Creative Pre-Degree students celebrate results day 2026 in Plymouth

<p dir="ltr">At Arts University Plymouth, <strong>70% of UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma students achieved a Merit or Distinction in 2026</strong>, including <strong>34% who achieved the top grade of Distinction</strong>. This places Arts University Plymouth above the national benchmark for Distinctions once again. A Distinction carries 168 UCAS points, equivalent to the tariff awarded for three A*s at A-Level.</p> <p dir="ltr">A total of 88% of Extended Diploma students intend to progress into higher education or apprenticeships, including 17% who plan to take a gap year before progressing.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>UAL Foundation Diploma in Art &amp; Design students also achieved strong results, with 44% awarded a Distinction</strong>. Overall, 91% intend to progress into higher education, including 19% planning to take a gap year first.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Among the students receiving their results are KJ Kingston, Matty Kitson and India Robins, whose next steps span games and animation, creative and therapeutic arts, and fashion communication.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>KJ Kingston</strong>, aged 19 and from Plymouth, has achieved a Distinction on the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design">Art &amp; Design pathway</a> of the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice. KJ plans to continue at Arts University Plymouth this September, studying <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-game-arts-animation">BA (Hons) Game Arts &amp; Animation</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">KJ said: “I used to come to the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/young-arts">National Saturday Club</a> at Arts University Plymouth when I was younger. When I started Pre-Degree, the environment felt calm. I fitted in easily, found my own routine and made a group of friends who have made me so much happier.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I learnt new techniques, found my own style and realised that digital artwork is what I want to carry on with. I’ve loved games and animation since primary school. Instead of only watching and playing, I thought, ‘What if I could do it myself and see my own characters in those games?’”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Matty Kitson</strong>, aged 18 and from Looe, has achieved a Merit on the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-fashion-textiles">Fashion &amp; Textiles pathway</a> of the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice. Matty plans to study Creative and Therapeutic Arts at the University of South Wales in Pontypridd.</p> <p dir="ltr">Matty said: “I’d never done textiles before, but I took it at GCSE and absolutely loved it. I came to Arts University Plymouth for a Fashion &amp; Textiles workshop on a school trip, heard about Pre-Degree and thought, ‘I have to do it.’</p> <p dir="ltr">“Starting was nerve-racking because it takes me time to build up my confidence, but everyone is so friendly. Once you find your routine, it’s an easy transition. I loved the end-of-year fashion show and seeing what everybody had created; being in a place where everyone makes art makes you more motivated.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I also explored interior design and mixed media, which helped me find my strengths and weaknesses. I’ve always wanted to do something creative and I really enjoy helping people, so Creative and Therapeutic Arts sounds like the best of both worlds: I can work with people and make art as well.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>India Robins</strong>, aged 18, from Ivybridge and originally from Guernsey, has achieved a Distinction on the<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design"> Art &amp; Design pathway</a> of the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice. India plans to study Fashion Communication &amp; Industry Practice at Vogue College of Fashion in London.</p> <p dir="ltr">India said: “I didn’t think A-Levels were for me; I wanted to focus on what I was good at. I visited Arts University Plymouth twice before moving from Guernsey to Devon, and I loved the environment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Pre-Degree is very independent and the teachers are really great. You have the freedom to figure out what you want to do, with no pressure to stay in one direction. In my second year, lecturer Jenny Evans gave a talk about fashion media and marketing. I thought, ‘This is what I want to do,’ so I chose it as my specialism.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For my first photoshoot, I styled my friends and put jewellery on them. I’d never used a camera before, so a photography friend helped me. I loved it and was really happy with how it turned out. I’d love to work for a big fashion company, taking their pictures and styling.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">The results follow a strong year of creative work by Pre-Degree students across photography, film, art, design, fashion and textiles.</p> <p dir="ltr">Photography student<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/oscar-black-young-apoy-photography-prize"> Oscar Black</a> won the Open round of the Young APOY competition with <em>Silent Reflection</em>, a black-and-white portrait praised for its lighting, sensitivity and meditative quality.</p> <p dir="ltr">Oscar was also named overall winner of the<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/plymouth-student-ocean-photography-ocean-conservation-trust"> Ocean Conservation Trust’s annual student photography project</a>. His images were published in <em>The Ocean Conservationist</em> and exhibited at the National Marine Aquarium alongside work by seven fellow students.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the 2026 end-of-year show, students presented final projects spanning wildlife photography, filmmaking, visual effects, interior design, painting and fashion shaped by the landscape of Dartmoor. Megan Cowie and Oscar Black received the principal Pre-Degree awards, while Ella-Grace Collins and Millie Swinburne were highly commended.</p> <p dir="ltr">Former Pre-Degree Fashion &amp; Textiles student Kiki Fraikue, who later graduated from BA (Hons) Fashion Design, also designed artwork for<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-fashion-graduate-kiki-fraikue-arsenal-n7-firepower"> Arsenal Football Club’s N7 Firepower collection</a>, demonstrating one of the professional routes that can begin with specialist creative study after GCSEs.<br /></p>

<p>A UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma can prepare students for higher education, an apprenticeship or employment. Equivalent in size to three A-Levels, the two-year qualification enables students to specialise in a creative subject after completing their GCSEs.</p> <p>At Arts University Plymouth, students can specialise in Art &amp; Design; Fashion &amp; Textiles; Filmmaking &amp; Media Production; Graphics, Illustration &amp; Game Arts; or Photography. Practical projects, technical workshops, professional briefs and public exhibitions help students develop the skills and portfolios needed for their next steps.</p> <p dir="ltr">The creative industries are a significant and growing part of the UK economy. According to<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skills-england-annual-skills-report-and-sectoral-skills-needs-assessments-2026/sector-skills-needs-assessment-creative-industries"> Skills England’s 2026 assessment of the sector</a>, they contributed more than £146 billion to the economy and employed 2.4 million people in 2024. Skills England projects that employment in 30 priority occupations within the creative industries will grow by 416,000, or 27%, between 2025 and 2035. It expects 81% of this additional employment to require qualifications at level 4 or above.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Johnny Smeaton, Head of Pre-Degree at Arts University Plymouth, said:</strong> “Results day is a chance to celebrate two years of ambitious creative work. These grades matter, but what stands out just as clearly is how students have learnt to test ideas, find their own direction and make confident decisions about what comes next.</p> <p dir="ltr">“KJ, Matty and India’s routes show the breadth of futures that specialist creative study can open up. Across the wider cohort, students are progressing to universities, apprenticeships and employment with strong portfolios and a clearer understanding of themselves as creative practitioners. We are incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth’s Pre-Degree provision was rated Ofsted Good in 2023.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Students receiving their GCSE results on Thursday 20 August 2026 can find information about <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/pre-degree">Pre-Degree courses, entry requirements and applications</a> online.</p> <p dir="ltr">Applications are still open for a limited number of places at Arts University Plymouth beginning in September 2026, at all levels of study.<br /></p>