Study at PSC

In Fine Art, the emphasis is placed on the exploration of traditional 2D media such as  painting, drawing, printmaking and digital work. Year 1 is diagnostic - you explore, experiment and reflect on your skill set within your projects as you build an understanding of A Level. Don't be afraid to try and to fail - Year 1 is your learning year as you adjust to a new way of working.  The development of your individual responses to your personal experience start during year one as you build skills, awareness and concepts.

In Year 2 you complete your self chosen Component 1 Personal Investigation. Students often continue with themes they have touched on in Year 1 and want to develop more thoroughly. You will also complete your Component 2 Externally Set Assignment(exam) and this will conclude your studies in May. 

Throughout the course you will be  encouraged to make connections with the work of other artists and the wider cultural context of art. 

Projects are introduced by your art tutor in the first phase of the course, this is followed by assignments tailored more to your own particular concerns. Our aim, particularly in your first year, is to adopt a flexible approach that can respond directly to your interests, ideas, needs and cumulative experience.

Year 1:

You will receive continual assessment on your progress through one to one tutorials. Your final assessment for your A level is as follows:

• Project 1: Coursework Portfolio
  This phase provides the basis for one extensive practical project. Alongside this work you will be expected to build up evidence of your critical awareness of the wider context of art within culture to complement and inform your practical work.
• Component 2: Mock Exam Assignment
  Towards the end of the first year you will complete a Mock Exam Assignment. This involves a preparation period of approximately ten weeks and mimics the timings of the Year 2 Exam.

Year 2:

• Component 1: Personal investigation 
  This involves one, extended, in-depth coursework project using skills acquired during the first year. It also includes a written log of your progress between 1000 – 3000 words.
• Component 2: Externally-Set Assignment
  Your response to externally set questions. This involves a preparation period of approximately 10 weeks plus 15 hours of unaided supervised time.

A large number of our students continue their art studies on degree courses across the UK as well as on local art foundation courses in preparation for degree level. 

Careers in the arts are numerous and include Professional Fine Artist , Curation, Conservation, Commercial Art, Graphic Design, Textiles, Fashion, Ceramics, Interior Design, Theatre Design, Architecture, Jewellery making, Photography, Film Animation and Video. 

As a creatively trained person you will have acquired a huge range of transferable skills such as an ability to project manage, to work independently, to respond positively to critical feedback and to work to a creative deadline. 

A relatively modest art kit fee will set you up at the start for your course requirements. We have a shop on site that sells art materials at cost price to students as well if you need to top up. Art consumables are expensive, and should you wish to use more specialised media this may well involve some personal expense. The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.