What is the Level 2  (Level 5 SCQF) BTEC First Certificate in Art and Design?

The qualification is aimed at school learners who are interested in developing a suitable portfolio for application to more advanced level courses in Art and Design. The BTEC First Certificate will provide you with a grounding in the essential skills and broad fundamentals crucial to this area of study and gain experience of studying Art and Design within a college environment.The course is designed to enable you to study other subjects at school alongside your BTEC First Certificate. There are two core units plus one specialist unit. Art and Design comprises a wide range of different specialities and the course is structured to allow you to develop your interests, at the same time as gaining a broad foundation and being introduced to new areas, such as Drawing and Painting, Visual Communications, 3D Design and Sculpture.

Where will this qualification take me?

Employment opportunities:
Following completion of the BTEC First Certificate in Art and Design, successful candidates could be able to enter initial employment, at a junior level within the creative industries.
Further vocational and academic qualifications:

The BTEC First Certificate has the equivalence of 2 Standard Grades at Credit up to two Intermediate 2 qualifications depending on the final grade achieved. If you achieve a good grade and produce a strong portfolio in the BTEC First Diploma in Art and Design, it is possible for you to progress to a higher level qualification such as a BTEC National Certificate in Art and Design, or to enrol on another level 2 full time specialist programme in an Art and Design discipline.

How long will it take me to complete this qualification?

It will take one academic year to complete

What are the entry requirements?

Fundamentally you should have a general school education, for example a minimum of a four Standard Grades at general or above including Art and Design and English (or equivalent). It is envisaged successful S5 + S6 school applicants could already have achieved Credit grades at Standard grade, in Art and Design and English. All applicants must submit a portfolio of practical Artwork that demonstrates creative potential in sketchbooks and larger scale imagery. Potential applicants should take note that the selection decision and emphasis is based on the portfolio assessment and interview as well as academic grades.