Art and Design (Illustration & Graphic Design): HNC
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Course overview
Explore your creativity, develop your artistic voice, and build the foundation for a future in the visual arts.
This inspiring and highly practical HNC programme supports you to deepen your creative skills, experiment with new ideas, and develop a strong portfolio for progression to HND Year 2 and, eventually, degree-level study. Based at our friendly East End Campus, you’ll benefit from smaller class sizes, dedicated studio space, and the chance to collaborate with other creative departments and community partners.
You’ll explore a wide range of fine art media and approaches — from expressive mark-making to conceptual development — supported by experienced lecturers who will help you build confidence, independence, and a personal visual language.
Through studio practice, critiques, exhibitions, and reflective learning, this course gives you the time and space to grow as an artist while gaining the technical and professional skills needed for further study or entry into the creative industries.
This course is ideal if you:
- Want to explore and develop a personal creative identity
- Enjoy experimenting with different media, materials, and processes
- Are aiming to build a strong fine art portfolio for HND or degree study
- Are returning to education and looking for a structured, supportive environment
- Want hands-on experience in a professional art studio setting
What you will learn
You’ll take part in a rich mix of studio practice, creative exploration, and professional development.
Key areas include:
- Creative Process & Experimentation — developing ideas from concept to final artwork
- Critical Thinking & Reflection — gaining confidence through critiques, tutorials, and reflective practice
- Professional Practice — learning how to present, discuss, and write about your work
- Exhibition Skills — preparing and displaying work in our dedicated gallery spaces
- Portfolio Development — building a cohesive portfolio that reflects your strengths and artistic direction
By the end of the course, you’ll have produced a strong body of work that supports progression to HND Year 2 or further visual arts pathways.
Entry requirements
To apply for the HNC Art and Design, you should meet one of the following:
✅ A minimum C grade pass in Higher / Advanced Higher Art & Design AND
✅ A minimum B grade in National 5 English, or a minimum C at Higher English OR
✅ An NQ in Art & Design or related subject (minimum 15 credit passes)
If you have an equivalent qualification but no formal passes, don’t worry — we’ll consider your application based on your portfolio.
You’ll be asked to upload examples of your work and provide a short written description of selected pieces.
ℹ️ Due to Health & Safety, Awarding Bodies stipulations or Legislation set by Governing Bodies - you must be 16 years old at the start of this course.
ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.
Career Opportunities
This qualification supports progression into a wide range of creative roles, such as:
🎨 Independent Artist
🖼 Gallery or Museum Assistant
🏫 Art & Design Technician
🎭 Community Arts Practitioner
📚 Art Teacher or Lecturer (with further study)
🖌 Illustrator or Designer
📱 Creative roles in marketing, branding, and social media
Future prospects
Successful students typically progress to:
- HND Art & Design (Year 2) at Glasgow Kelvin College
- Degree-level study at universities across the UK, including:
- Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
- Edinburgh College of Art (ECA)
- Duncan of Jordanstone (DJCAD)
- Gray’s School of Art
- University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI)
- University of Cumbria
- Goldsmiths
- Falmouth
- Central St Martins
- And many more
