Qualification
Accredited
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A LEVEL
Specification
ART AND
DESIGN
H600–H606
For first assessment in 2017
Version 1.5 (February 2023) ocr.org.uk/alevelartanddesign
,Disclaimer Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all
documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the
specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at
all times. Where changes are made to specifications these will be indicated within
the document, there will be a new version number indicated, and a summary
of the changes. If you do notice a discrepancy between the specification and a
resource please contact us at:
We will inform centres about changes to specifications. We will also publish
changes on our website. The latest version of our specifications will always be
those on our website (ocr.org.uk) and these may differ from printed versions.
Registered office:
The Triangle Building © 2023 OCR. All rights reserved.
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge Copyright
CB2 8EA OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications.
However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this
OCR is an exempt charity. specification booklet for their own internal use.
Oxford Cambridge and RSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in
England. Registered company number 3484466.
, Contents
Introducing… A Level Art and Design specifications (from September 2015) ii
Teaching and learning resources iii
Professional development iv
1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Art and Design? 1
1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Art and Design? 2
1c. What are the key features of this specification suite? 3
1d. How do I find out more information? 3
2 The specification overview 4
2a. Overview of A Level in Art and Design (H600-H606) 4
2b. Content of A Level in Art and Design (H600-H606) 5
2c. Core Content of A Level in Art and Design 8
2c. Summary of Specialisms and related Areas of Study 11
2c(i). Content of Art, Craft and Design: Combined Specialisms (H600) 14
2c(ii). Content of Art and Design: Fine Art (H601) 16
2c(iii). Content of Art and Design: Graphic Communication (H602) 18
2c(iv). Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) 20
2c(v). Content of Art and Design: Textile Design (H604) 22
2c(vi). Content of Art and Design: Three-Dimensional Design (H605) 24
2c(vii). Content of Art and Design: Critical and Contextual Studies (H606) 26
2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression 28
3 Assessment of OCR A Level in Art and Design 29
3a. Forms of assessment 29
3b. Assessment objectives (AO) 30
3c. Total qualification time 30
3d. Assessment availability 30
3e. Retaking the qualification 30
3f. Assessment of extended responses 31
3g. Non exam assessment – Marking criteria 31
3h. Synoptic assessment 37
3i. Calculating qualification results 37
4 Admin: what you need to know 38
4a. Pre-assessment 38
4b. Accessibility and special consideration 40
4c. Non exam assessment 40
4d. Results and certificates 42
4e. Post-results services 42
4f. Malpractice 42
5 Appendices 43
5a. Overlap with other qualifications 43
5b. Avoidance of bias 43
5c. Carry forward entry codes 44
Summary of updates 45
Version 1.5 © OCR 2023
A Level in Art and Design i
, Introducing… A Level Art and Design specifications (from September 2015)
The OCR A Level Art and Design specifications are • An understanding of the interrelationships
designed to encourage learners to develop skills, between art, craft and design processes
creativity, imagination and independence based and an awareness of the contexts in which
on personal experience, taught skills and critical they operate.
understanding. Learners show this through their
responses to a range of stimuli. Contact the team
The aims and learning outcomes for these We have a dedicated team of people working on our
qualifications are to enable learners to develop: A Level Art and Design qualifications.
• Intellectual, imaginative, creative and Find out more about our Art and Design team at
intuitive capabilities ocr.org.uk/alevelartanddesign.
• Investigative, analytical, experimental, If you need specialist advice, guidance or support, get
practical, technical and expressive skills, in touch as follows:
aesthetic understanding and critical
• 01223 553998
judgement
• Independence of mind in developing, • art&
refining and communicating their own • @OCR_arts
ideas, their own intentions and their own
personal outcomes
• The experience of working with a broad
range of media
Version 1.5 © OCR 2023
ii A Level in Art and Design
Accredited
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
A LEVEL
Specification
ART AND
DESIGN
H600–H606
For first assessment in 2017
Version 1.5 (February 2023) ocr.org.uk/alevelartanddesign
,Disclaimer Specifications are updated over time. Whilst every effort is made to check all
documents, there may be contradictions between published resources and the
specification, therefore please use the information on the latest specification at
all times. Where changes are made to specifications these will be indicated within
the document, there will be a new version number indicated, and a summary
of the changes. If you do notice a discrepancy between the specification and a
resource please contact us at:
We will inform centres about changes to specifications. We will also publish
changes on our website. The latest version of our specifications will always be
those on our website (ocr.org.uk) and these may differ from printed versions.
Registered office:
The Triangle Building © 2023 OCR. All rights reserved.
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge Copyright
CB2 8EA OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications.
However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this
OCR is an exempt charity. specification booklet for their own internal use.
Oxford Cambridge and RSA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in
England. Registered company number 3484466.
, Contents
Introducing… A Level Art and Design specifications (from September 2015) ii
Teaching and learning resources iii
Professional development iv
1 Why choose an OCR A Level in Art and Design? 1
1a. Why choose an OCR qualification? 1
1b. Why choose an OCR A Level in Art and Design? 2
1c. What are the key features of this specification suite? 3
1d. How do I find out more information? 3
2 The specification overview 4
2a. Overview of A Level in Art and Design (H600-H606) 4
2b. Content of A Level in Art and Design (H600-H606) 5
2c. Core Content of A Level in Art and Design 8
2c. Summary of Specialisms and related Areas of Study 11
2c(i). Content of Art, Craft and Design: Combined Specialisms (H600) 14
2c(ii). Content of Art and Design: Fine Art (H601) 16
2c(iii). Content of Art and Design: Graphic Communication (H602) 18
2c(iv). Content of Art and Design: Photography (H603) 20
2c(v). Content of Art and Design: Textile Design (H604) 22
2c(vi). Content of Art and Design: Three-Dimensional Design (H605) 24
2c(vii). Content of Art and Design: Critical and Contextual Studies (H606) 26
2d. Prior knowledge, learning and progression 28
3 Assessment of OCR A Level in Art and Design 29
3a. Forms of assessment 29
3b. Assessment objectives (AO) 30
3c. Total qualification time 30
3d. Assessment availability 30
3e. Retaking the qualification 30
3f. Assessment of extended responses 31
3g. Non exam assessment – Marking criteria 31
3h. Synoptic assessment 37
3i. Calculating qualification results 37
4 Admin: what you need to know 38
4a. Pre-assessment 38
4b. Accessibility and special consideration 40
4c. Non exam assessment 40
4d. Results and certificates 42
4e. Post-results services 42
4f. Malpractice 42
5 Appendices 43
5a. Overlap with other qualifications 43
5b. Avoidance of bias 43
5c. Carry forward entry codes 44
Summary of updates 45
Version 1.5 © OCR 2023
A Level in Art and Design i
, Introducing… A Level Art and Design specifications (from September 2015)
The OCR A Level Art and Design specifications are • An understanding of the interrelationships
designed to encourage learners to develop skills, between art, craft and design processes
creativity, imagination and independence based and an awareness of the contexts in which
on personal experience, taught skills and critical they operate.
understanding. Learners show this through their
responses to a range of stimuli. Contact the team
The aims and learning outcomes for these We have a dedicated team of people working on our
qualifications are to enable learners to develop: A Level Art and Design qualifications.
• Intellectual, imaginative, creative and Find out more about our Art and Design team at
intuitive capabilities ocr.org.uk/alevelartanddesign.
• Investigative, analytical, experimental, If you need specialist advice, guidance or support, get
practical, technical and expressive skills, in touch as follows:
aesthetic understanding and critical
• 01223 553998
judgement
• Independence of mind in developing, • art&
refining and communicating their own • @OCR_arts
ideas, their own intentions and their own
personal outcomes
• The experience of working with a broad
range of media
Version 1.5 © OCR 2023
ii A Level in Art and Design
