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Creative Practice Level 6 BA (Hons)

Creative Practice Level 6 BA (Hons)

Level 6
Cheltenham Gloucester

Course Overview

Full Time
Certificate
Shortlist and Apply

This course is designed for students who wish to complete a full degree and who have already achieved a Level 5 qualification in a creative arts subject such as Graphic Design, Performing Arts, Fine Art or Music, to name just a few.

Delivered in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton, the course will support you in developing as an independent and confident creative practitioner. You will refine your individual practice, strengthen your professional portfolio and enhance your understanding of the wider creative industries.

Studying within a supportive and inclusive environment, you will benefit from the expertise of industry experienced lecturers who will guide you in producing ambitious, high-quality work. This course combines independent study, specialist tutorials and professional practice, ensuring that you are fully prepared to progress into your career upon completion of your degree.

Campus Information

Depending on the pathway you wish to embark on depends on the site you will need to apply to. Our academic team will contact you during August/September enrolment period to confirm which pathway, they are:

  • Graphics (Gloucester Campus)
  • Music (Gloucester Campus)
  • Performing Arts (Gloucester Campus)
  • Fine Art (Gloucester Campus)
  • Fashion (Cheltenham Campus)
  • Photography (Cheltenham Campus)

What you’ll learn

This course is all about developing your own creative identity and preparing for life after GC. You will continue to advance within your chosen specialism, such as Fashion or Photography, whilst also having the freedom to explore other creative areas across the department. 

You will have the opportunity to collaborate across courses, expand your technical and conceptual skill set, and undertake projects that combine multiple disciplines. For example, a Fashion student may style a live performance, design a costume, or collaborate on a professional photoshoot. Through in-depth research and critical thinking, you will develop ambitious creative work and final major project, showcasing your strengths, interests and professional direction.

Teaching is delivered through a dynamic programme of workshops, specialist tutorials, mentoring and a dedicated weekly Level 6 session, alongside subject specific sessions within your specialist area. You will learn alongside other Level 6 students from across the arts, forming a supportive Higher Education community. This collaborative environment will enable you to tap in to a wide range of skills and perspectives, broadening your knowledge and strengthening your position within the wider creative industries.

Highlights

You’ll benefit from guest speakers, industry connections, and opportunities to work on live or realistic briefs. Exciting trips and residential visits to support research and inspire you such as London, Barcelona, Berlin and Amsterdam. Our small class sizes allow for personalised support, and you’ll have access to specialist photography, fashion, art and music studios, industry standard equipment, and staff across the arts department. This course offers a university level experience in a familiar, supportive environment close to home.

Assessment

Assessment is coursework-based and focused on practical creative work, research, presentations, and portfolio development. You’ll complete a major final project that reflects your individual interests and career goals. The qualification awarded is a BA (Hons) Creative Practice Top-Up validated by the University of Wolverhampton. 

Anything else? 

You will typically attend one dedicated Level 6 session per week, alongside independent study and specialist sessions within your subject area. This flexible approach supports part-time work, freelance activity, or personal commitments. You remain part of your original specialty but can access facilities, staff expertise, and collaboration opportunities across the arts department. 

The course is suitable for students progressing directly from Level 5 or returning after a break in study. Equipment needs vary depending on your discipline, and full guidance will be provided. You’ll also have access to academic support, careers advice, wellbeing services.

  • A Level 5 qualification in a relevant creative subject (HND, Foundation Degree, or equivalent) and a portfolio. 

  • When you graduate, you can move into a wide range of creative careers, including design, fashion, media, photography, performance, arts management, freelance practice, and entrepreneurship. The degree also prepares you for postgraduate study, teacher training, or specialist professional routes. 

Shortlist and Apply

Please select the specific course you would like to apply for.

Creative Practice Level 6 BA (Hons)

What You Will Pay

Please select a course to see pricing information.

You've got ideas. Here, you'll learn how to make them happen. Whether it's fine art, graphics, interior design, music, performing arts, photography, radio or television, the creative industries are full of ways to make a living from what you love.

We're part of an elite group of the best arts and media providers in the county, with a long history of producing successful students. You'll learn alongside people who have worked in the industry, and our connections with world-renowned local artists and employers mean you'll get the kind of experience that makes you stand out. That includes live project briefs and joint events, so you'll be creating real work for real clients before you've even finished your course.

You'll also get to see the creative world first-hand. Trips are built into our courses to inspire, and in recent years our students have travelled to Amsterdam, Cannes, London, Milan, New York and Paris.

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Student Stories

Sam Sek

I did one year of sixth form, but I wanted to focus on Art and felt like I'd rather use that skill to my best and focus on things I find more interesting. We learn new skills and I like that we have multiple briefs – you don’t get burnt out and bored on one brief. You can pick one theme and really focus on that. I can put all my personal interests into the brief, so I got to design a poster for a tattoo shop in the style that I’m quite interested in.

Sam Sek

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Ysabelle Leal

I’ve always liked fashion and I knew that college would help me more than sixth form. I need to be more practical, and I knew the college course would help me a lot more than sixth form – and it did! At college you meet a lot of different people, and they inspire me in different ways. It helps me grow by seeing how other people’s minds work. That wouldn't have happened if I’d stayed in my school!

Ysabelle Leal

Fashion Level 3

Cheltenham Campus
Brianny Witts

I applied to GC to explore my creativity with the resources that they provide for their arts students. I came to an Open Evening and was very interested and excited so applied straight away. The lecturers are very good at getting the most of me. There are so many materials to choose from and print facilities. I want to be a fashion designer and my second year briefs have allowed me to tailor my work to this goal. If you’re looking to explore your talents in a friendly, well-equipped facility, apply to GC.

Brianny Witts

ART AND DESIGN, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus
Kamran Delestan

Going to college was more affordable than going to university, which really appealed to me as I didn’t want lots of debt but would be just as qualified as a university student. I chose the course as I want to be a sound engineer. I could learn more about music generally in the HNC and then specialise this year in my HND, by choosing certain modules to complete. After this course I want to do my top-up year at University of West London and specialise in live sound engineering. The college has already helped me start the application process.

Kamran Delestan

MUSIC, HNC/HND

Gloucester Campus
Crystal Francis

I started studying my A Levels but didn’t enjoy it, so decided to study fashion at GC instead. I feel much more motivated on this course as it’s something I really enjoy and I get a lot of direction from lecturers. On the course we are given a brief but have lots of freedom to do our own thing, and I really enjoy elements such as trend forecasting and marketing. I would say as long as you’re applying to something you really want to do; you’ll get what you need from studying at GC."

Crystal Francis

Extended Diploma Level 3 – Fashion

Cheltenham Campus
Tom Zheng

I did work experience at GC and really liked the vibe, the people and learned a lot. I enjoyed Level 3 Music and wanted to learn more so decided to progress onto the HND. The resources and lectures have been great. I liked the practical activities the most: playing, performing and creating compositions. My dream is to be a live performer and GC has helped me achieve that by educating me on the music business and I’m currently in negotiation with a record label.

Tom Zheng

MUSIC, HND

Gloucester Campus
Laura Ignacio

The best skill I learned at GC was the way of experimenting with everything – I learned to say yes. College really taught me that I can make anything and explore different pathways; it taught me to be adaptable and that I can learn any skill. If I don’t know skills or techniques I have the tools here to learn them really fast. I could learn about set design, and I could learn about sculpting at the same time, and I can learn about painting at the same time, and learn every single one of those skills very well.

Laura Ignacio

ART AND DESIGN - LEVEL 3

Cheltenham Campus
Vin Blick

I was in bands throughout school and did live sound engineering at local festivals and pubs with friends. I chose my course because I’m hoping to be a live sound engineer – and I’d definitely recommend college if you want to go into production or performance. I’ve formed great relationships with my lecturers and you get so much knowledge and understanding of the industry. I’ve learnt so many new skills, and got a great understanding of how to set up sound equipment, using the spaces and the equipment you have to make the best sound.

Vin Blick

MUSIC PRODUCTION, LEVEL 3

Gloucester Campus

Facilities

Art Rooms

Art Rooms

Our art rooms are spacious areas for students to explore their creativity and express themselves. Across our campus, they have large windows overlooking our campuses or the countryside while allowing natural light through. You’ll find tools and materials such as paints, brushes, canvases, sculpting clay, and other supplies with display areas for showcasing completed works of art.

Drama Room Theatre

The Taylor Theatre

Our multi-purpose studio theatre provides students with a flexible rehearsal and performance space. The theatre is equipped with a full lighting rig and a selection of modern lighting fixtures. Performances have included plays, musicals, pantomimes and concerts and we enjoy welcoming audiences to the venue and celebrating the achievements of our students for a variety of performances.

Recording and Music Studios

Recording and Music Studios

Our recording studios are fully equipped spaces for music production, featuring a control room with mixing consoles, a soundproof recording room, high-quality microphones and headphones, and recording software for students to perfect their projects.

Dance Studios

Dance Studios

Our dance studio at Gloucester Campus is designed for rehearsals and performances. Here you’ll find a sprung floor to absorb the shock and friction of movement, a full-length wall of mirrors, a ballet beam, and a sound system for music.

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Next Steps

Find out more

Check the progress of your application and find out everything you need to know about the application and enrolment process at GC.

Open Events & Campus Tours

Join us for our next event and check us out for yourself. We hold Open Evenings several times a year where you can explore our campuses, meet the teaching teams and explore life at GC.

Application FAQs

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