Study Art & Design, why & how to study

CONTENTS

1. What’s Art & Design?

2. What Art & Design degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto an Art & Design degree?

4. What topics does an Art & Design degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Art & Design?

7. What do Art & Design graduates earn?

8. What jobs can you get as an Art & Design graduate?

9. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

10. Similar subjects to Art & Design

11. Have any questions?

What’s Art & Design?

Any range or product of creative human activity can be defined as art. Most well associated are the visual arts, such as painting and sculpture. As well as fine art, this subject area also includes design disciplines, from graphic design and illustration to fashion, costume, craft and industrial design.

A lot of the process includes planning and testing out different styles and techniques. Coming up with ideas is just as important as the creation of the art itself.

What Art & Design degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Art & Design include:

• Creative Technology BSc
• Fashion Jewellery BA
• Fine Art BFA/BA
• Graphic Design BA
• History, Communication and Curation BA
• Product and Industrial Design BA

Options may include an integrated foundation year (Year 0), study abroad or professional placement year.

What do you need to get onto an Art & Design degree?

Entry requirements for an Art & Design degree at a university range from 64–165 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.

• A Levels: AAA–C
• BTECs: DDD–MPP
• Scottish Highers: AAAAA– BBC (Advanced Highers: AAB–B)
• International Baccalaureate: 38–24

Good subjects to have studied include:

• Art, design and essay-based subjects at A Level (or equivalent)
• General studies and critical thinking A Levels may be excluded from offers
• GCSE grades may also be considered
• Some courses will ask for a foundation diploma in the subject area; others will include a foundation year as part of a longer undergraduate course

Experience that would look good on your application:

• Work experience or shadowing related occupations, such as in a gallery, design agency, print workshop or photographer’s
• Volunteering with an arts organisation, or involvement in workshops or clubs for children or families
• Entering exhibitions or taking part in competitions
• Developing your artistic skills and knowledge through extra courses or online learning – you may be able to find free online courses/MOOCs
• Reading books or arts journals, going to galleries and exhibitions or using Google Arts & Culture or national gallery websites to find influential practitioners that inspire you, past and present
• Finding out about careers through the websites of professional bodies, the Crafts Council, Artquest or the Artist's Information Company (a-n)
• If eligible, attending an art summer school run by the Sutton Trust

Other requirements for this subject include:

• Portfolio
• Pass in the practical element of science if taken at A Level
• An interview may be required by some universities

What topics does an Art & Design degree cover?

Some courses – such as Fine Art – may have few specified modules, focusing primarily on studio practice, art history and contemporary practice. Typical modules for design courses may include:

• Communication design
• Core ideas and concepts of graphic design practice
• Design culture
• Design methods: the lab, the studio and the workshop
• Digital competencies and production skills
• History and influence of graphic design
• Idea generation and communication
• Industry briefs
• Typography and writing systems

How will you be assessed?

Study an Art & Design course and you'll mainly be assessed through coursework. Assessments may include:

• Continuous coursework assessment
• Essays
• Exams
• In-class reviews
• Observed practical work
• Presentations
• A dissertation is usually a final year option

Why study Art & Design?

If you are self-motivated and passionate about visual art or love the challenge of working creatively to a design brief, an Art & Design course might be suitable for you.

Career-specific skills:

• Practical skills in your area of expertise, whether in the use of art materials and methods or design software and techniques
• Knowledge of historic and contemporary practice that influence creative directions

Transferable skills:

• Adaptability
• Communication
• Creative problem solving
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Digital skills
• Entrepreneurial skills
• Presentations

Professional accreditation:

• Design degrees may be accredited by a related professional body – for example product design may be accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology
• Some degrees may include accreditation in the use of software, such as Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

What do Art & Design graduates earn?

Art & Design graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £17,000–£21,000.

Artists generally need income from sources aside from their practice, particularly when starting out. Working in arts administration, you could earn £20,000–£30,000 with experience – though you may opt for part-time employment to allow time for your artistic work. Train to become an art therapist working in the NHS and you’d start on £32,000 (Band 6), rising to £45,800 for a lead therapist with over five years’ experience.

For a graphic designer, a starting salary might be £15,000–£25,000, depending on your location in the UK and the company you work for. A senior designer may earn an average of £37,500, while a move to creative director could boost your income to £60,000 or more.

What jobs can you get as an Art & Design graduate?

If you have the skills and talent, an Art & Design degree can lead to an exciting career. Artists commonly supplement their income with jobs in a related area. Design graduates are likely to work in their specific field. However, your adaptability and skills will suit a wide variety of career paths.

• Advertising art director
• Art therapist
• Arts administrator or officer
• Community arts worker
• Digital marketer
• Editorial assistant
• Film set designer
• Graphic designer
• Illustrator
• Model maker
• Multimedia worker
• Product designer
• Teacher
• Web designer

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate study in Art & Design provides the chance to specialise. To become a teacher, Art & Design graduates will need to complete postgraduate teacher training, which may include a PGCE. Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

• Arts, Enterprise and Development MA
• Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects MA
• Ergonomics and Human Factors PGCert/PGDip/MSc
• Fine Art DPhil/MFA
• Graphic Design and Visualisation MA

Similar subjects to Art & Design

If you appreciate the arts or enjoy the creative process, you could also consider:

• Animation
• Architecture
• Communication & Media Studies
• Creative Writing
• Drama, Dance & Cinematics
• English
• Fashion
• Film Making
• History of Art, Architecture & Design
• Interior Design
• Photography

Have any questions?

If you have questions about studying Art & Design, you can email our experts at ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk. We’ll be happy to hear from you!