Year 1
In Year 1 students choose the three subjects they wish to carry forward to the end of Year 2. The first two weeks of the Autumn term are designed to help students familiarise themselves with the choice of subjects before they make a decision.
The subjects will lead to A Levels at the end of Year 2. The options are as follows:
A third subject must also be chosen, which will lead to an A Level qualification at the end of Year 2.
Students who are very weak in English will be exempt from choosing a third subject. Instead, they will follow an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) programme to ensure that they achieve the level of English required for progression to university.
All Year 1 students complete a Personal and Professional Planning (PPP) programme aimed at developing the study skills and habits required for successful undergraduate-level study in Art and Design.
Year 2
In Year 2, students continue with the three subjects that they chose in Year 1 in order to be ready to sit the A Level examinations in May.
It is expected that by the start of Year 2, students can already demonstrate the level of English required for university entry (usually an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components).
As well as preparing for their A Levels, Year 2 students need to work hard at securing a place at university. This involves developing a suitable portfolio of work and a personal statement in preparation for an interview with the university of their choice.
All Year 2 students attend the Creative Practice Programme (CPP) one day a week at Central Saint Martins . This programme is in addition to A Level study.
This programme is available to students who join ISCA directly in Year 2. They already have the academic qualification needed for university but lack the body of art work required to access undergraduate study in the creative arts.
By the end of the year the student will have built up a portfolio of work, suitable in content and presentation to allow them to access a university-level course in an art and design subject. They will also complete an A level in Art, Craft and Design to ensure a secure and broad foundation of art and design skills.
Portfolio students also attend the UAL Creative Practices Programme one day a week at Central Saint Martins. This programme is in addition to the Portfolio + A Level programme and is delivered by CSM tutors.
A Level
The Art, Craft and Design (ACD) A Level forms a foundation of technical and critical skills to provide students with the opportunity to extend their understanding of art and design through two pathways (i.e. two subjects) together. This is a compulsory part of the curriculum for second year portfolio students and forms the basis of core art and design skills to be utilised across subject specialist areas.
The ACD A Level allows students to develop several areas of interest within art and design. The course teaches students fundamental art and design methods, processes and ideologies whilst allowing broader portfolio building for students who are preparing to study joint honours, foundation or more generic degree courses.
Pre A Level (Level 2)
CAP offers students aged 15 a unique opportunity to experience excellent UK art and design teaching. Students are able to develop their understanding of art and design through engagement with the work of artists and designers, materials, processes and techniques. Solid foundation skills are taught across a range of specialist art and design areas and students complete work that can lead to a qualification for the Level 2 Cambridge Technicals.
CAP promotes a creative approach to critical thinking and problem solving in a supportive educational environment. This enhanced programme also incorporates elements of mathematical and scientific thinking within the art and design process. Linguistic skills are also developed through personalised English tuition.
The Programme is designed to prepare students for progression to the A Level Programme. It is specifically for students aged 15 who have a strong interest in the arts and are considering further study in areas such as fine art, fashion textiles, graphic design, 3D design or critical and contextual studies. It can be seen as a first step to an extended course at ISCA.
SEG Awards ABC Level 3
The Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media at ISCA is an online pre-degree programme offering international students the special opportunity to experience an outstanding art and design education in preparation for university study. As such, this Foundation course reflects ISCA’s wealth of experience in preparing creative young people to progress to art and design universities in the UK and overseas.
ISCA’s online Foundation Diploma fast tracks university entry for international students
