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Art and Design

UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice: Art Design & Communication

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Overview

The UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design, and Communication is a qualification for post-16 students looking to pursue a specialist career in the creative industries.

This course is the equivalent of three A-Levels and gives students an in-depth introduction to the creative industries, along with a broad foundation of related knowledge, skills, and attributes associated to the creative process.

How you’ll learn

This course includes an introduction to a range of skills within Fine Art, 3D Design, Fashion, Textiles, Illustration, Graphics and Animation. Students have the opportunity to specialise in a chosen subject.

Entry and progression

What you need and where it leads

  1. Entry requirements
  2. This course Level 3
  3. Further study

5 GCSE’s graded 4 and above including Maths, English and a Creative Subject, or, a Level 2 Diploma in a relevant Subject.

Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Careers it can lead to

  • Design Occupations £32,400 a year
  • Artists £35,100 a year
  • Glass and Ceramics Makers, Decorators and Finishers £27,100 a year
  • Arts Officers, Producers and Directors £36,200 a year
See all 10 careers
  • Furniture Makers and Other Craft Woodworkers £35,000 a year
  • Photographers, Audio-visual and Broadcasting Equipment Operators £27,800 a year
  • Authors, Writers and Translators £29,900 a year
  • Footwear and Leather Working Trades £25,300 a year

With further study or experience

  • Managers and Directors in the Creative Industries £50,800 a year
  • Graphic and Multimedia Designers £26,400 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Your UCAS points

UAL Level 3 Diploma

Grade UCAS points
D Distinction 84
M Merit 60
P Pass 36

UCAS points are an estimate. Each university course sets its own entry requirements, and points can change from year to year. Please enquire for full details about a specific course. Points from the UCAS Tariff tables for 2027 entry. About UCAS Tariff points

Emily

Emily

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design

Student Voice

“

My tutors and peers were so welcoming, and I settled in immediately. I absolutely loved my time at the college. I loved having the freedom to create, and to explore different mediums and ideas within the safe space that the tutors created.

For parents and carers

Supporting your child’s journey

A Friendly, Welcoming Place

Students are often surprised by how friendly and welcoming college is. It's a supportive community where they'll build genuine friendships and feel part of something.

About student life

Learning Support

If your child has additional learning needs, our support team works with them from day one. Adjustments are put in place early so they can get the most out of their course.

About learning support

GCSE Support Built In

If your child needs to resit GCSE English or Maths, it's built into the timetable, not bolted on as an extra. They'll get structured support alongside their main course.

Learn more

Qualifications That Count

These are nationally recognised qualifications with real academic weight. Your child will develop practical skills and knowledge that employers and universities genuinely value.

Your next step

Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.

Ready to apply?

Applications for September 2027 are open. Apply online in 10 minutes.

Want to visit first?

FE Open Event – 19th January 202719th January 4:30pm to 7:00pm

What happens after you apply

1

You apply

Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.

2

You meet your tutor

We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.

3

You get an offer

We’ll email you a conditional or unconditional offer.

4

You get ready to start

Come to a taster session in the summer, then enrol in August, bringing your results.

Read our full guide to applying