Quick facts
| Qualification type |
Level 2 Diploma |
| Duration | 1 year |
| 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 |
2 x GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. Entry is via an interview where your commitment, enthusiasm and motivation should shine through. No GSCE qualifications or previous Art and Design experience are necessary. |
| Campus |
Leonardo House, West Suffolk College Sixth Form campus, Bury St Edmunds |
| Work placements | Work related experience |
Is it for me?
Our Level 2 Digital Arts course is a busy, inspiring and imaginative educational adventure. With hard work, the course will lead you into the thriving UK and global creative-digital industries. Working alongside others with similar interests and ambitions is a special thing - building friendships and business relationships that can last a lifetime.
Students work on a variety of assignments that target imagination, digital skills, individual expression, and professional standards. You will be taught by skilled professional artists and designers. You will become fluent with creative software and processes with speed. Bringing you personality to your work is key. On this course you will produce outcomes that you will be truly proud of. The assignments encourage individual flair and fascinations to flourish.
Students will be required to build an online business presence to showcase their work and skills. You will also exhibit your work throughout the year and at our End of Year Show.
What you'll learn
Creative and Technical skills:
- 2D digital illustration and design skills
- Animation skills
- Digital art with various software - including Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- 3D digital software
- Photography
- Use of hardware such as a graphics tablet
- Idea generation
- Exploration and experimentation of media and processes
- Independent development of studio work into own unique outcomes
- Contextual studies - historical and modern creative practice and wider world inspirations
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
- Art and Design Foundation Diploma Level 3 - Digital Art Pathway
- Computer Games Design and Development Extended Diploma Level 3
- Interactive Media and Computer Arts Extended Diploma Level 3
- Visual Special Effects and Animation (including Model Making) Extended Diploma Level 3
Example careers
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- 3-D Animator
- Web Designer
- Creative Director
- Photographer
- Videographer
- UX Designer
- VFX Supervisor
- Interior Designer
- Art Teacher
- Product Designer
Days & times
Starting September 2025