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Graphic & Digital Design

Level 3

Explore typography, hand rendered and digital illustration, web design and layouts, designing for adverts and promotional materials.

Apply Now

graphic & digital design

Level 3

Explore typography, hand rendered and digital illustration, web design and layouts, designing for adverts and promotional materials.

Apply now
Overview
Key Statistics
Modules
Careers
Additional Info
Related Reading
How to apply
Course Overview
Key Statistics
Course Modules
Careers & Progression
Additional Information
Related Reading
How to apply

Explore typography, hand rendered and digital illustration, web design and layouts, designing for adverts and promotional materials.

THIS COURSE IS AVAILABLE AT:

Birmingham
Bristol
London
Manchester
Norwich

KEY INFORMATION:

Entry Requirements

4 GCSEs at 4-9 (C-A*) including English

Course Length

Two years

Qualification

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design

Explore typography, hand rendered and digital illustration, web design and layouts, designing for adverts and promotional materials.

AVAILABLE IN:

Birmingham
Bristol
London
Manchester
Norwich

key information:

Entry Requirements

GCSEs at grades 4-9 (C-A*), including English and maths

Course Length

Two Years

Qualification

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design

course overview

Our Level 3 Graphic Design and Photography course provides you with the skills to communicate visually through both traditional and digital mediums. You’ll cover design fundamentals, motion graphics, photography techniques, and post-processing, while learning to create engaging visuals for diverse purposes. As you develop your portfolio and personal brand, you’ll focus on refining your craft and preparing for career opportunities in freelancing, higher education, or apprenticeships. 

  • Graphic Design & Digital Art Skills: Develop a deep understanding of visual communication, mastering both traditional and digital art forms, including design, illustration, and motion graphics.
  • Photography Techniques: Gain hands-on experience in photography, from camera operations and composition to lighting and post-processing, allowing you to create impactful visual content.
  • Industry Tools & Software: Learn to work with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite and drawing tablets, equipping you with the technical skills needed for professional design work.
  • Professional Development: Build your personal brand, develop a portfolio, and create promotional materials, including CVs and websites, to present your unique style to future employers or clients.
  • Career Guidance: Receive tailored support in navigating career options, including freelancing, apprenticeships, or higher education opportunities, ensuring you’re ready to pursue your chosen path in the creative industry.

In our Media and Games Labs, you’ll have access to high-performance PC workstations equipped with RTX graphic cards, allowing you to explore your creativity with industry-standard software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, Maya, and 3DS Max. Our Media Labs feature professional Apple Mac desktops loaded with the full Adobe Creative Suite, providing the perfect environment to develop your skills and produce professional quality digital projects. These tools and resources will support your artistic growth and ensure you create work of the highest industry standards.

In college, you’ll also have access to:

  • Apple iMacs.
  • an Adobe Creative Cloud licence with access to all applications (except Substance).
  • Drawing tablets.
  • Studio spaces including green screen.
  • Audio recording equipment.
  • LED lighting.
  • DXLRs.
  • Gimbals & scorpion grips.
  • Tripods.
  • Specialist lenses.

 

Also benefit from: 

  • An online learning programme in your first year, to support and enhance your studies.
  • A national network of like-minded students and teachers studying your course in our campuses around the UK.
  • A guest speaker programme with access to industry practitioners.

During your course, you will have access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you can:

  • View your course information.
  • Set and review targets to help you develop practically and academically.
  • Review notes from your 1-2-1 sessions with your course leader.
  • Access resources for your lessons, to help you understand and complete projects and assignments.
  • View your timetable and check your attendance.
  • Submit your work and receive your grades.

course overview

Our Level 3 Graphic Design and Photography course provides you with the skills to communicate visually through both traditional and digital mediums. You’ll cover design fundamentals, motion graphics, photography techniques, and post-processing, while learning to create engaging visuals for diverse purposes. As you develop your portfolio and personal brand, you’ll focus on refining your craft and preparing for career opportunities in freelancing, higher education, or apprenticeships. 

  • Graphic Design & Digital Art Skills: Develop a deep understanding of visual communication, mastering both traditional and digital art forms, including design, illustration, and motion graphics.
  • Photography Techniques: Gain hands-on experience in photography, from camera operations and composition to lighting and post-processing, allowing you to create impactful visual content.
  • Industry Tools & Software: Learn to work with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite and drawing tablets, equipping you with the technical skills needed for professional design work.
  • Professional Development: Build your personal brand, develop a portfolio, and create promotional materials, including CVs and websites, to present your unique style to future employers or clients.
  • Career Guidance: Receive tailored support in navigating career options, including freelancing, apprenticeships, or higher education opportunities, ensuring you’re ready to pursue your chosen path in the creative industry.

In our Media and Games Labs, you’ll have access to high-performance PC workstations equipped with RTX graphic cards, allowing you to explore your creativity with industry-standard software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, Maya, and 3DS Max. Our Media Labs feature professional Apple Mac desktops loaded with the full Adobe Creative Suite, providing the perfect environment to develop your skills and produce professional quality digital projects. These tools and resources will support your artistic growth and ensure you create work of the highest industry standards.

In college, you’ll also have access to:

  • Apple iMacs.
  • an Adobe Creative Cloud licence with access to all applications (except Substance).
  • Drawing tablets.
  • Studio spaces including green screen.
  • Audio recording equipment.
  • LED lighting.
  • DXLRs.
  • Gimbals & scorpion grips.
  • Tripods.
  • Specialist lenses.

 

Also benefit from: 

  • An online learning programme in your first year, to support and enhance your studies.
  • A national network of like-minded students and teachers studying your course in our campuses around the UK.
  • A guest speaker programme with access to industry practitioners.

During your course, you will have access to a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you can:

  • View your course information.
  • Set and review targets to help you develop practically and academically.
  • Review notes from your 1-2-1 sessions with your course leader.
  • Access resources for your lessons, to help you understand and complete projects and assignments.
  • View your timetable and check your attendance.
  • Submit your work and receive your grades.

Ready to apply?

Applying to study with us takes less than two minutes, and we have interviewers ready and waiting to speak to you.

Find out more about the application journey and apply now below.

Application Journey
apply now

READY TO APPLY?

Applying to study with us takes less than two minutes, and we have interviewers ready and waiting to speak to you. Find out more about the application journey and apply now below.

application journey
apply now

LEARNER ACHIEVEMENT

90% of our learners achieve their full qualification.

93% of our learners have a positive destination.

5 out of 8 of our learners go onto university or other Higher Education.

learner achievement

90% of our learners achieve their full qualification.

93% of our learners have a positive destination.

5 out of 8 of our learners go onto university or other Higher Education.

COURSE MODULES

  • Inform Ideas in response to a Creative Brief
  • Apply Technical Practice in response to a Creative Industry Brief
  • Apply Problem Solving Skills in response to a Creative Brief
  • Demonstrate Professional Skills and Behaviours in response to a Creative Brief
  • Apply Communication Skills in response to a Creative Brief
  • Explore and Develop Creative Technical Skills

COURSE MODULES

  • Inform Ideas in response to a Creative Brief
  • Apply Technical Practice in response to a Creative Industry Brief
  • Apply Problem Solving Skills in response to a Creative Brief
  • Demonstrate Professional Skills and Behaviours in response to a Creative Brief
  • Apply Communication Skills in response to a Creative Brief
  • Explore and Develop Creative Technical Skills

Careers Within Graphic and Digital Design

With all the transferable skills you’ll learn on this course, the world really is your oyster. 

You can head off to University, study a Level 4/5 course or go straight into the world of work.

Graphic Designer at work

Graphic Designer

Creates visual content for branding, advertising, and communication purposes. Works on logos, brochures, posters, packaging, and more.

Data IO Technician at work

Web Designer

Specialises in designing layouts, visuals, and interactive elements for websites.

Web Developer at work

User Experience (UX) Designer

Designs user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for websites, apps, and software. Focuses on usability, functionality, and visual appeal.

3D Modeller at work

Motion Graphic Designer

Creates animated graphics for videos, advertisements, films, and social media.

Digital Marketing Designer at work

Digital Marketing Designer

Develops comprehensive branding systems, including logos, colour schemes, typography, and brand guidelines. Works closely with businesses to establish a unique visual identity.

Concept Artist at work

Social Media Designer

Specialises in designing content for social media, including posts, stories, banners, and ads. Ensures designs align with brand aesthetics and optimise user engagement.

Careers Within Graphic and Digital Design

With all the transferable skills you’ll learn on this course, the world really is your oyster. 

You can head off to University, study a Level 4/5 course or go straight into the world of work.

Graphic Designer at work

Graphic Designer

Creates visual content for branding, advertising, and communication purposes. Works on logos, brochures, posters, packaging, and more.

Data IO Technician at work

Web Designer

Specialises in designing layouts, visuals, and interactive elements for websites.

Web Developer at work

User Experience (UX) Designer

Designs user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for websites, apps, and software. Focuses on usability, functionality, and visual appeal.

3D Modeller at work

Motion Graphic Designer

Creates animated graphics for videos, advertisements, films, and social media.

Digital Marketing Designer at work

Digital Marketing Designer

Develops comprehensive branding systems, including logos, colour schemes, typography, and brand guidelines. Works closely with businesses to establish a unique visual identity.

Concept Artist at work

Social Media Designer

Specialises in designing content for social media, including posts, stories, banners, and ads. Ensures designs align with brand aesthetics and optimise user engagement.

additional information

  • We are a creative college, creating a specialist, creative ecosystem. This is enhanced by teachers, support staff and managers with creative backgrounds and experience.
  • There are opportunities for collaboration across creative disciplines.
  • We have developed in house careers and online learning programmes to support, enhance and harness students’ creative skills and abilities.
  • We cover a range of disciplines and outputs whilst still allowing students to determine and develop their own creative outputs.

Learning Structure:

  • Practical sessions in specialist spaces combined with contextual classroom studies.
  • Opportunities to collaborate with peers from different pathways during shared lessons.

 

Weekly Schedule

Year 1:

  • 13 hours of in-person lessons each week, covering core topics and employability skills.
  • 56 hours of self-directed study across the year (approximately 1.5 hours per week).
  • 64 hours of enrichment activities throughout the year, focusing on creative projects and industry insight.
  • 4 hours of Maths and/or English weekly for students with a grade 3 or below.

 

Year 2:

  • 12 hours of in-person lessons each week.
  • 111 hours of self-directed study across the year (approximately 3 hours per week).
  • 48 hours of enrichment activities throughout the year.

 

Professional Development: 

  • Weekly sessions to develop employability skills specific to your chosen discipline.

 

Attendance and Independent Work:

  • 100% attendance is mandatory for all lessons and timetabled activities.

 

Students are expected to work independently outside timetabled lessons to:

  • Apply what they learn.
  • Complete assignments.

 

Progress Reviews and Reporting:

  • At least three one-to-one reviews per year.
  • A formal learner report accessible to parents/carers via the online portal.

 

Enrichment Opportunities:

  • Creative projects, guest lectures, and events.
  • An online learning programme to support studies outside college hours.

4 GCSEs at 4-9 (C-A*) including English.

This internally assessed course is delivered and evaluated by teachers through planned projects. These combine practical tasks, like Adobe software development, colour theory, composition techniques, motion graphics, and photography skills, as well as written reports, and presentations, involving both individual and group work. 

Our bespoke professional development programme aims to empower you to take your next steps into your future career. We achieve this by providing you with a three phase programme of lessons, projects and experiences designed to give you as much exposure to industry as possible.

Those who need to retake maths and/or English due to achieving a grade 3 or below will undertake 4 hours of maths and/or 3 hours of English a week. Learn more here.

All campuses 16-18*

FREE

All campuses 19+ (FIRST YEARS ONLY)

£2,882

additional information

  • We are a creative college, creating a specialist, creative ecosystem. This is enhanced by teachers, support staff and managers with creative backgrounds and experience.
  • There are opportunities for collaboration across creative disciplines.
  • We have developed in house careers and online learning programmes to support, enhance and harness students’ creative skills and abilities.
  • We cover a range of disciplines and outputs whilst still allowing students to determine and develop their own creative outputs.

Learning Structure:

  • Practical sessions in specialist spaces combined with contextual classroom studies.
  • Opportunities to collaborate with peers from different pathways during shared lessons.

 

Weekly Schedule

Year 1:

  • 13 hours of in-person lessons each week, covering core topics and employability skills.
  • 56 hours of self-directed study across the year (approximately 1.5 hours per week).
  • 64 hours of enrichment activities throughout the year, focusing on creative projects and industry insight.
  • 4 hours of Maths and/or English weekly for students with a grade 3 or below.

 

Year 2:

  • 12 hours of in-person lessons each week.
  • 111 hours of self-directed study across the year (approximately 3 hours per week).
  • 48 hours of enrichment activities throughout the year.

 

Professional Development: 

  • Weekly sessions to develop employability skills specific to your chosen discipline.

 

Attendance and Independent Work:

  • 100% attendance is mandatory for all lessons and timetabled activities.

 

Students are expected to work independently outside timetabled lessons to:

  • Apply what they learn.
  • Complete assignments.

 

Progress Reviews and Reporting:

  • At least three one-to-one reviews per year.
  • A formal learner report accessible to parents/carers via the online portal.

 

Enrichment Opportunities:

  • Creative projects, guest lectures, and events.
  • An online learning programme to support studies outside college hours.

4 GCSEs at 4-9 (C-A*) including English.

This internally assessed course is delivered and evaluated by teachers through planned projects. These combine practical tasks, like Adobe software development, colour theory, composition techniques, motion graphics, and photography skills, as well as written reports, and presentations, involving both individual and group work. 

Our bespoke professional development programme aims to empower you to take your next steps into your future career. We achieve this by providing you with a three phase programme of lessons, projects and experiences designed to give you as much exposure to industry as possible.

Those who need to retake maths and/or English due to achieving a grade 3 or below will undertake 4 hours of maths and/or 3 hours of English a week. Learn more here.

All campuses 16-18*

FREE

All campuses 19+ (FIRST YEARS ONLY)

£2,882

student benefits

A range of student-friendly offers are available in partnership with WEX. These vary by store so check in with your local branch to see what support they can provide you as an ACC learner.

student benefits

A range of student-friendly offers are available in partnership with WEX. These vary by store so check in with your local branch to see what support they can provide you as an ACC learner.

PROGRESSION ROUTES

Your learning journey doesn’t just stop with this course! Take a look at next steps via courses at Access Creative College, Access Industry and dBs Institute!

Level 3 Content Creator (Apprenticeship)

This apprenticeship programme offers practical experience in video, social media, and digital content creation with training in key areas such as editing, marketing, and content strategy.
Find out more

Level 3 Digital Marketing (Multichannel Marketer)

This apprenticeship programme combines hands-on experience with training in key areas like SEO, social media, and analytics, preparing you for a successful career in digital marketing with industry-recognised qualifications.
Find out more

PROGRESSION ROUTES

Your learning journey doesn’t just stop with this course! Take a look at next steps via courses at Access Creative College, Access Industry and dBs Institute!

Level 3 Content Creator (Apprenticeship)

This apprenticeship programme offers practical experience in video, social media, and digital content creation with training in key areas such as editing, marketing, and content strategy.
Find out more

Level 3 Digital Marketing (Multichannel Marketer)

This apprenticeship programme combines hands-on experience with training in key areas like SEO, social media, and analytics, preparing you for a successful career in digital marketing with industry-recognised qualifications.
Find out more

INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

ACC Partners Latitude 2

Latitude Festival

ACC Partners Renderman 2

Renderman

ACC Partners Wild Paths 2

Wild Paths Festival

ACC Partners Brighten the Corners 2

Brighten The Corners

ACC Partners Love Saves The Day 2

Love Saves The Day

ACC Partners Climate Live

Climate Live

FIND OUT MORE

industry connections

ACC Partners Latitude 2

Latitude Festival

ACC Partners Renderman 2

Renderman

ACC Partners Wild Paths 2

Wild Paths Festival

ACC Partners Brighten the Corners 2

Brighten The Corners

ACC Partners Love Saves The Day 2

Love Saves The Day

ACC Partners Climate Live

Climate Live

Find out more

what next?

Book an open day

The best way to find out what it's like to study at Access Creative College is to come and see us at an open day. We have open days throughout the year. Book your place below.
Book now

How to apply

Applying is quick and easy, and can be done in less than two minutes. Just click the button below and fill in a quick form and we'll do the rest. We have interviewers ready to speak to you.
Apply now

what next?

Book an open day

The best way to find out what it's like to study at Access Creative College is to come and see us at an open day. We have open days throughout the year. Book your place below.

BOOK NOW

How to apply

Applying is quick and easy, and can be done in less than two minutes. Just click the button below and fill in a quick form and we'll do the rest. We have interviewers ready to speak to you.

APPLY NOW

related reading

related reading

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Registered Office: Heath Mill Studios, 68 Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, Birmingham, United Kingdom, B9 4AR. Access Further Education Ltd. trading as Access Creative College.
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