Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication

More about the course

Do you want to learn through creating, with access to industry-standard resources and working side by side with tutors who will nurture your creativity?

This art and design course is the perfect stepping stone to a creative course at university, as it allows you to focus solely on topics dedicated to art, design, and creativity.

You will have the freedom to experiment with materials, mediums, processes and techniques. As well as exploring topics like 3D design, fine art, photography, illustration, fashion, sculpture, and graphic design.

All creative practice students have access to print-making facilities, photography and film spaces, specialist lighting studios, theatre and production resources, audio visual editing software. You will also be taught and mentored by industry-experienced tutors, all with extensive backgrounds in the arts.

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including English and maths
A portfolio to demonstrate creative and artistic ability
Older students who do not meet the formal requirements may be considered on an individual basis of life skills and experience

Please note that entry requirements and course offer can be subject to change at any time.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this course you will receive a Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication.

What will I learn?

The creative process
Developing creative practice
Responding to a set brief

How is the course taught?

Practical workshops
Independent study time
Theory and contextual sessions
Enrichment activities and guest artist talks
Regular tutorials

How am I assessed?

Project work
Research and written work

Work experience opportunities

You will have the opportunity to display your work in public exhibitions and take part in real projects.

Our students engage with creative industries throughout the year. You will be asked to work on projects outside of Carlisle College to provide you with real world experience of what it means to be a creative.

We will also help you to develop your interview and CV writing skills. We have a dedicated work experience team who can help you find and organise work placement opportunities.

English and Maths

If you do not hold English and/or maths GCSEs at grade 4 or above you will be supported with dedicated lessons to help you achieve English and maths qualifications.

In Art and Design you will learn how to use ratios in painting and also scale, shape and space in design. You will also build on your English skills by developing an annotated creative portfolio and communicating with your team in group work.

Where can I progress?

Upon successful completion of this course you can progress onto our UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.

Whatever you want to do, be it an apprenticeship, internship, employment or higher education, you will be comfortable in the support you receive from us here at Carlisle College.

Course Costs

If you are aged 16-18 when you begin your course you are likely to be eligible for free tuition. Detailed information can be found within the financial support section.

Call us: 01228 822 700

Email us: info@carlisle.ac.uk

Visit us Apply now

Frances Moore

L3 Tutor in Creative Practice, Art, Design and Communication

Frances started her career in the Arts at sixteen selling works to Harrods and continued this while doing A levels and a Foundation course, graduated with BA(Hons) in Industrial Holloware MDD, then spent a year on a MA Ceramics course. Went on to do PGCE in Manchester moving on to lecture at Cumbria College of Art from 1994, teaching visual studies on a range of courses over the years including BA (Hons) Fine Art. Became British Wildlife artist in 1996 with BASC and showcased work through Galleries in London and a Variety of Scottish Galleries while teaching. Has continued to work on private commission work both drawings and paintings alongside working with environment and conservation organisations. Set up the Access to Higher Education Art and Design course at the University of Cumbria and was Senior Lecturer there for several years before moving to Carlisle College, Frances now teaches on the L3 Art and Design in creative practice. Works with the ethos of “everybody has a creative core! They just need help to unlock it”

Hannah Milburn

L3 Tutor in Creative Practice, Art, Design and Communication

Hannah would described herself as being passionate about *stuff*; collecting *stuff*, making *stuff*, drawing *stuff*, designing *stuff* and teaching *stuff*. Hannah’s professional practice includes designing and making colourful, textured mixed media pieces including greetings cards, home décor and textile pieces which have been sold at various independent craft fairs in Cumbria and most recently through the Zenya Collective in Carlisle. Having originally studied for and gained a 1st class BA [Hons] Contemporary Applied Arts degree specializing in textiles, an MA Contemporary Applied Arts and a PGCE Post Compulsory Education Hannah recently returned to education and graduated with an MSc Psychology Conversion through UCLAN. Hannah has written creative articles for the UK Craft Stamper magazine and been published in UCLAN’s annual academic journal ‘Through the Looking Glass’. Teaching creativity and fostering an individuals creative practice is Hannah’s passion and she has a wealth of experience having worked across multiple course levels from Level 1 to Level 7 throughout her career.

19 February 2026

Foundation Art Students Take Part in Civic Robe Restoration Project

Carlisle College was delighted to support the recreation and handover of the city’s mayoral robe, with Foundation Diploma students contributing to the detailed restoration work alongside specialist practitioner Lee Paton.