<p>37% of Plymouth College of Art UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma students obtained a Distinction, which is equivalent to 3 A*s at A-level or 168 UCAS points. This is an achievement significantly higher than the national average of 23% of students who receive a Distinction in the UAL accredited qualification.</p> <p>These results reflect the hard work and innovative creative practice of our students, which was on show to the public in the recent <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/in-pictures-pre-degree-summer-show-2019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pre-Degree Summer Show</a>, when Palace Court's open-plan studios were transformed into a lively gallery space, showcasing art, fashion, design and digital media.<br /></p>

<p>Last week <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Photography</a> student Jordan Mortlock, aged 18, was chosen from 450 submissions to exhibit his work at <a href="http://www.arts.ac.uk/about-ual/awarding-body/about-us/working-with-us/origins-student-exhibition/">Origins 2017</a>, where UAL Awarding Body's Chief Examiner for Art and Design selected Jordan for the Level 3 Award in Art and Design 2017.</p> <p>Approximately 36,000 students undertake the UAL qualifications and only the top 120 pieces of work submitted were chosen for display in Origins, an annual exhibition that celebrates the exceptional work being produced by students taking UAL Awarding Body qualifications nationally. Origins was held at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch in early July 2017 as part of established student showcase season, <a href="http://www.free-range.org.uk/cgi-bin/about.pl?yearID=24">Free Range</a>.<br /></p>

<p>As well as the UAL Origins Best in Show Award, Jordan was also recently awarded the Principal’s Commendation at his end of year show for his photographic series, <a href="http://www.blurb.co.uk/b/7984232-kevin">Kevin</a>, based on Plymouth’s Kevin French, known online as <a href="http://www.disabledkevin.com/">Disabled Kevin</a>, and his extraordinary accomplishments living with cerebral palsy.</p>

<p>Speaking on the Extended Diploma results day, Jordan said: “I chose to study at Plymouth College of Art because I wanted a change in education. Instead of taking A-Levels at secondary school, at a time when I barely knew what career I wanted, I chose to study photography, which was a hobby at the time that I wanted to explore further.</p> <p>"Now, at the end of my course, I’ve found my career path. I want to be a documentary photographer."</p>

<p>"My advice, for students considering studying a creative Extended Diploma, is don’t hold yourself back. If you want a career in the arts, I don’t think a traditional sixth form would get you where you wanted to be. If you want to work in the arts, definitely come to Palace Court. There are loads of resources, space and knowledgeable minds here. Use them.</p> <p>"I won a Principal’s Commendation for my final photographic project at our Pre-Degree Summer Show and then found out that I’d won a national award at the UAL Origins exhibition. I’ve put in a lot of hard work and it seems to really be paying off."</p>

<p><strong>Plymouth College of Art will be holding GCSE Results Drop-in sessions at Palace Court on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 August between 10am and 3pm, for September 2017 entry.</strong></p> <p>Aimed primarily at students receiving their GCSE results, the drop-in sessions will offer opportunities for students to see the dedicated pre-degree space firsthand, chat to teaching staff and take part in interviews to help choose the right creative pathway for each student.</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/open-days" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book onto one of our Open Days.</a></strong></li><li><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/virtual-tours?gclid=Cj0KCQiA4L2BBhCvARIsAO0SBdYJD-ywzFLg41ejx1xQHnNbKJwN6dfpOy44a0ewt-w0kQFKpEfvwPcaAmU7EALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Take a virtual tour around the Palace Court campus</a></li><li><a href="https://www.plymouthart.ac.uk/about-us/our-campus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find out more about Palace Court</a></li><li><a href="https://vimeo.com/189288955">Watch a short film following students arriving for the first day at Palace Court</a></li></ul>