Quick facts
| Qualification type |
Level 3 Extended Diploma |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Study times |
You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:15 to 4:00. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction. |
| Entry requirements |
4 x GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. At least one of these should be Maths or English. Entry is via an interview where your commitment, enthusiasm and motivation should shine through. |
| Campus |
Leonardo House, West Suffolk College sixth form campus, Bury St Edmunds |
| Work placements | Work related experience |
Is it for me?
The Art and Design (General) Level 3 Extended Diploma is an established and outstanding course.
You will learn and develop a broad range of hands-on creative, technical and professional skills. These include illustration, fine art, design skills, 3D/sculpture, digital work, animation, printmaking, painting, games design and photography. You will also learn about digital media and art software.
This course is delivered across different assignments in specialist studios with professional staff. As your course progresses, you will focus more on your own creative interests and individual skills, alongside professional standards, personal development and employability skills. This mix of structured teaching and the culture of open expression are at the core of courses.
We love doing as many enriching things as possible, including trips, residentials, exhibitions, live assignments and freelance work opportunities.
Please be aware this course is in popular demand. Any applications received at this time of the year for this course are welcome and you will be invited for an interview however, it is likely that you will be placed on a reserve list.
What you'll learn
Creative and Technical skills:
- 2D illustration and design skills
- Drawing and painting
- 3D making skills - media and processes
- Printmaking
- Animation
- Digital: various software - including Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Idea generation
- Exploration and experimentation of media and processes
- Independent development of studio work into own unique outcomes
- Contextual studies - historical and modern international art and design and connections to the wider world.
Professional Skills:
- Working on 'live' assignments
- Meeting deadlines
- Working with focus and independence
- Communication
- Presentation of outcomes
- Online professional social media profile
Work experience placements
Work related experience is encouraged as part of this course, this practical experience is invaluable for your creative journey and future career prospects. By actively engaging in hands-on work, you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills you acquire in the classroom to real-life situations.
Assessment
This course is assessed by deadline-driven coursework with no exams. All coursework is assessed at Pass, Merit, Distinction levels against the qualification unit criteria. We are proud to be a University of the Arts London (UAL) accredited college, the largest creative awarding body in Europe.
Further study
- Art and Design Foundation Diploma Level 3
- BA(Hons) Video Games Design
- BA(Hons) Art Practice
- BA(Hons) Graphic Communication
Example careers
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- 3-D Animator
- Web Designer
- Creative Director
- Photographer
- Videographer
- UX Designer
- Art Director
- Artist
- VFX Supervisor
- Architect
- Interior Designer
- Art Teacher
- Product Designer
- Art Therapist
Days & times
Starting September 2025