- - WJEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
We are updating our Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design to ensure it remains current and reflects feedback from centres.
We held an initial meeting with centres in November 2024 to help inform our thinking and we are now seeking views from centres on our high-level proposals. Feedback at this stage will inform the final shape and content of the qualification. The link to the consultation can be found below.
About the qualification
The principal aim of the qualification is to provide the context in which learners can build on previous experience, identifying and interpreting their strengths and the most suitable specialist progression pathways. This is achieved through continuous diagnostic and progressive exploration of methods and concepts particular to Art, Craft and Design, which extends critical independence and enables learners to demonstrate a full understanding of the relevant standards required to achieve specialist progression.
With over a hundred different undergraduate disciplines in the fields of art, craft and design to choose from, the WJEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design helps learners to make appropriate choices and prepares them for Higher Education or future employment within creative visual disciplines.
Why reform?
Since the launch of the qualification in its current form in 2017, there have been many developments in the creative industry. Therefore, there is a need to update content and terminology to reflect the creative sector and the evolving needs of learners.
There is scope to simplify the administrative burden for centres around assessment, whilst ensuring that awarding and reporting mechanisms remain informative and robust.
The current qualification structure is illustrated below
|
Stage |
Unit title |
GLH |
Assessment |
Weighting |
Level |
|
1 |
Unit 1 Drawing and Colour as an investigative process in Art & Design |
150 |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 2 Exploring materials and making in Art & Design |
150 |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
- |
3 |
|
|
2 |
Unit 3 Developing specialist practice and preparing for progression in Art & Design |
90 |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 4 Personal development and innovation in Art & Design |
90 |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
- |
3 |
|
|
3 |
Unit 5 Proposing and reviewing a major project |
60 |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
- |
4 |
|
Unit 6 Curating and presenting a major project |
180 |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
100% |
4 |
Units in stages one and two are often delivered and assessed together. All assessment criteria for each unit must be met before moving to the next stage.
As part of the reform, we are proposing to fully combine units for each stage, so the course is still structured into three stages but is made up of three units instead of six:
|
Unit title |
GLH |
Assessment |
Weighting |
Level |
|
Unit 1 – Stage 1: (Developing creative approaches) |
300 |
Internal |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 2 – Stage 2: (Personal expansion and promoting self) |
180 |
Internal |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 3 – Stage 3: (Presenting to audiences) |
240 |
Internal (externally quality assured) |
100% |
4 |
We are not proposing significant changes to content of the qualification. As part of the refresh, we propose to:
- update the specification to reflect the role of digital technologies in the creative industries
- develop professional competencies within unit 2 to support progression to creative industry roles as well as HE
- update content to reflect current terminology and ideas
- reflect current innovations in practice, accessibility and sustainability within the unit content as appropriate
The current assessment structure is outlined below:
|
Unit title |
Assessment |
Grading |
Weighting |
Level |
|
Unit 1 Drawing and Colour as an investigative process in Art & Design |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
Pass/Fail |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 2 Exploring materials and making in Art & Design |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
Pass/Fail |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 3 Developing specialist practice and preparing for progression in Art & Design |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
Pass/Fail |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 4 Personal development and innovation in Art & Design |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
Pass/Fail |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 5Proposing and reviewing a major project |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
Pass/Merit/Distinction |
- |
4 |
|
Unit 6 Curating and presenting a major project |
Internally assessed and externally moderated |
Pass/Merit/Distinction |
100% |
4 |
We are proposing the assessment structure below alongside a review of the current assessment criteria:
|
Unit title |
Assessment |
Grading |
Weighting |
Level |
|
Unit 1 - Stage 1: (Developing creative approaches) |
Internal |
Pass/Fail |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 2 - Stage 2: (Personal expansion and promoting self) |
Internal |
Pass/Fail |
- |
3 |
|
Unit 3 - Stage 3: (Presenting to audiences) |
Internal (externally quality assured) |
Pass/Merit/Distinction |
100% |
4 |
All learners will have to meet all assessment criteria to progress to the next stage.
Whilst the specification for the current qualification refers to external moderation, the process being followed is more closely aligned with our external quality assurance process. We therefore propose to update the specification information to refer to the External Quality Assurance model of Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny.
- The main purpose of external quality assurance is to:
- ensure standards aligned within and across centres
- confirm that the centre's internal quality assurance system is working and being applied effectively and consistently
- check candidates’ work is relevant and authentic
- ensure that any necessary resources are in place to support the delivery of the qualification
- check that any centre-devised assessments are appropriate.
External Quality Assurance will normally be undertaken through a centre visit. Every centre will be subject to face-to-face quality assurance prior to certificating any learners.
A further support visit or meeting per year may be arranged with the External Quality Assurer subject to approval by WJEC.
WJEC will allocate a quality assurer to a centre for a period of 3 years. After this time, centres will be rotated.
Consultation questions
To provide your views on these proposals please complete the online response here.
The closing date for the consultation is 31st January 2025.
Get involved
There are several ways to get involved in the reform of our Level 3 Foundation Art and Design qualification:
We are looking for individuals to join our Qualification Development Advisory Groups to advise, inform and challenge us as we move through the qualification development process.
Our Qualification Development Advisory Groups:
- inform the outline qualification design, including the qualification structure and approaches to assessment
- test our proposals, by being a critical but supportive friend to ensure that the qualification will meet stakeholder expectations
- contribute with a solutions mindset.
Our first Qualification Development Advisory Groups will be held in February (date to be confirmed). These meetings will provide an opportunity to inform new content and innovative approaches to assessment for the new qualifications.
Register your interest in joining our Qualification Development Advisory Groups by emailing qualificationdevelopment@wjec.co.uk. Tell us (in no more than 300 words) a little about your skills and experience and why you are interested in this opportunity.
Qualification writers and reviewers are central to the development of our qualifications. In this role you will be asked to undertake some or all of the following:
- produce unit content along with a rationale for inclusion that meets qualification requirements
- produce sample assessments (question papers/ non-examination assessment tasks and mark schemes) that meet qualification and assessment specification requirements
- review unit content/ sample assessments to ensure that they meet qualification and assessment specification requirements
- submit unit and assessment content in the required format, within agreed timescales
- ensure unit and assessment content meets all commissioning instructions, as agreed with the qualification development officer
- provide additional assessment content as required, including document/image sources and details of copyright permission.
- attend assessment review panel days and training sessions, as required (which will be held via Microsoft Teams, online).
Experience / qualifications needed
- teaching and/or professional qualifications/experience relevant to the sector
- knowledge and understanding of vocational qualifications
- good written communication skills particularly in your sector/subject areas of choice
- confident use of ICT
- ability to pick up new skills quickly and apply them
- ability to work to a tight deadline
- be able to write clearly and concisely.
For further information, please contact qualificationdevelopment@wjec.co.uk.
How to apply:
If you wish to apply for the role and are not currently working for the WJEC please go to https://appointees.wjec.co.uk and click 'Apply to become an Examiner' to fill out the application form.
If you currently work for WJEC, please log in to your Appointees Management Portal Account (using your new username) and click on the 'My Application' icon on the home screen. Please ensure you add the role of Specification Developer for Foundation Art and Design, Level 3 on the 'subject area' tab and fill in all the other fields of the application. It is important that you update your Supporting Statement on the application.
If you require any further assistance in completing the application please contact: -
Rob Reynolds | rob.reynolds@wjec.co.uk | 02920 265 050
or
Rabina Chowdhury | rabina.chowdhury@wjec.co.uk | 02920 265 019
For further information, please email qualificationdevelopment@wjec.co.uk