What Is A Level Fine Art?

If you love art and are choosing your A Levels, you might be considering A Level Fine Art.

A Level Fine Art is a creative qualification that fosters artistic and technical skills. It is currently offered as part of Art and Design by AQA (opens in a new tab), Pearson Edexcel (opens in a new tab), OCR (opens in a new tab) and WJEC (both Eduqas (opens in a new tab) in England and CBAC (opens in a new tab) in Wales).

This guide walks you through what the course covers, how it's assessed, what you need to take it, and where it can lead.

Key Takeaways

• AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC all offer A Level Fine Art as part of Art and Design

• Most exam boards (including the UK’s largest exam board, AQA) cover seven areas of study, including drawing and painting, sculpture and printmaking

• Apart from WJEC CBAC, assessment is made up of two components: one is worth 60% and the other 40%

• While GCSE Art and Design is not a requirement, many schools ask for it

• You can prepare for A Level Fine Art by building a portfolio, visiting galleries and exhibitions and learning about GCSE Art and Design

What is A Level Fine Art?

A Level Fine Art is a qualification that focuses on developing personal creative work across multiple areas, including drawing and painting, sculpture and printmaking. It is one of the options you can choose for A Level Art and Design, and it comes under Creative and Performing Arts subjects in the list of A Levels.

What you'll create

Below is AQA’s list of the areas you’ll work in:

• Drawing and painting

• Mixed-media

• Sculpture

• Ceramics

• Installation

• Printmaking

• Moving image and photography

Other exam boards largely cover the same areas, but check with your school’s exam board specification for more information.

How A Level Fine Art is assessed

AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR and WJEC Eduqas all use the following assessment structure:

WJEC CBAC has different units for AS and A2. For more information, visit the WJEC CBAC specification (opens in a new tab).

The Four Assessment Objectives

All exam boards assess your work using the same four assessment objectives, and each is worth 25% of your grade:

1.     AO1: develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

2.     AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

3.     AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

4.     AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

What grades are available?

A Level Fine Art is graded using the standard A Level grade scale: A* to E.

Grade boundaries shift slightly each year and depend on the exam board.

Is A Level Fine Art right for you?

If you studied (and enjoyed) GCSE Art and Design, have a passion for art and want a creative degree and/or career, A Level Fine Art is seriously worth considering.

For ideas on how Fine Art might sit alongside other subjects, see most common A Level combinations.

If you're choosing between A Level Fine Art and other specialisms, make sure you read our guides on A Level Fashion and Textiles and Photography.

How to prepare for A Level Fine Art

Students who do well in A Level Fine Art usually start preparing for A Levels after GCSE. Here are some practical steps you can start taking now:

• Build a portfolio – drawings and paintings are ideal to begin

• Visit galleries and exhibitions – take notes on the pieces that stand out to you the most

• Learn what GCSE Art and Design is if you’re new to the subject

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need GCSE Art and Design to take A Level Fine Art?

Technically no, although the course does build upon the foundation laid at GCSE.

Check your school’s entry requirements, as some schools do ask for GCSE Art and Design.

How much time does A Level Fine Art take outside lessons?

It’s similar to the amount of time you need to revise for other A Levels, but it involves more practical work than passive revision.

Is A Level Fine Art respected by universities?

Yes. Universities accept A Level Fine Art as a recognised A Level worth standard UCAS points.

It's particularly valued for art-related degrees.

What's the difference between A Level Fine Art, Photography and Graphic Communication?

All three are specialisms in A Level Art and Design, but each one has a different area of focus.

A Level Fine Art is a broad specialism involving drawing, painting, sculpture, as well as other areas.

A Level Photography is the practice of producing images using light-sensitive materials

such as photographic film, or digital methods of development and production to create static or

moving images.

A Level Graphic Communication involves designing primarily visual material, including illustrations, typography and packages. The output is more commercial than artistic.

How much does A Level Fine Art cost in materials?

Schools often supply some basic materials, but expect to buy your own sketchbooks, paints, brushes, and any specialist media you choose. £100-200 a year is typical, and you can expect to pay more if you work in oils or sculpture.