Ages 16–18
Years 12–13 studio pathways with tailored university guidance
6 Major Assessment Units
Core studio modules plus advanced creative practice programmes
1080 GLH
Two-year programme equivalent to three International A Levels
Portfolio & Exhibition Ready
Graduate showcases, creative industry mentoring, and admissions coaching
Design, Research, and Professional Practice at Advanced Level
Prime School’s Level 3 pathway combines rigorous studio exploration, contextual research, and real-world industry briefs. Learners work across fine art, fashion, digital media, and spatial design, building the critical and practical expertise expected by leading universities and creative employers worldwide.
Advanced Studio Practice
Investigative workshops in drawing, sculpture, textiles, lens-based media, and immersive tech.
Contextual Research
Global art history, contemporary culture, and design futures inform each brief and reflection.
Professional Practice
Project management, client liaison, and entrepreneurial planning embedded in briefs.
Global Progression Pathways
Dedicated mentorship for applications to UK, US, EU art schools and creative degrees.
Curriculum Structure
Module A develops foundational artistry, experimentation, and creative responses through Units A1–A3. Module B advances personal progression, industry research, and extended professional briefs through Units B1–B4. Pearson Set Assignments in A2 and B2 ensure international benchmarking while learners curate expansive portfolios for university entrance.
| Assessment unit | Unit size (GLH) |
Subsidiary Diploma (360 GLH) |
Foundation Diploma (540 GLH) |
Diploma (720 GLH) |
Extended Diploma (1080 GLH) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A1
Skills Development
|
270 | M | M | M | M |
|
A2
Responding to a BriefPSA
|
90 | M | M | M | M |
|
A3
Creative Project
|
180 | M | M | ||
|
B1
Personal Progression
|
90 | M | M | ||
|
B2
Personal InvestigationPSA
|
90 | M | |||
|
B3
Creative Industry Response
|
270 | M | |||
|
B4
Extended Creative Industry Response
|
360 | M |
Signature Learning Experiences
- Studio rotations across fine art, fashion, graphics, photography, digital media, and spatial design.
- Interdisciplinary hackathons and sustainability design sprints with global partners.
- Professional critique panels with Portuguese and international creative directors.
- International gallery visits, art fairs, and remote collaborations with artists in residence.
- Portfolio showcase at Prime School’s annual Art & Design Festival with university scouts.
Assessment Approach
- Pearson Set Assignments for Units A2 and B2 ensuring international parity.
- Holistic assessment across five shared criteria: informing ideas, problem solving, technical skills, professional practice, communication.
- Iterative feedback loops, reflective journals, and digital evidence logs.
- Industry-simulated pitches, proposals, and presentations.
Progression & Recognition
Graduates secure offers from:
- Top-tier art and design universities in the UK, EU, US, and Canada.
- Specialist degrees in architecture, fashion, communication design, animation, and creative technologies.
- Creative apprenticeships, internships, and start-ups in Lisbon’s innovation ecosystem.
- Prime School’s Creative Entrepreneurship Accelerator with venture mentoring.
“The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma let me specialise in fashion while building digital and business skills. My portfolio secured offers in London and Milan.”
Creative Industry Connections
Learners collaborate with galleries, studios, tech labs, and cultural institutions to test ideas with real audiences and clients.
Employer engagement guaranteed
Creative Mentors
Weekly clinics with designers, artists, architects, and creative technologists.
International Showcase
Collaborations with Lisbon Design Week, MAAT, and digital galleries.
Field Research
Immersive residencies, site-specific installations, and cultural documentation trips.
Creative Enterprise
Market testing, brand strategy, and commercial launches supported by mentors.
Transform Your Creative Ambition into a Global Portfolio
Join Prime School’s BTEC Art & Design Level 3 Extended Diploma to master advanced studio practice, innovate with industry partners, and secure offers from leading art schools worldwide.