Access to Higher Education: Creative Arts Level 3 Full-time

In Brief

Start Date / Duration

This course starts in September 2025 and you will study for 30 weeks, typically across three days. Exact dates and times to be confirmed.

Entry requirements

You must be aged 19 or over to study an Access course.
Entry to the course is by interview. We take a strong interest in previous experience and would love to see or hear recent written work, computer-based or online materials.
Level 2 English is desirable

You will achieve

Level 3 Access to HE Diploma in Art and Design, awarded by Gateway

Course overview

This Creative Arts course prepares you for university-level study in Art and Design sectors by providing you with the knowledge and requirements to progress to higher education. The course ensures that you have a good understanding of themes relevant to Art and Design, including cultural studies, the design process and visual studies.

You will also complete a research project in an area of interest relevant to the diploma, and you can select additional units from a range of choices.

Course content

The course is made up of various units that will run independently and combined throughout the year. Pathways have been chosen to best suit a wide range of art and design areas for you to undertake and complete.

The units include an introduction to Discovering Art, Design & Cultural Movements, Introduction to the Media and Visual Studies 2D.

These units will support progression onto your desired degree programme and incorporate a range of new skills. Learners will have the opportunity to research an aspect of one of these subjects which interests them.

They are designed with balance which allow you to keep your options open until you have fully decided on your preferred route at degree level. They have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and to allow you to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g., Academic Writing Skills and study skills for the creative arts.

Units shown are currently core subject areas and other specialist units are to be decided:

Cultural Studies – Modern and Contemporary
The Design Process
Visual Studies
Preparation for Higher Education
Visual Research Project

Specialist units may include (tbc):

Colour theory and application
Print making
Graphic design
Typography
Mixed Media
Textile printing and colouring

These units cover a wide range of skills across creative art and design

Core knowledge and understanding is acquired via lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, computer assisted learning, case studies, video, and other multi-media presentations.

You will be taught through lectures, practical sessions, and independent learning. We foster a culture of independent learning and decision making that will develop your problem solving and analytical skills

You will complete project-based assessments which will combine several units to give you an employment-based assessment. The teaching will reflect the project approach and will include aspects of teamworking.

You can progress onto a HND, BA or MA Art and Design course. Others aiming at self-employment can set up their own studios. Some students could use the course to enhance their employment prospects in the creative industries.

See what careers are available in the Art Graphics and Fashion sector. Use our online careers tool, Career Coach, to find out what your next steps could be.

Extra information

This course may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.

For eligibility information and details about how to apply, visit the Advanced Learner Loan page. Or contact our Information Team by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk

If you’re undertaking an Access to Higher Education (HE) course and then go on to complete an HE qualification, the outstanding balance of your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off, once you have fully completed both courses.

For further information please contact our friendly Information Team on +44 (0)1226 216 123 or email info@barnsley.ac.uk

Barnsley College has a range of sports opportunities for all students to take part in, gain professional training and compete nationally and internationally. We also have a state-of-the-art fitness village, Honeywell Sports Village where students can make use of our fitness suite, spinning studio and classes for competitive rates. You don’t have to be studying sport to get involved in the Sports Academy.

Our Additional Learning Support team can provide you with the support you need. Call 01226 216 769 for further information.

Please note we reserve the right to change details without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Art, Fashion and Photography