Develop Your Talent at the School of Art and Design
Whether you’re leaving school, have discovered your passion later in life or are looking to retrain, a course in Art and Design at Edinburgh College can help you develop your talent.
Find a course that is right for you
The School of Art and Design has 19 full-time courses spanning five SCQF levels and covering different areas of art and design. You can choose to specialise in Animation, 3D Design, Contemporary Art Practice, Computer Art and Design, Textiles and Fashion, Graphics, Illustration and User Experience Design.
If you’re not sure what you would like to specialise in, our further education courses will introduce you to the skills and experience you need to help you decide. For example, our NC User Experience Design course will introduce you to graphic design and visual communication to prepare you for further study.
We also offer evening courses in life drawing, interior design and textiles, so if you’re not ready to dive straight into full-time learning there are options to fit your lifestyle and interests.
Take inspiration from your surroundings
Edinburgh is home to the world’s biggest arts festival, lots of art galleries and an influential creative sector, meaning that artistic inspiration will never be too far away while studying in Edinburgh. Whether you’re taking in the architecture of the medieval Old Town, soaking in thought provoking art exhibitions during the festivals or finding comfort in an art gallery, you are sure to find something to inspire you.
University of the Arts London Awarding Body
The School of Art and Design at Edinburgh College was the first college in Scotland to offer Art and Design qualifications from the prestigious University of the Arts London (UAL) Awarding Body. This means that you will benefit from UAL’s innovative courses which will prepare you to enter the best arts courses at the best arts universities across the UK.
There are five courses you can study which are UAL accredited including the Foundation Diploma and levels 1, 2 and 3 Diplomas in Art and Design and Fashion & Textiles. These courses have been designed to develop your skills and portfolio for further specialist study in Art and Design.
Preparing for university and work
Studying the right course at Edinburgh College will help you build, refine and showcase your talent. This will give you the confidence to develop a portfolio of work for successful UCAS applications. With an impressive portfolio and the study skills you’ve gained from your course, you can move on to university level study in your chosen specialism. UAL Foundation Diploma students regularly progress into second year and our HND programmes lead into second or third year entry at various universities across Scotland including Edinburgh College of Art, The Glasgow School of Art and Gray’s School of Art.
Many students are highly successful at gaining employment within the vibrant creative sector. Throughout the year, students exhibit their work which is a fantastic way of launching our student’s careers as working Artists and Designers. Past exhibitions have been held at Summerhall, The Dovecot, City Art Centre and Fruitmarket Gallery.
Be inspired by our students
Our HND and UAL Awarding Body students have showcased their work in two graduate books. Download these from the downloads section and get ready to be inspired by how our students have developed their talent.