Art & Design UAL Applied General Diploma Level 3
September 2025 start

This programme has been designed to maximise your career prospects and widen your options for further or higher study.

Many students will have identified a specific career in the creative industries that they wish to progress to such as Fine Artist, graphic designer, or architect. This qualification is an excellent starting point. You will have the opportunity to explore materials, methods and processes that support art and design activities, as well as developing technical skills in the area of Fine Art.

Engaging with employers is also an integral part of this programme – we’ll seek to ensure that you have opportunities to gain real-world experience of your chosen sector.

Topics on your Study Programme will include:

• Different perspectives & approaches
• Understanding & adapting practical methods and skills for creative production
• Critically reviewing the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions & results
• Using evaluative & reflective skills
• Research, planning, time management and actions to access progression opportunities
• Presenting yourself and your work to appropriate audiences

This course offers a pathway exploring art and design, with drawing, mixed media, printmaking, painting and three-dimensional design.

Elements of study
Your programme consists of the following elements:
• Study of your chosen vocational subject - 50% of your programme
• Employability skills, such as punctuality, attendance, communication and team work
• Work experience or an Industry Placement, giving you a taste of working life
• Tutorial and personal development, such as healthy living, volunteering and citizenship skills

• GCSE English at grade 4 (or above) or GCSE Maths at grade 4 (or above)
• Completion of Level 2

You will be assessed by practical activities and investigations, your portfolio of evidence and a final project at the end of the course.

After you have completed the programme, you could progress onto a Higher Education course at College or university or explore the possibility of doing a Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4). Check out opportunities at the University of Bolton by visiting www.bolton.ac.uk.
Following further study you could work as a:
• Arts Therapist, earning up to £44,000 per year
• Advertising Art Director, earning up to £100,000 per year
• An Art Gallery Curator, earning up to £40,000 per year

Sitting a job interview, writing a personal statement, applying for university - taking part in our enrichment programme will give you a CV to wow in all of these situations! You’ll benefit from departmental and cross-college enrichment with:

• Inspiring trips and experiences
• Meetings with industry experts
• Visits to leading companies in your sector

As well as giving you essential professional and technical skills, you’ll demonstrate that you’re a successful and well-rounded person, helping you to make a lasting impression.

We want you to have fun, so we also have plenty of leisure and sporting activities for you to enjoy, improving your health and wellbeing

You'll have your own Learning Development Mentor (LDM) and Work Placement Officer, helping you create both academic and career plans.

Thanks to our partnership with the University of Bolton, you'll also benefit from everything the University has to offer, with a range of opportunities to build additional skills and experiences, giving you everything you need to become a FUTURE SUCCESS in whichever field you choose!

Exposure to employers is also an integral part of this programme – we'll seek to ensure that you have opportunities to gain real-word experience of your sector, either on short work experience or an extended Industry placement.

We’re an elite College, and part of the University of Bolton Group, offering you a gateway to all of Greater Manchester’s vast range of fantastic opportunities for specialist careers, university degree courses and higher Apprenticeships.

We’ll reward your achievements with trips to The Anderton Outdoor Activity Centre and the opportunity to apply for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Our £75 million campus offers a refurbished fitness suite and sports hall; Apple Mac suites; libraries, a lecture theatre; hair and beauty salon; and a restaurant, café and canteen.

You’ll also enjoy a wide range of events, including showcases, enterprise activities and cultural celebrations.

You may qualify for a college bursary or financial support from Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust (LTCT), access more information here: LTCT Financial Support

Click the yellow ‘Apply’ button on this page.

You’ll be asked to set up a Learner Hub account so that you can track your application and enrol online. You’ll also be asked to book your interview for your course at the same time.

If you have any difficulties setting up your Learner Hub account, please email learner.hub@boltoncc.ac.uk

Open Events are the best way to discover what life as a Bolton College student is like, giving you an insight into College life.

Open Events at our Deane Road Campus are as follows:

• Tuesday 17th October 2023, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 12th December 2024, 5pm-8pm
• Wednesday 12th February 2025, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 20th March 2025, 5pm-8pm
• Wednesday 30th April 2025, 5pm-8pm
• Thursday 19th June 2025, 5pm-8pm

If you’d like to attend one of these events, register here

Although every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, there may be changes to this programme and provision. We will endeavour to keep prospective and current students updated where appropriate and when the information becomes available.