Complete University of the Arts London Occupational Qualification Art and Design specification revision resources. Tailored syllabus coverage with topic breakdowns, quizzes, and practice questions.
Overview
The University of the Arts London (UAL) Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design are highly respected vocational qualifications designed to develop your creative skills and prepare you for higher education or employment in the creative industries. Unlike traditional A-levels, this qualification focuses on practical exploration, experimentation, and portfolio building, giving you the freedom to work across a wide range of media and techniques.
The course is structured around project-based learning, where you will engage with drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, textiles, printmaking, and more. You will be encouraged to take risks, develop your own visual language, and respond to briefs in innovative ways. Contextual studies and reflective practice are embedded throughout, ensuring you can articulate your ideas and place your work in a critical framework.
The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A-levels and carries UCAS points for university entry. It is recognised by leading art schools and employers worldwide, with many students progressing directly to degree courses at UAL’s constituent colleges, such as Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion, and Chelsea College of Arts.
Why Choose University of the Arts London for Art and Design?
Outstanding progression to higher education: UAL qualifications are designed with input from UAL’s world-renowned colleges, and many students gain direct entry to top art schools, often with advanced standing.
Industry-focused and specialist: UAL is a specialist awarding body for the creative arts, so the curriculum is tailored to current industry practice, ensuring your portfolio and skills are relevant and competitive.
Flexible and student-centred: The course structure allows you to explore multiple disciplines before specialising, helping you discover your strengths and adapt your learning to your artistic interests.
Assessment & Exam Structure
Assessment is entirely coursework-based, with no written examinations. You will produce a substantial portfolio of practical work, sketchbooks, and a final major project in the second year of the Extended Diploma. Your work is internally assessed and externally moderated by UAL Awarding Body. Each unit is graded Pass, Merit, or Distinction, and the overall qualification grade is calculated from unit achievements. The Extended Diploma comprises 180 credits, with the Final Major Project carrying significant weighting.
Specification Topics
- Applied professional practice
- An integrated approach to 2D problem solving in art and design
- The Creative Process
- Introduction to research skills in art and design
- An integrated approach to time-based problem solving in art and design
- Project proposal and realisation in art and design
- Introduction to communication skills in art and design
- Solving time based creative problems
- Drawing Materials and Methods
- Drawing and Writing
- Professional development project
- Drawing and Research
- Consolidating Practice
- Solving 2D Creative Problems
- Opportunities for progression in art and design
- Solving Time-Based Creative Problems
- Developing Creative Practice
- Establishing principles of technical and production practice
- Solving 2D creative problems
- Introduction to Materials, Processes and Skills in Art, Design and Media
- Art, Design and Media Project
- Drawing and Mapping
- An integrated approach to 3D problem solving in art and design
- Drawing and Light
- Solving 3D Creative Problems
- Drawing into 3 Dimensions
- Drawings, Surfaces and Textures
- Introduction to critical and contextual awareness in art and design
- Introduction to materials, processes and technical skills in art and design
- Responding to a set brief
- Developing an art and design project
- Introduction to Contextual Research in Art, Design and Media
- Drawing and Reproduction
- Drawing and Communication
- Developing drawing skills for vocational practice
- Developing and producing a personal project in art & design
- Introduction to Communication Skills in Art, Design and Media
- Drawing and Measurement
- Researching a Specialist Industry Practice
- Applying drawing skills in response to a brief
- Developing Specialist Practice
- Preparation for progression in art and design
- Engaging with an audience in art and design
- Introduction to contextual research in art and design
- Specialist Practice in Art and Design
- Specialist Technical Skills Development
- Creative and Communications Skills in Art and Design
- Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice
- Exploratory Study in Visual Arts
- Characteristics and contexts in art and design
- Diagnostic Investigation in Art and Design
- Specialist Creative Outcome
- Specialist Investigation in Visual Arts
- Introduction to visual language in art and design
- Introduction to drawing skills
- Solving 3D creative problems
Top Exam Board Tips
- Keep a reflective diary of workplace experiences.
- Learn from mistakes by analysing root causes.
- Always follow company policies and risk assessments.
- Show your working process through sketches and annotations.
- Critically evaluate each stage to demonstrate improvement.
- Ensure your final piece clearly addresses the brief.
- Keep a sketchbook or journal to record your process.
- Use a variety of idea generation techniques.
- Always link your work back to the brief and intent.
- Build a research file that is both systematic and reflective, annotating each source's relevance
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not understanding how departments interrelate.
- Failing to document problem-solving processes.
- Overlooking health and safety procedures.
- Relying on a single technique without exploring alternatives.
- Neglecting to document the evaluation process.
- Failing to link research directly to the final solution.
- Skipping research and jumping straight to final ideas.
- Neglecting to document the creative process for assessment.
Key Terminology & Definitions
- 1. Understand the purpose and role of each department and key function within the organisation.2. Be able to apply relevant technical and production skills and knowledge within a professional work context.3. Be able to solve practical and technical issues/problems within the working environment.4. Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of operational policies and risk management at the employing organisation.5. Be able to use evaluative and analytical skills in order to take responsibility for their own learning.
- Be able to analyse and research a 2 dimensional problem in art and design, Be able to use an integrated approach to 2 dimensional problem solving in art and design, Be able to use evaluation to support solutions to problems in 2 dimensions in art and design
- LO1: Understand the role of the creative process within the creative industriesLO2:Understand how to plan a response to a briefLO3: Understand the role of research within the creative processLO4: Understand intent and purpose within the creative process LO5:Understand the role of visual language to record and communicate ideasLO6: Understand how reflective practice informs and directs the creative processLO7: Understand methods for generating ideas within a brief
- Primary research techniques
- Secondary source analysis
- Research documentation
- Critical evaluation of sources
- Application of research to creative briefs
- Be able to analyse and research a time based problem in art and design, Be able to use an integrated approach to time based problem solving in art and design, Be able to use evaluation to support solutions to problems in time based art and design
- Be able to initiate and develop an art and design project proposal, Be able to use research, analysis and evaluation to develop solutions for an art and design project, Be able to solve practical, theoretical and technical problems in an art and design project, Be able to plan, organise and produce an art and design project, Be able to use practical methods and skills in an art and design project, Be able to use evaluative and reflective skills in an art and design project, Be able to present an art and design project
- Understand communication methods and skills, Be able to use communication methods and skills
- Be able to use drawing and research skills for time based art and design, Be able to use contextual awareness for time based art and design, Be able to use materials, processes and technical for time based art and design
- Know the characteristics of drawing materials and methods., Understand the potential of materials and methods in relation to creative activities.
- Understand forms of drawing and writing., Be able to use drawing and writing to influence appearance and meaning., Understand contextual perspectives and approaches to drawing and writing.
- Interplay of text and image