The AS and A2 Art and Design syllabus is a natural progression from GCSE and clearly helps to meet the needs of those boys who are intending to undertake further studies in Art and Design. It is also beneficial to those who wish to take up careers for which an Art and Design background is relevant. Finally it allows those boys, who may have a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the subject, who are not necessarily intending to study the subject beyond sixth form to realise their full potential in this area.

While undertaking the courses on offer, students will have an opportunity to express ideas using a variety of media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, print-making, digital film and photography, in short, any way that seems right for the chosen subject theme – which could be highly observed, fully abstracted or somewhere between the two.

AS
The AS comprises two units of assessment. It may be taken as a one year free standing qualification, or it may be undertaken as the first half of a full A level qualification.
The two units of assessment are:

• Development of a coursework portfolio exemplifying work carried out during the AS course.
  
  
• An externally-set assignment, containing five starting points. Candidates choose one.

A2
The Advanced level comprises a further two units of assessment, with candidates producing an ‘independent study’ based on a particular artist, movement or technique relevant to the student’s own work.
The three units of assessment are:

• Personal Study
• Controlled Test

Requirements
It is hoped that candidates for the two courses will have studied Art and Design at GCSE level though this is not a prerequisite. While both courses are intended to meet the needs of candidates who will undertake further studies in Art and Design, they are also relevant for those who pursue careers for which a background in Art and Design is an asset.

After A level
There is a vast number of Higher Education courses available in the Arts. These courses cover a wide range of future career possibilities including architecture, advertising, product design, fashion and textile design, multi media, photography, ceramics, printmaking, museum and gallery work, teaching and many others. British Art Colleges have gained a reputation for being at the forefront of Art Education in Europe and the quality of their facilities and tuition is, in many cases, excellent. Students wishing to gain entry to these courses usually undertake a ‘Foundation Course’ at Art College of one year’s duration. This normally leads on to a full honours degree.