AS and A Level Art and Design (Fine Art)
Sixth Form Art and Photography Trip to Venice 2 - 5 March 2012
The main purpose of any course in art, craft and design is to develop your ability to appreciate the visual world, respond in a personal and creative way and perhaps even contribute for the benefit of everyone.
The skills you will develop will be varied. Among them, you will develop a working knowledge of materials, practices and technology within art. You will develop the skills to interpret and convey your ideas and feelings using art, craft and design. You will develop your imaginative and creative powers and your experimental, analytical and documenting skills. You will also develop a specialist vocabulary and the knowledge and understanding of the place of art, craft and design in history and in contemporary society.
The A level is designed to enable you to investigate personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures in practical ways.
Specification: AQA Art and Design (Fine Art) AS 1202B A 2202B
Click here to download the current specification for this A level course.
The A level is made up of four units:
At AS level
Unit 1: AS Portfolio Unit
You will explore the expressive force of art and design. There is an emphasis on the process of art making and you will submit one or two extended projects. Additional work will be aimed at developing particular technical skills or knowledge of the work of other artists, designers, crafts people or photographers. There will also be increased opportunities for experimentation, the development of skills and critical and contextual awareness.
Assessment
50% of AS, 25% of A Level - No time limit - 80 marks - Portfolio of work set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA - Available in June only
Unit 2: AS Externally Set Assignment
This work takes place from the beginning of February until May. You will be given 5 broad starting points and can produce finished work or work of an experimental nature. During this period of time you will be given 5 hours of supervised time which follows an initial period of research.
Assessment
50% of AS, 25% of A Level - Supervised time 5 hours - 80 marks - Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA - Available in June only
At A2 level
Unit 3: A2 Personal Investigation
This will include written work alongside practical elements. The written materials should be between 1000 – 3000 words, but the written materials can take on a variety of creative forms.
Assessment
25% of A Level - No time limit - 80 marks - Personal investigation supported by written element of 1000-3000 words, set and marked by the centre and moderated by AQA - Available in June only
Unit 4: A2 Externally-set Assignment
You will be able to select from 8 starting points. Suggestions of artists, designers and relevant craftspeople will be included on the exam paper to help and guide you in every question. The exam lasts for 15 hours and is usually spread over 3 school days. This extended amount of time will allow you the opportunity to produce work in greater depth.
Assessment
25% of A Level - Supervised time 15 hours - 80 marks - Work produced will be marked by the centre and moderated by AQA - Available in June only
