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Art & design
Courses

Whether you’re a painter, potter or graphic designer, your creative and technical skills will flourish in our Art & Design department.

Learn through creating

As an Art & Design student, you will have the freedom to explore new ideas while developing technical skills in your chosen medium.

Your creativity will be enhanced with a unique learning environment. Truro & Penwith College offers purpose-built facilities containing specialist studios, exhibition spaces and inspirational views. These studios will provide you with an experience of the diverse creative industries.

You will have the opportunity to build a portfolio of work as well as a chance to exhibit in our exhibitions. Many students progress to university or to our successful Foundation Diploma in Art & Design, based at our Tregye campus.

Click above to watch our film about studying Art & Design at Truro and Penwith College and the career and university opportunities available to you.

A picture of Programme Team Leader, Arlo Tinson.
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Every year, our students develop and explore new skills and ideas. They progress to prestigious universities and become part of the creative industries.

Arlo Tinson - Programme Team Leader

a variety of courses

We have a wide range of qualifications, from Access Courses, Apprenticeships and A Levels to Undergraduate Degrees. We also run IB Visual Arts as part of the IB Diploma. All of our tutors are experts in their fields, whether silversmiths, illustrators or interior designers, and will give you the support and tuition you need to achieve your potential.

inspirational settings

Studying with us, you’ll have access to industry-standard studios and vibrant exhibition space in the purpose-built specialist White building at Truro College and the refurbished Nanjizal building in Penwith, which offers space, light and fantastic views over the Penwith Campus and Mounts Bay beyond. Some of our adult part-time courses are also run in the inspirational setting of the Penzance School of Art, a beautiful building dating back to the mid-19th century.

learn and create

Through the study of art history, theory and techniques, you’ll be encouraged to explore and experiment with different ideas in a way that will spark your creativity and energise your practical work.

Man in yellow tshirt, walks through the gallery walls of artwork.

Get Creative

Students exhibit their work locally and nationally, at live venues and over digital platforms, including the Mall Galleries, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Academy of Arts, the Truman Gallery and New Designers, London. We also host our own annual Art Shows in Truro City Centre and Penzance School of Art, exhibiting artwork from all levels and courses.

100% achievement on eight of our Art and Design courses. 10 out of 11 courses achieved pass rates above the national average.

2.5m

The Creative Industries account for 24% of the UK workforce (2.5 million jobs) contributing over £77 billion per year to the UK Economy.

 

1 - 6

Our Art & Design Department offers progression pathways from Level 1 through to Level 6 BA Hons in Silversmithing and Jewellery and Design Craft Maker.

travel

Student residential visits have included travel to Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, New York, and London and many individual day trips to visit local exhibitions, museums, studios, workshops, and galleries.

Expert

Students work with energetic and well qualified staff, who have expert knowledge and are practicing creatives in many specialisms.

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I love the social side of College; I’ve made so many new friends that all come from different parts of Cornwall. I've also received so much support from all my lecturers. I’d like to thank the Technicians who have helped guide me during my time studying A Level 3D Design.

Ella - A Level 3D Design, Maths and Geography
Ella Metcalf Walker 3d Design Web

Select a pathway

All
A student sits on the floor and paints onto a large piece of fabric.

UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Full Time
Truro College
A student sits at a table with scissors in hand. She smiles at the camera.

A Level Art & Design: Fine Art

Full Time
Truro College
A close-up image of a winsor and newton spatula on a plate with lots of thick paint.

HNC/D Fine Art

Full Time
Penwith College
A student sat outside in the sun holds a paintbrush and has watercolour paints on her lap.

Access to Higher Education: Creative Arts

Full Time
Penwith College
A student sits at a table with pen in hand. She smiles at the camera. A mannequin is on the table next to her.

A Level Fashion

Full Time
Truro College
An image of a student working in their sketchbook.

UAL Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design

Full Time
Penwith College
School Leaver
A student sits at a table with scissors in hand. She smiles at the camera.

A Level Art & Design: Fine Art

Full Time
Truro College
The photo looks over the shoulder of a student who is editing a photograph of a woman in photoshop.

A Level Art & Design: Illustration & Graphics

Full Time
Truro College
A close-up image of letters that have been carved from a piece of card. The letters are stood up vertically. Hands hold a scalpel.

A Level Art & Design: Illustration & Graphics

Full Time
Penwith College
A student sits at a table working on an art project.

UAL Level 2 Diploma in Art & Design

Full Time
Truro College
A student works on fabric attached to a mannequin.

A Level Textiles

Full Time
Truro College
A students looks at the camera smiling. She is cutting a piece of paper with a pair of scissors.

UAL Level 1 Diploma in Art, Design and Media

Full Time
Penwith College
University Centre
A student sits on the floor and paints onto a large piece of fabric.

UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design

Full Time
Truro College
A student works on a piece of art which is spread out over a table.

Access to Higher Education: Art & Design

Full Time
Truro College
A student sat outside in the sun holds a paintbrush and has watercolour paints on her lap.

Access to Higher Education: Creative Arts

Full Time
Penwith College
A close-up image of a winsor and newton spatula on a plate with lots of thick paint.

HNC/D Fine Art

Full Time
Penwith College
Adult & Professional

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FAQs

To apply for an art and design course at Truro and Penwith College, visit the course page on our official college website and complete your application online.

Entry requirements for art and design programs vary. Check the specific course details on the college website or prospectus or contact the admissions office for the most accurate and up-to-date information on entry requirements.

Graduates from art and design programs at Truro and Penwith College can pursue diverse career paths, including roles in Animation, Fine Art, Interior Design, Architecture, Fashion and Textiles and more. The field offers a wide range of opportunities in various industries. Visit the Career Zone or truro-penwith.ac.uk/career-zone to find out more.

Yes, students exhibit work locally and nationally, over digital platforms and live venues including the Mall Galleries, New Designers, Royal Society of British Artists and the British Art Medal Society in London. We also host our own annual Art Shows in Truro City Centre and Penzance School of Art, exhibiting artwork from all levels and courses.

The White building at Truro is a purpose-built art facility containing specialist studios and exhibition spaces. At Penwith, the Nanjizal building has space, light and views over the campus. These exceptional studios with fantastic resources, including the south west’s largest range of 3D printers, laser cutters and profilers, will provide you with an experience of diverse creative industries. Come and see for yourself at one of our Open Events. Visit truro-penwith.ac.uk/events.

We strongly recommend making an application for your chosen course as soon as you can when you are in your final year of school. After you have submitted your application, you will be invited to attend an interview where you can make amendments to your application if need be.

find out more about Art & Design enrichment

Truro College

Tel: 01872 305000
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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Penwith College

Tel: 01736 809000
Email: penwithenquiries@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Penwith College,
St Clare Street, Penzance,
Cornwall, TR18 2SA
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STEM & Health Skills Centre

Tel: 01208 224455
Email: enquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

STEM & Health Skills Centre,
Ottery Building, Old Callywith Road, Bodmin, PL31 2GU
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University Centre

Tel: 01872 305750
Email: heenquiry@truro-penwith.ac.uk

University Centre Truro & Penwith,
Fal Building, College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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Future Skills Institute

Tel: 01872 308000
Email: futureskills@truro-penwith.ac.uk

Truro & Penwith College,
College Road, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3XX
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