Levels
Explained
Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in graphic design, fine arts, photography, or another creative field, we’ll guide you through the options, highlighting the best course to match your interests, skill level, and future goals.
Not sure which course or level is right for you? Jemma, our Head of Vocational Training, is here to guide you! In the video above, she’ll talk you through the options and help you find the course that fits your goals and skills.
Beginner Course
Develop your skills in an art, design, photography, or music subject. Or, have fun learning a new skill on a recreational course.
Level 2 Course
Consolidate your learning and attain a nationally recognised college certificate (GCSE/Level 2 Cert/BTEC equivalent).
University Course
Progress to Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in a subject of your choice, studied online or at University.
Level 1 Course
Begin your formal education in art, music, photography, or design.
Level 3 Course
Progress to advanced level study (A Level or Foundation Diploma), develop your media portfolio and apply to university.
Your Career
Start your journey in your dream creative profession as a qualified artist, musician, photographer, designer or other field. We are the online art and design college to take you in the right direction.
Explore Our Art Courses
Key Stage 3 Art – Online Course
10 years and over. Equivalent to lower school art in good schools.
LEVEL 2 Certificate in Art and Design (GCSE ART EQV)
14 years or older. Equivalent to GCSE/BTEC in good schools – no exam – no written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time.
SEG Art Online for Special Educational Needs (SEND) Students
Ideal course for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Many local authorities fund this course as it can be studied entirely online from home or a centre. Course fee includes SENDCO support and regular online progress meetings. 13-14 years and over. Equivalent to GCSE/BTEC in good schools – no exam – no written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time.
Online GCSE Art Course
13 /14 years and over. Equivalent to GCSE/BTEC in good schools. Be inspired and explore your creativity!
A-Level Art – Online Course
16 years and over. Up to 56 UCAS POINTS – means this course can count as one of your A levels for university!
Foundation Diploma Art & Design
Depending on your achieved grade, this course can earn you UCAS points equivalent to 2-3 A Levels. Earn up to 112 UCAS points, which means this course can get you to university without other A levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Foundation Diploma Art, Design & Media, specialising in 3-Dimensional Design
This course is a foundation diploma in Art, Design and Media, specialising in 3-Dimensional Design. This includes theatre design, theatre prop design, product design and model making among others. The course can be studied entirely at home or centre. Depending on your achieved grade, this course can earn you UCAS points equivalent to 2-3 A Levels – up to 112 UCAS points, which means this course can get you to university without other A levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Online Foundation Diploma in Fine Art
Equivalent to 2 A Levels in terms of UCAS points – earn up to 112, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! The Fine Art aspect of this course teaches our students to become aware of historical and contemporary practice within the visual arts and we encourage our students to respond to critical thinking and popular culture of our time. We help our students to develop their own creative process and to express themselves through original thought provoking art work.
Online Fine Art Diploma for Special Needs Students
This is a great course for Fine artists with special needs and/or disabilities. Many local authorities fund this course for students with an EHCP. Course fee includes SENDCO support and regular online progress meetings. Equivalent to 2 A Levels in terms of UCAS points – earn up to 112, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels!
Explore Our Design Courses
SEG Design Online
13 /14 years and over. Equivalent to GCSE/BTEC in good schools – no exam – no written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time.
Online Design Course for Special Educational Needs (SEND) Students
This is a great course for designers with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Many local authorities fund this course for students with an EHCP. Course fee includes SENDCO support and regular online progress meetings. Most students are 13 /14 years old but students of any age can study it. Equivalent to GCSE/BTEC in good schools – no exam – no written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time.
Online GCSE Design Course
13 /14 years and over. Equivalent to GCSE/BTEC in good schools. Be inspired and explore your creativity!
A-Level Design – Online Course
16 years and over. Up to 56 UCAS POINTS – means this course can count as one of your A levels for university!
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Online Course
Equivalent to 2 A Levels in terms of UCAS points – earn up to 112, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Foundation Design Diploma for Special Educational Needs (SEND) Students
Great course for designers with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Students study 100% online from their own home and in their own time – one-to-one tutorials instead of timetabled lessons. Course fee includes SENDCO support and regular online progress meetings. Many local authorities fund this course for students on EHCPs. Equivalent to 2 A Levels in terms of UCAS points – earn up to 112, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Online Foundation Diploma in Textile Design
No written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time. Submit a portfolio of evidence to the examination board online to pass/receive the qualification. Earn up to 112 UCAS points, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Foundation Textile Diploma for Special Educational Needs (SEND) Students
Many textile design students with special educational needs and disabilities really benefit from the extra support they receive and the ability to study it entirely online from their own homes or centre. The course is funded by most local authorities when students have an EHCP. Course fee includes SENDCO support and regular online progress meetings. No written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time. Submit a portfolio of evidence to the examination board online to pass/receive the qualification. Earn up to 112 UCAS points, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Online Foundation Diploma in Fashion Design
No written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time. Submit a portfolio of evidence to the examination board online to pass/receive the qualification. Earn up to 112 UCAS points, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Explore Our Photography Courses
Online Foundation Photography Course
No written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time. Submit a portfolio of evidence to the examination board online to pass/receive the qualification. Earn up to 112 UCAS points, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Foundation Photography Diploma for Special Educational Needs (SEND) Students
No written essay – 100% online course you can study in your own time. Submit a portfolio of evidence to the examination board online to pass/receive the qualification. Earn up to 112 UCAS points, which means this course can get you to University without other A Levels! Genuine Get To University Course.
Online NCFE Level 2 Photography Certificate OFQUAL 601/3391/0
13 /14 years and over. Equivalent to GCSE/ BTEC Photography in good schools. Submit a portfolio of evidence to the examination board online to pass/receive the qualification.
Level 3 Photography Diploma – Online Course
16 years and over. Equivalent to A Level Photography in good schools. No exam, No written essay, 100% online course you can study in your own time. Submit a portfolio of evidence to the examination board online to pass/receive the qualification.
Explore Our Music Courses
Online GCSE Music Course
13 /14 years and over. Equivalent to GCSE/BTEC in good schools. The OCR GCSE Music syllabus enables pupils to progress on to A Level Music and/or develop their skills as a performer or composer.
A Level Music – Online Course
16 years and over. up to 56 UCAS POINTS – means this course can count as one of your A Levels for University!
Level 3 Music Technology Diploma
18 years and over – will get you into university to study Music Technology or related course.
RSL Level 2 Certificate For Music Practitioners
Whether you are an aspiring performer, composer, entrepreneur or a combination of all of these – give yourself the opportunity to apply your creativity in a practically-focused setting.
RSL Level 3 Diploma For Music Practitioners
18 years and over – will get you into university to study Music Technology or related course.
Additional Courses
Virtual Arts Department for Schools (Online Course)
Extend your school Curriculum to include fun online GCSE, A Level and BTEC EQV. Art, Design, Photography, Animation, Film, Music. Let us take care of the teaching and the pupils and the school take the results!
How the Online College of Art & Design Works
Students receive access to their own online studio where they can work through their course. Units and assignments are listed along with supporting resources, video tutorials for skills development, step by step guides video recordings of our LIVE interactive lessons etc.
Live interactive weekly online classes are taught by a friendly, expert and qualified teacher who will push students to succeed. This way of working is unique to our online curriculum.
Photographs of students’ completed work and assignment documents are uploaded to their college e-portfolio for assessment and constructive, friendly written feedback on how to progress is offered. Additionally students are invited to discuss, with an experienced and qualified personal tutor, their progress and receive one-to-one verbal feedback and support. Students may also benefit from relationships with their fellow online students as they can view profiles and comment on each others’ art work if they wish.
Our accreditations
