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Higher National Certificate/Diploma, Level 4 / 5

Art & Design (Arts Practice)

The Higher National Certificate (HNC) and the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Art and Design (Arts Practice) is a two-year programme providing you with a specialist vocational grounding in art, design and media. The programme is split into two one-year programmes. The HNC is a level 4 programme, when this is completed successfully you will have the opportunity to progress onto the HND at level 5.

There will be a strong emphasis on the development of both individual creative practice and an understanding of professional and employment-focused skills. The programme will also provide you with a higher level of contextual awareness of art and design practices, enabling you to progress onto top-up to a full degree.

Our goal is to prepare you for a successful career within the creative arts industry. Building on previous knowledge and skills in art, design and media, the course is

structured to provide opportunities across a broad academic and vocational base, progressively deepening your knowledge and skills. Based on the current specification from the awarding body, you will undertake eight units to complete the first year of the programme and six units to complete the second year.

This full-time programme is run over one year per level with daytime sessions blocked over two days. The course is divided into several units which are designed to give you a broad overview of the subject area. You will also be provided with the opportunity to specialise in a dedicated subject area, with creative industry focus. A range of teaching and learning methods including seminars, lectures, group work, tutorials and e-Learning are used, with a work-related, problem-solving and research-based approach emphasized. You will engage in practical workshops, theoretical studies, group and individual critiques, lectures and both physical and online exhibitions. Residential trips both home and abroad are an important part of the course but are optional. The cost varies and is dependent on current rates for the destination and current restrictions.

The course will focus on three main areas of specialisation: photography (Fine Art and Commercial), graphic communication and fine art. You will undertake general art and design project work and sample all pathways, working to your existing strengths but, at the same time, developing many new skills and competencies.

The HND in Art and Design is designed to help you gain academic and vocational skills. You will learn a wide range of practical vocational skills in art and design such as studio photography including advanced lighting techniques, digital workflow management, colour control and RAW conversion, all using state-of-the-art software and hardware. Graphic communication assignments will concentrate on the advanced use of key industry-standard software and the preparation of artwork for print and screen. Through the graphic communication pathway you can chose to pursue a branding and marketing route or focus on illustration alongside working with typography.

Fine art practice will focus on the need to source opportunities to disseminate art projects to a wider audience and manage the many forms of presentation whether 2D, 3D or time-based in nature. You will also gain a sound knowledge and understanding of the art and design sector while developing research, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities which are essential employability skills for work within this field.

Building on previous knowledge and skills in art and design, the course is structured to provide opportunities across a broad academic and vocational base, progressively deepening students’ knowledge. We also offer different pathways after the first semester in; Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Communication and 3D practices.

Based on the current specification from the awarding body, students will undertake eight units to complete the first year of the programme. These are currently planned as*:

  • HNC Techniques and Practices (Mandatory core)
  • Material Practices (Mandatory core)
  • Individual project - Pearson Set (Mandatory core)
  • Media Practices (Mandatory core)
  • Professional Development (Mandatory core)
  • Contextual Studies (Mandatory core)
  • Communication in Art and Design (Mandatory core Specialist)
  • Darkroom Techniques (Fine Art) (Optional)
  • Printmaking (Fine Art) (Optional)
  • Graphic Design Practices (Graphic Communication) (Optional)
  • Photographic Practices (Photography) (Optional)
  • 3D Practices (3D processes fine art) (Optional)

The second year of the course will then follow on with a further six units. These are currently planned as*:

  • Professional Practice (Mandatory core)
  • Applied Practice Collaborative Project (Pearson set) (Mandatory core)
  • Advanced Art Practice Studies (Mandatory specialist)
  • Conceptual Practice (Fine Art/3D) (Optional)
  • Material Selection and Specification (Fine Art/3D/Graphics) (Optional)
  • Creative Industries Placement (Optional)
  • Branding and Identity (Graphic Communication) (Optional)
  • Advanced Photography (Optional)

*Please note, units may be subject to change from year to year, due to curriculum updating/sector changes/changes in delivery staff specialisms or awarding body requirements.

Assessments for the course may take a variety of forms, from practical tasks, group work and presentations to formal, written assignments and reports.

Academic and practical skills developed through the course focus on workplace and transferable skills to equip students for progression into employment, developed alongside academic skills such as research, problem analysis and critical thinking to support progression to higher level study. You will develop the ability to work independently and on your own initiative.

You will develop career-ready employment skills which will include:

  • Technical and practical confidence in the use of a wide range of professional-level equipment management of the digital workflow (ideas-artwork-production-reproduction)
  • The ability to manage time effectively and to plan to meet your client’s expectations
  • Awareness of budgets, production costs and charging for time
  • The ability to communicate your ideas to others and present compelling concepts appropriately
  • The capacity to work safely and responsibly throughout the creative process when dealing with clients and other stakeholders

On successful completion of the HND, you will have the opportunity to progress to a top-up course to gain a full BA (Hons) degree at university. Other students may progress to employment, set up their own enterprise or continue to study a teaching qualification.

The course aims to equip students with the skills required to embark upon a variety of employment opportunities in the creative industries:

  • Graphic Design
  • Commercial Photography
  • Illustration
  • Animation
  • Lens-based Media Production
  • Marketing
  • Fine Art
  • Further Education Teaching

Students might also use the course to set up in business for themselves, exhibiting and selling their art products or using their design skills and photographic talents to work freelance.

This is a nationally recognised qualification offering career and professional development for those entering, or already established in, the art and design field, as well as opening up progression opportunities for successful students to further their academic study to degree level. The course is aimed at those who have completed a Level 3 course, or equivalent, in Art and Design or a related subject, or who have relevant industry experience and are looking to progress to a practical Higher Education qualification. This programme will appeal to those who wish to complete their studies in an inclusive setting which is accessible and can provide a highly supportive teaching and learning environment.

64 UCAS tariff points (NEW UCAS TARIFF) from either:

  • A Levels (including Art and Design or another relevant subject)
  • UAL level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design
  • BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design
  • Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design)

The following are also required:

  • A grade C or above in GCSE English
  • Two satisfactory references

A grade C or above in GCSE Maths is also desirable.

Applications from mature students with relevant professional/life experience are welcome. You might be required to provide further evidence to decide on your suitability for the course and an admissions test may be used in certain circumstances.

The College has a wide range of equipment/facilities for art and design including:

  • access to your own studio space
  • industry-standard, Apple Mac-based computer facilities and the full range of relevant software
  • fully-equipped digital photography studio with lighting rig and Profoto studio equipment
  • access to high-end, professional-level digital cameras including Phase One medium format
  • traditional darkroom for film/print processing
  • printmaking workshop supporting photo silk-screen and relief processes

We do ask that you obtain your own DSLR camera to use in all general-purpose research and recording situations (we are happy to provide advice on what to buy). We would also recommend sourcing computer equipment, to enable you to work independently.

A wide range of general art and design materials are provided but you may be expected to source and purchase any particularly specialist materials yourselves.

There could be additional costs associated with certain elements of this programme such as optional residential trips, visits and specialist equipment.

Selby College has a dedicated HE room, extensive IT facilities and a well-stocked Learning Resource Centre with relevant texts, journals and e-resources which can be accessed on site and remotely.

Meet the students

Hear what our students have to say about their time at Selby College.

Hannah Knight

Hannah Knight

Higher National Diploma Art and Design

Meet Hannah
Raf promo3

Rafael Carvalho

Higher National Diploma Art & Design

Meet Rafael

Related courses

Art & Design

UAL Applied General Diploma / Extended Diploma, Level 3

Art & Design (Photography and Art)

A Level, Level 3

Where can it lead?

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College news

HND Art Design Exhibition

14th January 2021

Art & Design students take exhibition online
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17th December 2020

Student awarded Image of the Week by BIPP
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26th June 2020

Art & Design students host virtual exhibition
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