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HNC-HND Conversion Course for HND in Art and Design (Art Practice) // Level 5

The HNC/HND Art & Design (Art Practice), Fine Art, course is delivered in the higher education fine art studios at Queen Alexandra College, Creative Studios.  The course is skills based and validated by Pearson, Edexcel, embracing a broad range of Fine Art activities. Units are devised to enable the development of appropriate skills, nurturing an underpinning framework for diverse approaches, which are process-led.  These include experimental methods of Painting and Printmaking.

On completing the Higher National Certificate in Art Practice (Fine Art) many HNC students opt to do a third top-up year, bringing their qualification up to a full HND.  This third year can be done full time or as a part time course. If done part time it will be completed over 2 academic years.

Lecturing staff are practicing artists with extensive exhibition profiles and experience of both public and private sector commissions.

Modules

• Unit 32: Professional Practice  
• Unit 33: Applied Practice Collaborative Project (Pearson Set)
• Unit 40: Advanced Art Practice
• Unit 48: Conceptual Practice
• Unit 50: Material Selection
• Unit 56: Project Management

During the year, students will be given the opportunity to exhibit work, including temporary public art – works in place for 1 year in regional venues, providing an excellent platform for their creativity, which can be listed on students’ CVs.  In addition to both private and public commissions, artists find work in many industries, including artists residencies, selling work through commercial galleries, teaching, leading art groups in hospitals, running community arts programmes, illustration and working for galleries and museums. 

Some of the sessions are taught through demonstration (e.g. life drawing) as well as individual discussion/guidance. 

Entry requirements

An appropriate BTEC National Diploma in Art; or an appropriate Access to HE qualification; or a BTEC Diploma in Foundation Studies; or two AS Levels and one A level, including an Art and Design subject.  You will be expected to bring a portfolio of work that reflects your commitment to the subject.  Applicants without formal qualifications/with appropriate work experience or other qualifications can apply.  An interview is required. 

Assessment

Assessment is through assignments and work submitted, which is assessed each semester, with an external examiner visit at the end of the academic year.

Progression & Careers

• Top up qualification to our standalone HND course with a further year of study 
• Top up qualification to BA Hons final year at other universities
• Direct entry to University of Sunderland - We have a long standing and successful progression pathway with Sunderland University, who take our students onto their 3^rd year Fine Art degree programme. If you opt to do another year of study at Sunderland university, you will be awarded another 120 credits, bringing the total to 360 for a BA honours Degree in Fine Art.
• Upon completion you may seek employment in a variety of roles including Art Therapy, Teaching, Free-lance Artist, Art Practitioner and Graphic Design related roles

Further Information 

The Art and Design Teams busy making preparations for the start of your programme in September 2021.Covid-19 has challenged the delivery of programmes. At QA we have developed an effective approach to your programme of study, blending face-to-face and online teaching. Our experience has shown that this method opens new learning opportunities for all, enabling you to develop graduate skills such as time management, self-care and workload prioritisation, with support from the Art and Design team and wider college services available to you.

Art practical sessions will continue to be taught. This approach will ensure you develop your skills on campus. In addition, some theoretical lectures will be delivered online using conference technology (Microsoft Teams).

In the coming months before commencing your studies please contact the Programme Leaders (or this can be programme support teams etc) if we can offer any further guidance before joining us:

Programme leader contact: Sandra Earl

Programme leader contact email: Sandra.Earl@Tynecoast.ac.uk

* The University of Sunderland has a wide range of scholarships on offer. Find out more.

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