Previous Knowledge
Whilst the course is designed so that it can be taken without any previous knowledge, it is desirable that those students who wish to study the Visual Arts at Standard Level have gained at least a grade C in Art and Design (or an equivalent Art course) at GCSE level, and students who wish to study at Higher Level have gained a grade B or above. Students who have not studied the Visual Arts immediately before Diploma level, or who do not achieve the desired grades and who wish to study Visual Arts, will only gain access to the course after an interview with the IB Coordinator and the Subject Leader of Visual Arts to assess their suitability. (see ‘Who is IB Diploma Programme for?’)

Visual Arts (SL and HL)
The aim of the Visual Arts course is to enable students to produce meaningful, creative work allowing flexibility and exposure in various expressive media. Each student will pursue an independent theme referencing both local and global perspectives and be encouraged to produce adventurous responses. Throughout this course students will produce a powerful body of artwork revealing their growth and commitment as an artist. Students will acquire a formal knowledge and understanding of the elements and principles of design showing technical skill and problem solving throughout their studio work. Studio work will be fully supported by the Investigation Workbook through critical and visual research showing consistent development alongside the studio practice. Students will produce unified finished pieces culminating in a strong, confident and powerful exhibition that makes a personal statement.

Visual Arts HL only
Students who wish to take the Higher Level will be expected to show evidence of a more sustained growth and commitment throughout their work as an artist. With more time allocated to those students taking the Higher Level, a more mature and in-depth response and a larger body of work is expected than those students taking the Standard Level option.

Assessment
Over the two-year course the students are assessed as follows:

Option A (HLA) – Higher Level  240  hours Studio Work  60% Investigation Workbook 40%	Option A (SLA) – Standard Level  150 hours Studio Work  60 % Investigation Workbook 40%
Option B (HLB) – Higher Level  240 hours  Investigation Workbook  60% Studio Work (40%)	Option B (SLB) – Standard Level 150 hours Investigation Workbook  60% Studio Work 40%

Studio Work involves practical exploration and artistic production and is produced over the two years which culminates in an exhibition and an interview with an external examiner. Students are expected to produce a comprehensive body of work demonstrating growth and commitment addressing the IB assessment criteria.
The Investigation Workbook involves independent, contextual, visual and critical investigation and it is to be completed alongside the Studio Work; close integration between the Studio Work and the Investigation Workbook is essential. This is internally assessed by the tutors and passed onto the external examiner, which informs the interview process.

SL and HL students may wish to use their portfolio of work completed during their IB course to pursue taking a university or college Visual Arts course.