Art & Design

Our art department provides an invaluable introduction to learning in a way that promotes individual creativity and encourages the development of self-directed studio practices: when studying with us you will have access to your studio 5 days a week.

Our courses embed the processes of research, investigation and development through both practical and written tasks that will support a wide range of creative skills.  These are explored through project-based learning which reinforces the connection and interaction between all aspects of our courses.

A current student said: "The course offers a good ratio of freedom, guidance and feedback, to gain more confidence in art and design."

The NQ is the first stage of learning to develop the skills required to create a portfolio for progression to HNC Art Portfolio Production. From our HNC 100% of students have achieved multiple art college offers, many with direct entry to 2nd year.  This is unique to West Lothian College.

We also provide options for schools pupils to experience the benefits of studying art at college through our evening class and Friday afternoon folio class.

Our former students work in a range of areas including community arts, teaching, art residencies, animation, graphic design, fashion, illustration, publishing, visual effects and TV, curatorial, gallery and museum work, conservation, museum and gallery archiving, marketing, web design, as well as a number of self-employment roles and commissioned work.

Did you know that 100% of our students who apply to higher education, have been securing art school and university places for the past eight years.

In 2023 alone, every student had more than three offers across the four main Scottish art schools, and several were offered direct entry to year 2 at Glasgow School of Art and Gray’s School of Art.