate as a main qualification will normally need to have a minimum of 30 points.
Transfer Applicants
Applicants wishing to transfer from another institution will be considered on an individual basis.
Exceptional Entry
Applicants who have experience and qualifications that do not fit into the above categories will be considered on an individual basis.
Applicants will normally be assessed by interview.
Direct Entry to Second and Third Years
Admission with credit, including arrangement of AP(E)L, will be according to the current issue of the University’s Academic Policies, Regulations and Procedures.
Interviews and Selection
All applicants are required to attend an evaluation afternoon, where they will be assessed on their mathematical and drawing skills.
Candidates will be given full information on the University, the course as well as given a tour of the facilities.

UCAS Tariff Calculator

The UCAS website has a tariff calculator which works out how many points your qualifications are worth.

Entry Requirements

A good portfolio, plus at least four GCSEs at grade C minimum, including English Language or equivalent qualifications or experience.