UAL Level 2 Diploma in Art and Design

When & Where

1 September 2025 - 26 June 2026 ( 420 hours, 35 weeks )
Morning, Afternoon, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
View course timetable
Chelsea Centre

Quick Facts

Availability Yes (course free to 16-18 year olds)
Tutor Multiple
Course Code C25CRDA02A
Suitable For This course is free for 16-18s

What you will learn

This one year preparatory programme supports you to develop a specialist portfolio and confirm your pathway. You will be introduced to the rich and diverse subject areas that you can study at the Chelsea centre. These will include opportunities to explore the fields of Design, Fashion, Art, Film, Photography and Graphics through a supportive team of lecturers that will help you develop the skills you need to advance your learning in the creative industries. This course is aimed to help you determine which creative pathway your potential lies in and in term 3 you will specialise in this field developing an exciting final project that will prepare you fully for progressing onto specialised study with a L3 Diploma. You will learn through developing individual projects and ideas in response to a range of themes that will support your specialist interests. You will also develop technical skills alongside confidence, independence, communication and the resilience to succeed. You will learn in creative studios alongside our other courses through exploration and discovery, supported to develop the independence to research and respond to industry relevant briefs. Our curriculum is highly practical and is connected to the diverse range of opportunities on offer at the Chelsea Centre in our specialist subject areas to ensure that you can fully unleash your potential. The Chelsea Centre for the Creative Industries is a specialist centre of like-minded individuals supporting creative learning up to Degree level. We are part of Morley college, in the heart of London and make full use of our close proximity to the Victoria and Albert museum and the Serpentine Gallery. This course is recognised through the University of Arts London L2 Diploma, a specialist qualification written by Universities and industry to best prepare students for advanced study in the creative sector.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

An introductory experience to some of the materials, methods, processes and technical skills that support art and design activity
An introductory understanding of the context in which art and design activity is located
An opportunity to test student interest in art and design activities
Development of an awareness of the value of research to support art and design activity
An introduction to drawing skills necessary to support creative activity in art and design
Development of an understanding of the role of communication skills in the development of ideas
An opportunity to use the knowledge, understanding and skills developed throughout the qualification to identify, research and produce a personal art and design project.

On successful completion of the course, you will achieve the following qualification: Diploma in Art and Design [UAL]

Class format and activities

The class will be based in a well-equipped studio in a specialist centre where you will be supported to explore a range of media and approaches by expert lecturers. Industry relevant briefs will be delivered that will allow you to explore your personal voice supported by individual tutorials with lecturers. You will work with like minded peers in your group to develop and share ideas and occasionally achieve projects together. Alongside this you will have a range of technical workshops in support of your studies together with progression activities to support you develop an understanding of your eventual specialist area. Assessment Methods: You will be assessed through eight units. Unit 1 & 2 represent the Award Qualification. Following successful achievement of these you will progress to Units 3-7 to explore different specialist areas and in Unit 8 you will create a final major project. All assessment is through the work you produce, sketchbooks and practical work. There are no exams. Assessment will be supportive with deadlines towards the end of each term in which individual feedback will be given to support your next steps.

Entry requirements

You will need three GCSEs of 3 or above If you are under 19 and are yet to achieve your GCSE English or maths at grade 4 you will be provided with the opportunity to study these. This is an important and mandatory requirement of your Study Programme and non attendance will result in withdrawal. Entry can be supported for students applying from alternative routes where a full package of GCSEs may not have been studied. For further information please email the course contact.

What you need to know before you enrol

This is an exciting course that will encourage you to experiment with a range of different specialist areas, techniques and ideas. You will need to be enthusiastic and welcome the opportunity to try new and interesting experiences!

What you need

In this diverse course there will be various modest equipment & material needs as we progress through the course that will be individualised for need you will need to maintain a sketchbook and/or blog of your work.

What you can do next

On successfully achieving the L2 Diploma in Art, Design you can progress onto any L3 UAL Extended Diploma Programme