Qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 1 Diploma in Art & Design (601/8542/9)
Overview
This Pearson BTEC Level 1 Diploma in Art and Design is a one-year full-time programme of study, broadly equivalent to three GCSEs at Grade D-F. Also included will be Essential Skills in Numeracy, Literacy, and ICT.
You will have the opportunity to develop your technical art & design skills through a process of self-evaluation, practice and review.
You will study a wide range of 2D and 3D contemporary art & design practices such as Painting and Drawing, Printmaking, Ceramics, Photography, as well as historical and contemporary research in art & design.
The programme will provide you with the knowledge and skills that will prepare you for progression to further study. The transferable skills that will enable you to progress include:
- the ability to learn independently
- the ability to actively investigate and problem solve
- practical and personal communication skills.
You will also benefit from opportunities for deep learning, where you are able to make connections between learning and teaching modules and assessment units and select areas of interest for detailed study. BTEC qualifications provide a vocational context in which you can develop the knowledge and skills required for further study at Level 2, such as:
- project work
- teamwork
- project work
- presentation skills
- analytical skills
- creative development
- developing and monitoring progress towards personal aims.
Academic Course Entry Requirements
Minimum entry requirements are pre-defined by the College’s admissions criteria, which can be found by visiting our entry criteria page on this link
Entry criteria for this course are:
You should have at least two points at Level 2 and have completed a programme of general education to Key Stage 4 to include GCSE Mathematics at minimum Grade F, and GCSE English Language at minimum Grade F.
Non-academic course entry requirements
Important: All applicants must also meet the following conditions:
- be 16 years old by 1 July 2026.
- provide proof of:
- Right to Study in the UK. For courses with work placement, proof of your right to work in the UK is also required.
- Photographic proof of identity
- Provide translated copies of and/or demonstrate equivalency of non-UK qualifications.
Further information on non-academic course entry requirements can be found at https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/full-time/further-education/entry-criteria-further-education
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for FE Courses
APL allows you to use evidence from prior learning or experience to gain entry onto a course at Belfast Met. Belfast Met will work with you to make sure that relevant learning or work experience is formally recognised through the APL Process. For more information see Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Process - Guidance for applicants. If you would like more information, or if you decide you would like to use the APL process, please contact the Course Co-ordinator. Contact details are provided at the end of these slides and on the course details page on Belfast Met website.
There are no course fees.
Visit our Student Funding page to find out how to fund your studies.
All fees are set in accordance with DfE regulations.
Please contact the student loan company if you require a loan or our Funding Team by emailing studentfunding@belfastmet.ac.uk
Students are assessed using a range of different methods.
The course consists of 4 mandatory units and 6 optional units all internally assessed through assignments in the form of portfolios, classroom observations and written work.
The 4 mandatory units are:
- A1 Being Organised
- A2 Developing a Personal Progression Plan
- A3 Working with Others
- A4 Researching a Topic
The 6 optional units are selected from:
Creating an Art Image
Creating a 3D Art Object
Presenting an Image Using a Camera
Designing a Product
Planning and Marketing an Exhibition
Creating a Mood Board
Creating an Artefact Using Clay
Creating Prints
Careers
Achievement on this course provides a suitable foundation for further study within the sector through progression on to other vocational qualifications at Level 2, such as Pearson BTEC Level 2 qualifications/traineeship in Art and Design.
Interests
- Creativity
- Design
- Art
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