HND Contemporary Art Practice now available at NESCol

January 22, 2021

North East Scotland College is accepting applications for a new course in its art and design portfolio.  The two-year course, HND Contemporary Art Practice, will replace the existing HND Art and Design course which has been successfully delivered by NESCol for a number of years.

Janice Scott, Curriculum Manager for art, graphic design, textiles & photography courses at NESCol’s Aberdeen City Campus, said: “This course provides a broad visual education in Contemporary Art Practice to develop skills, knowledge and an awareness of specialist art and design disciplines. Students will have the opportunity to develop individual practice in relation to their personal interests.”

The course covers a wide range of topics including: contemporary art and design practice in 2D and 3D; public art – sculpture and 3D; contemporary digital art and painting, printing and mixed media.  Janice continued: “Students will be encouraged to research, develop, contextualise and evaluate their ideas and practice in response to their subject choices.”

Articulation options are being explored with NESCol’s partner universities to ensure that agreements are in place for the first group of students to complete the HND in summer 2023.  Janice said: “This course is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who would like to build up an advanced art and design portfolio and further develop their skills in contemporary art practice.  Students can then progress to degree level in this subject at Scottish art schools to further their experience for careers in areas such as practicing and commissioned artists, gallery curators, art technicians, public artists, teachers to lecturers and other wide ranging practices in contemporary art.”

Applicants for the course need to have one Higher qualification and will have their portfolio reviewed during an interview with a member of teaching staff at the College.  Alternatively, applicants should have an SCQF Level 6 qualification in art and design.

HND Art & Design Year 2 student Sophie Fordyce is finding her time at NESCol hugely beneficial. She said, “This in-depth learning experience is providing me with the opportunity to use my innovation, imagination and creative thinking to produce unique and exciting pieces of work whilst refining my practice. The lecturers provide incredible support and invaluable guidance whilst also allowing each student to develop their own unique body of work building on confidence, independence and individual talent.”  Sophie is working towards a career in art teaching. Some of the work she has produced during her time at college can be seen in the gallery further down this page.

Former student Kelsey Leigh Grant is now studying at Gray’s School of Art. She said, “At the age of 24, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for a course at North East Scotland College. I applied for the HND Art & Design course as I had always enjoyed art and wanted to pursue it further and see if I could make it into a career. NESCol allowed me to build my skills, knowledge and most importantly my confidence to continue onto Gray’s School of Art for a BA Honours Degree in Contemporary Art Practice. Once I have my Honours Degree, I hope to become part of the lecturing staff within NESCol, in order to pass on some of the guidance and confidence the staff at NESCol instilled into me in the two years I was there and even after I left.

I didn’t expect to get so much from my course at NESCol – confidence, the knowledge and abilities to learn and be successful and finally an excitement for the future I have never had before. NESCol really is the start of my story.”  Find out more about Kelsey Leigh’s story here.