Personal Investigation

The Personal Investigation is a central component of the Pearson Edexcel A-Level Art and Design qualification, accounting for 60% of the total A-Level mark. This unit requires you to develop a sustained, self-directed project that integrates practical making, critical analysis, and contextual understanding. You will choose your own theme, question, or issue to explore, producing a portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to research, experiment, refine, and present a coherent body of work. The investigation culminates in a written component of 1000–3000 words that supports and contextualises your practical outcomes.

This topic matters because it mirrors professional artistic practice, where artists and designers initiate and manage their own projects from concept to completion. It assesses your ability to work independently, think creatively, and articulate your ideas visually and verbally. The Personal Investigation allows you to specialise in areas of personal interest, whether that's fine art, graphic communication, textile design, or three-dimensional design, and to develop a unique artistic voice. Success in this unit demonstrates your readiness for higher education or creative industry careers, as it showcases your capacity for sustained inquiry and critical reflection.

The Personal Investigation fits into the wider A-Level course as the major synoptic unit, drawing together skills and knowledge from all previous components. It builds on the foundation of Component 1 (Coursework) and Component 2 (Externally Set Assignment) by requiring a deeper level of personal engagement and intellectual rigour. The investigation is assessed against four objectives: develop ideas through investigations, refine work through experimentation, record ideas and observations, and present a personal and meaningful response. These objectives ensure that your work is both creative and academically sound.