Graphic Communication A Level

Step 1: Apply

Step 2: Interviews and taster events

As part of your application you will be invited to book an interview, to discuss your chosen course, where you will meet with an academic tutor from your chosen area of study for an informal discussion about your course choices, to ensure you have chosen the best course for your future ambitions.

This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss anything about the course that you are unsure about. Please ensure you check your confirmation email for full details, so you do not miss your appointment.

You are initially only able to book an interview for your first choice course, please let us know if you would subsequently like to be able to book interviews for other courses by emailing admissions@paston.ac.uk

Step 3: Offer

This stage provides you with an outcome of your recent interview, which will confirm if you have been made an offer of a place on your chosen course.

All offers are provisional until the point of enrolment and most of our course offers are conditional, meaning there is entry criteria you need to meet before enrolling. This will be outlined in your offer letter.

Sometimes we are unable to offer you a place on your chosen course. If this happens the reasons will be discussed with you at your appointment and we will look at alternative options with you. We will be in contact to confirm the outcome and what to do next. We also have a team of specialist Course Advisers who are more than happy to look at alternative options with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step 4: Enrolment

Enrolment is the final stage before starting your course with us and takes place within the last two weeks of August. We require you to be available to attend your appointment in person at college, so we can complete all the required steps to enrolling you on your chosen course.

We may ask you to bring some documents with you so please read your enrolment invitation carefully.

Graphics gives you the opportunity to learn and use a range of visual language skills using digital and hand-drawn techniques. You learn the elements of effective design by working to a series of set briefs and your own personal projects. As the course progresses, you will develop a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of design and gain confidence in the use of techniques before going on to explore your own identity and areas of interest. In the first year, you will learn how to keep a sketchbook and document a development of ideas. You will learn how to develop a critical and analytical understanding of historical and contemporary design and how this can inspire and influence your work. You will also learn how to experiment and take risks with typography, illustration and imagery and how to apply these to advertisements, branding or campaigns. In the second year, you will develop a personal project through independent study, lessons and tutorials and write a 1,000-3,000 word critical assignment linked to your personal project that will focus on an element of design that interests you. We take opportunities wherever possible for you to view a range of work from various artists both locally and nationally.

If you’re interested in applying to study a degree level graphics course, there will be one to one portfolio sessions that will help you select the best work to show at interviews. Norwich University of the Arts also come in to discuss portfolios and interviews to ensure that you are well prepared for your next step. Graphic Communication will appeal to you if you want to express your creativity in ways that can be applied to the worlds of advertising, illustration and typography. This subject will also appeal to you if you’re considering degree level courses or careers in these areas. Graphics can be studied alongside any of our art based A Level subjects as well as alongside any other Paston College A Level subjects.

You will be assessed through a variety of coursework and will be asked to complete preparatory studies to complete a finished piece of work completed under exam conditions.

3 A Level Programme

Minimum of 66444 at GCSE

You must also study English/Maths GCSE if you have not already achieved grade 4 in these subjects.

If you achieve a minimum of 3 GCSE's at grade 8 plus 5 at grade 7 and your English Language and Maths are at minimum grade 4, you will have the option to join the A Plus programme.

Please note that A Plus is designed for applicants to academic courses at Oxford, Cambridge or Russel Group.

This course helps you to prepare for the next step in your creative career. Many students go directly on to degree courses at a wide range of universities and/or art schools to study Graphics and/or other visual art disciplines.