A-level Fine Art offers opportunities to use your creativity to express yourself and record the world in which you live.
You will develop your understanding of creative processes, your ability to observe and think, to solve problems and communicate in a visual, verbal, and written way. It will enable you to work independently and to make your own discoveries by exploring ideas, other artists’ work and different materials and techniques.
The specification studied is the OCR Art & Design (Fine Art). It may be taken alongside Photography, and Graphic Communication or Textile Design.
A Level: Fine Art Entry requirements 2026 intake:
- You need Grade 4 or above in GCSE Art & Design.
- If you have a Grade 4, you must also bring a small portfolio to enrolment so we can check you are ready for the course.
Portfolio checklist:
You must bring 5 images showing your strongest work. Choose one of the following:
- Your best work from the last year
- Work from your GCSE Art & Design course
- Your 5 best images from the summer task
These images should show creativity, skill, and how you explore ideas. Your portfolio can be digital or physical.
What You Could Include: Fine Art examples:
- Observational drawings
- Paintings (any media)
- Printmaking
- Experimental or abstract work
- Sketchbook pages showing ideas and development
If you forget to bring a portfolio, you will need to complete a 45‑minute creative task during enrolment to secure your place on the course.
Course content
The A-level is divided into two units.
Unit One
Personal Investigation
60% of A-level
Unit Two
Externally Set Task
40% of A-level
In the first year you will focus on learning and developing the skills required for the subject through a series of projects. You will have time and opportunities to explore the given themes through experimentation and exploration with a wide range of techniques and processes. You will then apply these skills in an increasingly independent way.
In the second year you will complete two units of work (as outlined above). You will choose your own areas of study with advice and guidance from the Fine Art staff. You will explore your theme, idea or issue fully and are encouraged to be experimental, innovative and enquiring in your approach. In addition, you are required to produce a related written study of 1,000 – 3,000 words.
The A-level is divided into two units.
|
Unit One |
Personal Investigation |
60% of A-level |
|
Unit Two |
Externally Set Task |
40% of A-level |
In the first year you will focus on learning and developing the skills required for the subject through a series of projects. You will have time and opportunities to explore the given themes through experimentation and exploration with a wide range of techniques and processes. You will then apply these skills in an increasingly independent way.
In the second year you will complete two units of work (as outlined above). You will choose your own areas of study with advice and guidance from the Fine Art staff. You will explore your theme, idea or issue fully and are encouraged to be experimental, innovative and enquiring in your approach. In addition, you are required to produce a related written study of 1,000 – 3,000 words.
Enrichment
Trips and visiting speakers are organised throughout the year in order to inspire students and give them a broader understanding of Fine Art. These will come at a variable cost but we will always keep costs down wherever we can.
Trips and visiting speakers are organised throughout the year in order to inspire students and give them a broader understanding of Fine Art. These will come at a variable cost but we will always keep costs down wherever we can.
Charges
A studio kit fee is required for this course and cost approximately £120.
Students are expected to have funds to cover additional equipment and printing costs as directed by their individual project requirements. The cost of all trips will be the responsibility of the student.
Financial assistance is available if required.
A studio kit fee is required for this course and cost approximately £120.
Students are expected to have funds to cover additional equipment and printing costs as directed by their individual project requirements. The cost of all trips will be the responsibility of the student.
Financial assistance is available if required.
Methods of teaching, learning and assessment
You are given a thorough grounding in core skills through experimentation in a wide variety of media. Students are supported through 1:1 tutorials, group critiques and peer group assessments. In year 2 you have focused studio time to explore your ideas, plan and create final outcomes. You are continually supported in making creative decisions through continual reflection and critical analysis. Opportunities to present & curate your artworks within an end of year public Creative Art exhibition are one of the highlights of Year 2.
Students are expected to progress with studio work by completing a minimum of 4.5 hours of independent study outside of lessons each week.
Methods of Assessment
All units will be marked internally by the Creative Arts team and will be moderated by the exam board
You are given a thorough grounding in core skills through experimentation in a wide variety of media. Students are supported through 1:1 tutorials, group critiques and peer group assessments. In year 2 you have focused studio time to explore your ideas, plan and create final outcomes. You are continually supported in making creative decisions through continual reflection and critical analysis. Opportunities to present & curate your artworks within an end of year public Creative Art exhibition are one of the highlights of Year 2.
Students are expected to progress with studio work by completing a minimum of 4.5 hours of independent study outside of lessons each week.
Methods of Assessment
All units will be marked internally by the Creative Arts team and will be moderated by the exam board
Resources
The open plan Fine Art studios are well equipped with printing facilities for screen and relief printing, clusters of computers with Adobe creative suite and a range of colour laser and inkjet printers.
Large wall space and display boards offer opportunities for students to work on a large scale and display their work. Collaborative work with other creative art subjects offers further access to specialist equipment.
The open plan Fine Art studios are well equipped with printing facilities for screen and relief printing, clusters of computers with Adobe creative suite and a range of colour laser and inkjet printers.
Large wall space and display boards offer opportunities for students to work on a large scale and display their work. Collaborative work with other creative art subjects offers further access to specialist equipment.
Progression
The A-level in Fine Art provides a sound basis for students who wish to proceed to a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or to BA (Hons) at universities, as well as being a useful background to a career within the creative arts industry.
The A-level in Fine Art provides a sound basis for students who wish to proceed to a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or to BA (Hons) at universities, as well as being a useful background to a career within the creative arts industry.
Where can this course lead?
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