Study
Study
Search our courses or browse by subject or career pathway.

You can also download our prospectuses and brochures here.
Our colleges
Our colleges
Expand your learning horizons at our welcoming campuses - with dedicated learning spaces, industry standard facilities and experienced teachers to support you all the way.
Student life
Student life
Find out what it's like to study at an Activate Learning college and what makes us unique.
Supporting you
Supporting you
Discover how far you can go with our support.
About Us
About Us
Activate Learning is a forward-thinking education group working across further and higher education, schools, apprenticeships and training. We transform lives through learning.

Art and design

Take your creative skills to the next level - explore our programmes in art and design.

Study art and design and prepare for a career in this exciting, creative industry.

Make the most of the opportunity to build a top-class portfolio in our inspiring workshops, supported by our specialist, industry-experienced teachers. We will help you develop your creative skills in: art and design, photography, fashion or graphics.

The creative industries sector is growing, with nearly 2 million people in the UK currently working in it. Around a third of them are freelancers or self-employed. In the last two years, the industry has grown by an extra 90,000 jobs.

Subjects available

Choose an art and design pathway and develop your creativity through our multi-disciplinary approach:

Art and design - Develop introductory art and design skills and learn 2D and 3D processes using art, design and craft media. You will be encouraged to develop your own personal style as your confidence grows.

See full-time Art and Design Courses see part-time art and design courses see part-time drawing and painting courses See part-time printmaking courses

Qualifications

Our art and design qualifications are awarded and certified by University of the Arts London (UAL). This means you will have the opportunity to have your work shortlisted for the annual UAL awarding body exhibition at Chelsea College of Art.

We offer a range of qualifications, from Level 1 diploma (equivalent to GCSEs grades D-F or 3-1) to university level.

Facilities

You will learn in our amazing facilities, featuring specialist workshops with equipment that mirrors that available in the workplace. You will develop your skills in 2D and 3D processes, using a variety of art, design and craft media, making your design drawings come to life in our specialist workshops and with industry standard equipment.

Student success

Our art and design students have gone on to have successful careers in this industry, working for existing organisations or launching their own business. Rosie Dennington completed the Extended Diploma in Fashion, before achieving a first class honours degree in fashion and costume at Birmingham City University. Rosie is now a fashion designer at Rosie Red Corsetry and Couture. Her designs were modelled by the actor Helena Bonham-Carter in Vanity Fair magazine.

Meanwhile, Jasmine Gilhooly, who completed the BTEC National Diploma in Art and Design at Banbury and Bicester College, launched her own cokmpany, D'Cruz, designing an eclectic range of bespoke handmade leather handbags.

Industry partnerships

We work closely with organisations to provide industry standard teaching, learning and progression opportunities for our students, including: Arts at the Old Fire Station, Reading Rep, William Hands, The Furniture Makers, Benchmark and Ercol.

You will have the opportunity to develop your employability skills by taking part in exhibitions, festivals and events, organising community workshops and pop-up shops. You will also gain new skills by taking part in competitions, attending masterclasses and career talks, and responding to live briefs set by employers.