<p>18-year-old <a href="https://www.instagram.com/frosted_derp/">Harry Tomlinson</a>, from Saltash, has completed his <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-giga">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Graphics, Illustration &amp; Game Arts</a> and achieved a Distinction. During his studies Harry has launched a <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@frosted_derp">successful TikTok account</a> featuring his animations and is planning to take on a role creating online content professionally as a result.</p> <p dir="ltr">Harry said: “I’m really excited to have got a Distinction for my studies, which gives me a lot of options about what to do next. I was doing media studies and enjoying graphic design at school in Saltash when a friend recommended that I look at the Pre-Degree &amp; Sixth Form campus at Arts University Plymouth. I had a few friends who stayed on at a traditional sixth form and ended up dropping out because it was so stressful, so I’m really glad that I chose Arts University Plymouth instead. The focus on project-based learning and assessment really suited me, helping me to grow my skills and learn. Everyone was so chilled out, compared to school it felt like a breath of fresh air.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For the first year of my studies at Arts University Plymouth I was drawing by hand, but then for Christmas last year I was given a graphics tablet that meant I could draw digitally at home, and my animations on TikTok grew from there, using the name <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@frosted_derp">FrostedDerp</a>. The best part about studying at Arts University Plymouth was the final project that I created. After it was finished, my tutor shook my hand and gave me an award for being the student who had made the most progress throughout the course.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">19-year-old Francesca Owens, who lives in Plymstock, completed a <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/foundation-diploma-in-art-and-design-post-a-level">UAL Foundation Diploma in Art &amp; Design</a> at Arts University Plymouth’s Pre-Degree &amp; Sixth Form campus and achieved a Distinction. She’s looking forward to progressing to study <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-costume-production">BA (Hons) Costume Production</a> at Arts University Plymouth from September.</p> <p dir="ltr">Francesca said: “I’m really happy to have achieved a Distinction and can’t wait to move onto studying Costume Production at Arts University Plymouth’s main campus. During my A-Levels I knew that I was interested in fashion and textiles but wasn’t sure what to specialise in, so my art teacher recommended that I look at the Foundation Diploma in Art &amp; Design at Arts University Plymouth. I loved it, having an experimental year in education to try out lots of different things and figure out exactly what I wanted to do next has been fantastic.</p> <p><br />“During my Foundation Diploma I’ve learned so many new skills. I particularly enjoyed things like a workshop in casting that we completed, casting household objects out of lots of different materials. Ultimately everything that I tried steered me in the direction of studying costume design further. My final project for the Foundation Diploma was the creation of a scene with two mannequins sat at a table, combining garment and costume design, set layouts and found objects. I was really happy with how it turned out and the grade that I received for it, which is helping me to progress onto a degree.<br /><br />“I looked around at a lot of other costume degrees but what stands out about Arts University Plymouth is the wide range of industry-standard equipment and facilities and that kind of open door policy, where I know that there’ll be ways to access equipment and workshops in so many areas and specialisms. Plus I love the style of teaching at Arts University Plymouth. I’m very excited about starting my degree.”</p>

<p dir="ltr">18-year-old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Photography student Emmie Widdows</a>, from Yelverton, achieved a Distinction and plans to study photography at degree-level at UWE Bristol next.</p> <p dir="ltr">Emily said: “I’m very excited, I’ve got the grades that I needed to go on to my first choice of university and I can’t wait to get started. It was during lockdown that I first really began to take an interest in photography, taking pictures of people when I was bored. I learned quickly how much I love being able to capture important moments.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I knew that I wanted to take my love of photography further, it was the facilities at Arts University Plymouth’s Pre-Degree and Sixth Form campus that really pulled me in. That and speaking to the subject leader, Tobie Loates, who has so much enthusiasm to share with students. I’d say that the highlight of my studies at Arts University Plymouth was the strong relationship that students build with our teachers. They give so much encouragement and support. I’m really glad I chose Arts University Plymouth.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">18-year-old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-famp">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Filmmaking &amp; Media Production</a> student Mia Hammond, who lives in Ivybridge and was originally from Essex, achieved a Distinction and plans to study a degree in Film &amp; TV Production at the University of Salford from September.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mia said: “I’m so happy to have earned a Distinction, which is what I was really hoping for. I’ve had such an incredible time at Arts University Plymouth and now I can’t wait for the next steps. I grew up in Essex but moved to Ivybridge around the time I was due to start secondary school. I can do very well academically but by the time I was finishing my GCSEs I felt like I needed change in the way I was being taught and like I had to take a chance and try a new learning style.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Moving to Arts University Plymouth for Pre-Degree &amp; Sixth Form study was definitely the right choice, I’ve had such a good time. I’ve learned so much at Arts University Plymouth that I wouldn’t have imagined two years ago, from technical skills like how to use a camera properly and edit sound and colour to using specialist film editing and graphic design software software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects and Audition. I feel ready now to study film and television further at university, which is something that really excites me.”</p> <p dir="ltr">18-year-old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-famp">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Filmmaking &amp; Media Production</a> student Kinga Bigos, who lives in Plymouth, achieved a Distinction and plans to stay in the city to study Marketing at degree-level.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kinga said: “I really enjoyed studying at Arts University Plymouth, the resources were really advanced and all of my teachers helped me so much. I’m excited to get a Distinction in my studies, which means that I can get into my first choice of university.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The specialist Creative Practice Level 3 Extended Diplomas delivered by Arts University Plymouth are designed and awarded by the UAL Awarding Body, which is part of the University of the Arts London (UAL). Designed in collaboration with industry and education partners, the qualifications, which are equivalent to A-Levels for 16 to 19-year-olds, are recognised by UCAS, Arts University Plymouth and other universities throughout the UK, and by employers in the creative industries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Photography students from Arts University Plymouth’s Pre-Degree &amp; Sixth Form campus recently <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/pre-degree-students-showcase-ocean-optimism-at-the-national-marine-aquarium">collaborated with the Ocean Conservation Trust </a>on a project to showcase the idea of ‘Ocean Optimism’, the results of which are currently on show in the National Marine Aquarium to tens of thousands of visitors over the summer. Earlier in the year students were also <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/pre-degree-students-develop-business-ideas-with-the-princes-trust">working with the Prince’s Trust</a> Enterprise Program to develop their business ideas and Ivybridge student Aaliyah Kempthorne <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/student-aaliyah-kempthorne-commended-by-judges-at-the-royal-opera-house">won a Commendation from judges</a> at the Royal Opera House’s national Design Challenge in May.</p> <p dir="ltr">Former Extended Diploma student Tom Bispham has <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/wembury-students-journey-from-surfer-to-social-media-expert">gone from strength to strength</a> since graduating from Arts University Plymouth, working with brands, companies and influencers that include DJ Tom Zanetti, Glastonbury Festival, MISFITS Boxing, Northcore and UN Patron of the Oceans, Lewis Pugh.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Preparing for GCSE Results Day</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If you know a school leaver receiving their GCSE results and looking to specialise in art, design, craft or digital media at Further Education (FE) level, please visit the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree">Arts University Plymouth website</a> for a full list of Level 3 courses that are now recruiting for Autumn 2023. Extended Diplomas prepare young people for success in industry and progression onto a degree at HE level, with many choosing to continue their studies at Arts University Plymouth. Contact <a href="mailto:hello@aup.ac.uk"><strong>hello@aup.ac.uk</strong></a> or call <strong>(0)1752 203402</strong> to find out more. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Clearing is open for 2023 study</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">A limited number of <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/clearing">Clearing</a> places are still available on undergraduate courses at Arts University Plymouth, starting as late as October 2023. If you want to begin a BA (Hons) degree or Foundation Diploma in Art &amp; Design this year, call Arts University Plymouth on <strong>+44 (0)1752 203402</strong> or Whatsapp on <strong>07722 744184</strong>.<br /></p>