Art: Fashion & Textiles T-level

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The Creative Industries has seen significant growth in recent years, which has given rise to the T-Level in Craft & Design. The T-Level is a key stepping stone to an apprenticeship, a career or higher education within a creative field. This two year course will allow students to develop a sound understanding and awareness of running a creative business, alongside theoretical knowledge of how the individual works within organisations of all sizes, whilst gaining a valuable work placement Students will be able to choose to work within an occupational specialism in year 2 which might include fashion/textiles, or ceramics. The creative skills learnt will encourage students to develop their confidence in a wide range of materials, processes and design and making. All of the different elements of the T-Level will be delivered through project based learning with a mixture of hands on making, team work, employability skills and research and presentation opportunities.

What will I study in Art: Fashion & Textiles T-level?

Following a combined programme exploring materials, techniques and processes, students have the option to specialise in one of the Occupational Specialisms (Textiles & Fashion, Jewellery, Ceramics and Furniture Maker). Throughout the 2 Year course they will explore the practicalities of client/customer working models, marketing, budget,and outlets - They will study a range of core knowledge and skills including; The creative economy, the individual in the creative industry, cultural context and vocabulary, audience, legislation & regulations, professionalism and ethics, equality, diversity and inclusion, research skills, project methodology and administration, and continued professional development. The theory work will culminate in a set of exams but will be taught through a series of mini practical projects that will include case studies, employability skills, making projects, working to briefs, site visits & trips and working in teams. There is a strong emphasis and requirement for high quality and meaningful industrial placements. The work placements will need to start as soon as possible in Year 1 and will continue throughout the 2 year course.

Entry Requirements

5+ GCSEs at Grade 4 or above from the core subjects, including English Langauge and Maths.

If an art-based GCSE has not been taken, entry by completion of a portfolio is possible. Please contact Admissions for a portfolio assignment, to be completed and assessed prior to enrolment.

How will I learn?

The T-Level in Craft & Design will involve practical studio-based learning, demonstrations, design work, drawing, research into craft practice, examinations and industrial placement experience. The course content and expectations are thorough and will require an independent, problem solving and creative mindset from students. This course is an excellent stepping stone to employment, apprenticeships, or higher education and is therefore taught using methodology and teaching styles more familiar to university learning. The practical and designing teaching will take place in our well equipped workshops and brand new Art Loft. Highly skilled teachers, lecturers and technicians will support the creative experiences and make sure that a full range of skills, and learning is offered. Core knowledge and skills will be taught alongside practical making workshops. This model of learning will be delivered in harmony with more specific skills undertaken on work placements where independent employer set projects will also be developed.

How will I be assessed?

80% of your T-Level will be spent in college and approximately 20% on industrial placement. Core elements are graded A*-E (similar to A-Levels). The occupational element is graded Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* (similar to BTEC) The core and occupational element are combined into one grade. Grading is based on coursework, 2 exams and other similar assessments.

Assessment will be through summative and formative methods, the core knowledge and skills will be assessed through 2 formal exams in Year 2. The employer set project and other independent work will be assessed against the following:

Undertaking research///analysis, investigation, review, cultural contexts
Generating ideas///expressing ideas, sampling, prototyping, testing, 2D/3D modelling
Communicating ideas///presenting ideas clearly, an appropriate medium for the audience
Developing ideas///planning key stages of development, selecting resources and methods
Working collaboratively with others///group work, critiquing ideas, responding to feedback, roles and responsibilities
Reflective practice///reviewing approaches to the brief identifying areas for future development

Passing this T-Level requires successful completion of work placements.

Any trips?

The expectation is that students on the T-Level in Craft & Design are actively out exploring areas of the creative industries that are relevant, interesting to them and useful. This will include independent visits to art galleries and museums, craft workshops and makers spaces. College organised research trips to trade fairs, manufacturers, retail outlets and other field trips will take place throughout the course.

Are there any costs involved?

There will be an expectation that students pay a 'studio fee' of £60 each year to cover materials and other consumables used throughout the course. There will be occasions where specific materials will need to be purchased on an ad hoc basis and students would be expected to cover the cost of any extra materials. All students will be expected to have a very good range of art materials to work with, and this would include but is not limited to;

An A3 sketchbook
Notebook
Range of drawing pencils
Fineliners
Watercolours
Geometry kit
Compass
Folder/Portfolio
Scalpel
Masking tape
Glue
Spraymount

A laptop or tablet would be extremely useful but isn't a requirement, it will allow independent work and will be vital for work outside of college.

FAQs

How many A-levels is this equivalent to?

It is equivalent to three A-levels

Are there exams?

Yes - there are two core exams

Can I work in the studio outside of lessons?

The studio/workshop will be open for independent work outside of timetabled lessons. Students will need to adhere to safe working policies.

Did you know?

In 2019 Creative Industries contributed £116 billion to the UK economy and grew twice as fast between 2011 and 2019 than the rate of the UK economy as a whole. Between 2019 & 2020 Creative Industries accounted for over 2.2 million jobs. “72% of the creative workforce are highly qualified, i.e. hold a degree/ higher level qualification (Level 4 or higher) or equivalent compared with 45% for the whole economy in 2019” (Source: DCMS 2021)

What is the industrial placement?

The industrial placement is an integral part of your T-Level. You will spend approximately 20% of your time on a work placement, ideally within a sector that is relevant to your chosen occupational specialism. There will be high expectations from the college about your professional standards whilst on placement. These will include, organisation and time keeping, a willingness to listen to instructions and learn, and a positive and hard working attitude. Employers will look for someone who is focused, confident and good at communicating. Where possible, before starting the course, students should start to develop skills and experiences that would be positive additions to a CV.