NQ Art and Design: Fine Art Portfolio - Level 5
- Location
- Anniesland Campus
- SCQF Level
- 5
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- NQ
- Course Type
- Full-Time
- Duration
- 1 year (August to June)
Are you looking for a creative fine art course that is exciting and challenging? This Level 5 Fine Art course is designed to ignite your artistic passion and develop your skills across various mediums. You’ll have the opportunity to experiment with drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and more, all while learning from experienced artists and designers. This course encourages you to think critically and express your unique perspective through your work. Whether you’re aiming for a career in the arts or simply want to enhance your artistic ability, this course provides you with the stepping stones to progress your career.
What will I learn?
This NQ Art and Design: Fine Art Portfolio course focuses on delivering essential skills in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Digital Media, and Sculpture. Each discipline is delivered through a series of projects and workshops which explore techniques and ideas used by Contemporary Artists. Emphasis is placed on the developmental stage of the artistic process where you'll be encouraged to be experimental and creative in how you approach each project. Learning to develop good research skills is integral to the course and will help you develop your own creative voice.
The course includes:
- All types of drawing
- Painting in various media
- Sculpture – hand building, casting, constructing
- Printmaking – screenprinting, etching, mono, collagraph
- Art context
- Mixed media artwork
- Digital media
- Sketchbook development
- Personal project.
Throughout the NQ Art and Design: Fine Art Portfolio course, you'll be supported in preparing and presenting your portfolio of artwork for future progression.
In addition to working in the studio, visit to galleries will be encouraged, artist talks may be given, and the opportunity to participate in artist workshops is sometimes available.
Our facilities are purpose-built and include ceramic and glass kilns, a Mac suite, screen-printing, etching facilities and fully equipped art studios.
Check out our past students' work at artglasgowclyde.com
Entry requirements (minimum)
- Two National 5s, Art and Design and English are preferable but not essential
- A personal statement is key to supporting a successful application
- You may be asked to show examples of your artwork if you require reassurance that this is the right course for you
- Mature students will be considered based on their portfolio of work and relevant experience
- Please note: if you are planning to use this course to apply direct to art school you should have a minimum of two good passes at Higher level.
Entry requirement equivalency table
If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area.
Employer and industry links
- Workshop with Glasgow Print Studio
- Visits to artists’ studios
- Gallery and studio visits
- Guest speakers from Art School tutors and past students.
Jobs and further study
You could make a career from your artistic skills. Many of our former students work in the creative industries or as independent arts practitioners.
You could also continue your studies at the college on one of our other art and design courses:
- HNC Fine Art: Contemporary Art Practice
- HNC Fine Art: Painting and Printmaking
- Art school (for students with the relevant academic qualifications)
Take a look at the course progression map for art and design courses.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You'll receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you'll either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you'll be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements; you have attended an information session or interview, and your place is guaranteed. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. You'll be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements and have attended an information session, but the course is currently full, and you have been placed on a waiting list. Once a place becomes available you'll be contacted and offered. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place.
Once you have accepted your offer, you'll be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will take place in June prior to you starting your course in August 2025.
