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Art & Design - Graphic Communication

A level and Applied

Art & Design - Graphic Communication

Course type: A level
Awarding/exam body: EDUQAS (WJEC)

Do you want to explore traditional as well as digital formats?

Are you an innovative, independent, risk-taking problem solver?

You’ll love the Graphic Communication A level that fosters creative problem solving and engagement with cultural, social and political issues. Your work will explore traditional as well as digital technologies, growing your knowledge and skills in illustration, branding, identity, advertising, motion graphics, and interaction/UX design.

You’ll develop creative thinking skills and ideas-led communication solutions, while having the opportunity visually to explore, challenge and develop your own ideas and opinions about significant themes and issues.

You will make contextual links between your own work and that of other artists and designers through research assignments and an extended essay.

Unit 1: Personal Investigation Portfolio (a coursework unit), 60% of overall mark. It includes a 1000-3000 word assignment.
Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment, 40% of overall mark. The project approach assignment is studied between February and May, and includes a 15 hour exam.

Two coursework projects: the Personal Investigation Portfolio (60%) and the Externally Set Assignment (40%).

Progression to university from this course is high; students who want to advance into art and design typically progress through a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and then onto undergraduate courses.

Many students go on to study at the University of the Arts London (UAL) colleges; Ravensbourne College of Design; Manchester Metropolitan University, and De Montford University.

Career opportunities include animation, video game design, graphic design, illustration creative director, set design, special effects artist, photography, product management, interaction design, industrial design, editorial design and architecture.

6 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, preferably including English Language or Maths at Grade 4 or above. An average GCSE Score of at least 4.3.

Grade 4 in Art, Textiles or Graphic Design, if taken OR Minimum Merit in BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Art.

Collaboration with galleries and other art institutions. These have included ‘Access Art 25’ with live interpretation with Antony Gormley at the Royal Academy

Visits to the Public Health Poster Collection at the Wellcome Collection, Euston

The Illustration ‘Pick Me Up’ Fair at Somerset House and the ICA

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Courses

Students can take any combination of 30 A level and Level 3 Applied Diploma subjects. Vocational programmes include 11 Level 3 Extended Diplomas, including BTEC, CTEC and University of the Arts courses, and 4 T Levels. We also offer BTEC Level 2 and Foundation options, along with GCSE Maths and English language retakes.

Students

At Saint Francis Xavier, we develop the whole person. Our commitment goes beyond academic achievement; we equip students with the confidence, values, and skills needed to thrive in higher education, employment, and adult life. With an extensive range of courses, our students receive expert teaching in our modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

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Parents & Carers

Personal Tutors will work with both you and your student to overcome any obstacles and achieve their potential. We build a positive ethos around learning and behaviour, support students with discussion and advice, invite you to progress review evenings, provide each student with an Individual Learning Plan (ILP), and send you full reports.

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Upcoming Events

Open Evening

Wednesday, 4th March · 4pm – 6pm

Explore your options and secure your offer from Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College for September 2026.

Book your place to visit London’s top performing and friendliest sixth form college with a 97% pass rate in A levels, BTECs, UAL Diplomas and T Levels.

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Hold your next event with us in one of our many available spaces. Choose from: a multi-use games area, sports hall, dining hall and garden, multi-purpose hall, dance/drama studio, fitness suite, meeting/conference rooms, computer suite, chapel and music studio. Kitchen and catering facilities and free parking are also available.

Nursery

‘Happy staff make happy children’

Nightingale’s Nursery is set in the beautiful, secure grounds of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College where children can play outside and help tend the vegetable patch. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework and provides a holistic learning environment, paying special attention to the transition from home to nursery, reassuring parents of their child’s wellbeing and progress on a daily basis.

Nightingale’s friendly team builds positive relationships with all the children and parents.

Student with child

What Our
Students Say

The support I received from passionate teachers who pushed me to aim higher, to the tailored guidance with university applications made all the difference. SFX believed in my potential even when I doubted myself, and that encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions. Without that foundation, I don’t think I’d be on the path to a legal career today.

Joshua, former Sociology student

Latest News & Blog

Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College announces excellent 2025 Level 3 examination results

We congratulate all our students who received their excellent public examination results today. We are delighted to see results improving on last year’s impressive pass rates across A level, BTEC, CTEC and UAL courses. Our second year T Level results have also been excellent. The overall pass rate at Level 3 was 97%, including 50% […]

Celebrating SFX diversity at Culture Day

Saint Francis Xavier Sixth Form College was filled with colour, flavour, and pride as we hosted our much-anticipated Culture Day — a joyful celebration of the rich diversity that makes our college community so special. We are proud to be a truly inclusive college, welcoming students and staff from a wide range of cultural and […]

SFX Young Enterprise Team Wins Regional Final at Samsung KX

We’re incredibly proud to announce that our Young Enterprise team, Nexora, has won the Central, North & West London Final, held at the prestigious Samsung KX venue in King’s Cross. Representing St Francis Xavier Catholic Sixth Form College, students Guilherme, Nawid, Tiago, Ruan and Kevin competed against seven other schools in a high-pressure final that tested their innovation, professionalism and business […]

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