New A level option evening for 16-18 year olds at Plymouth College of Art

Students wanting to take art and design A-levels will now be able to study at the South West’s specialist Art College, Plymouth College of Art.

The college in the heart of Plymouth’s city centre has announced 30 places on its new A level programme which was revealed recently.

There will be an opportunity to find out more at a special Options Evening for students and parents on Tuesday, May 17 at the college from 6.30-8.30pm.

Leonie Beaglehole, head of marketing at the college, told ArtsCulture: “We are looking forward to meeting the city’s talented and enthusiastic future artists, designers and makers and their families.

“Please register online at www.plymouthart.ac.uk for your chance to see our facilities in action and meet the tutors of these exciting new A Levels.”

A levels on offer are Art & Design, Graphic Communication, Photography, Textile Design, and Critical and Contextual Studies.

Hannah Revell, associate director for development at the college said: “In response to huge and popular demand from students and parents, Plymouth College of Art will be offering a suite of A Level qualifications commencing September 2011.

“Plymouth College of Art is one of only four specialist colleges of art, design and media in the country and as such is well placed to provide students with a dynamic choice of A level provision, providing a significantly different experience to what they would gain at school.

“The college prides itself on having some of the best studio and equipment resources for arts education to be found anywhere in the UK. Students of the college will be able to access specialist studios and work with practicing artists and tutor practitioners in the development of unique A level arts portfolios,” she said.

“We have a proven track record for enabling our students to progress onto some of the most prestigious degree programmes in the country, as well as enabling them to find employment opportunities within the creative industries. Our success rates for 16-18 year old students are the highest in Plymouth, running at 90% (This is based on ILR data for 2008/2009).”

“Our aim as a specialist College of Art is to provide better opportunities along with a more extensive choice of A Level provision to students who want to study in a specialist college environment.

“We are confident that those students successfully completing the A level suite will be able to progress to a Foundation Diploma or Undergraduate degree, and the College will guarantee a place for students wishing to continue their studies in Plymouth College of Art.

“We want to work with students and their parents in partnership, in order to provide the best opportunities for the young and talented people of the South West.”

In addition to the A level Options Evening, there are a series of events to find out more about the College. The general Open Day, for higher and further education, is on 14 May 10-4pm, and the Masters Open Evening on Wednesday, May 11 at 6.30 is a chance to find out more about new postgraduate courses at the College. Register online at www.plymouthart.ac.uk