Creative and Visual Arts

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With our stunning landscape, it's no wonder the West Highlands is home to so many artists, designers and makers.

Student Creative Arts Festival 2023 to be announced soon!

View subject area course progression routes

Art and Design

Art and Design Portfolio NC content Male student at easel painting

Art and Design Portfolio NC

A dynamic course to help you build a portfolio and experience to apply for art college. You'll learn how to work with new processes in a range of disciplines and be taught by professional artists along the way. At the end of the year, you will showcase your work in a full-scale exhibition planned by the class.

  • Where? Portree
  • Full-time or Part-time? Full-time (18 hours per week)
  • See course details
Art and Design with Textiles NQ content Drawing done with handmade sustainable natural inks

Art and Design with Textiles NQ

Explore sketchbook development, drawing, mixed media, textiles techniques and surface decoration from interpretation of initial brief through to a professional portfolio of your work.
  • Where? Fort William
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time (1 day per week)
  • See course details
Creative Industries: Art and Design Portfolio with Textiles NC content female students screen printing

Creative Industries: Art and Design Portfolio with Textiles NC

Explore your creative side though a range of specially delivered units of study that prepare you for progression into a creative discipline of your choice.

  • Where? Fort William
  • Full-time or Part-time? Full-time (3 days per week)
  • See course details
Introduction to Sculpture NQ content Clay sculpture of head

Introduction to Sculpture NQ

Experiment with a variety of materials including wire, clay, plaster, recycled and found objects to create your own three-dimensional work

Art and Design NPA content A student flicking through a book of expressive art

Art and Design NPA

Gain practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of a range of printmaking, mixed media and illustration skills and techniques for art and design applications.

  • Where? Running in Auchtertyre, Fort William and Portree for 2023
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time (1 day per week)
  • See course details
Drawing Skills NPA content Student pencil drawing of a rhino

Drawing Skills NPA

A part-time course which allows you to gain practical and theoretical knowledge of a range of drawing skills and techniques for art and design applications. Develop your skills through practical experimentation including your local environment.

  • Where? Auchtertyre, Fort William or Portree (on rotation, not running for 2023)
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time (1 day per week)
  • See course details
Painting NPA content Girl with easel by the sea

Painting NPA

Learn creative paint techniques and colour theory and develop these into a personal painting project based on a chosen theme. A part-time course which includes a chance to exhibit and sell work at the end.

  • Where? Fort William for 2023 (Portree and Auchtertyre on future rotations)
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time (1 day per week)
  • See course details
Contemporary Art Practice HNC content A paintbrush in hand. Abstract colour.

Contemporary Art Practice HNC

Develop your artistic talent into a career. Explore the practice and context of contemporary art through drawing, painting and sculpture with up-to-date topics such as conceptual processes and digital art form.

Contemporary Art Practice HND content Close-up of painting palette knives on a painted surface

Contemporary Art Practice HND

An advanced course that develops theoretical, conceptual and practical creative skills in contemporary art practice.

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Textiles and Fashion

Introduction to Sewing Skills NQ content collage of designs, material and models dummy

Introduction to Sewing Skills NQ

If you're interested in design for fashion or textiles this part-time, practical and creative course will provide you with relevant skills in cutting, making and decoration of garments and accessories commonly used by the fashion industry.

  • Where? Fort William
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time (1 day per week)
  • See course details
Textiles HNC content HNC Textiles student work 2019-20

Textiles HNC

A creative design-led portfolio course offering experience across fashion, interior and accessory textile design. You'll develop a broad range of skills and create your own collection. With visiting lecturers and industry professionals, you'll gain exposure to the latest trends and can prepare for a degree programme or a variety of career pathways.

Textiles HND content Textiles student's work from 2019-20

Textiles HND

A highly creative, design-led course for those with a passion for designing and creating, providing you with the opportunity to explore your creative potential.

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Photography

Student Sara talks about how the Photography Higher course gave her practical skills to be confident with her camera and a qualification towards applying for art college:

Photography Higher content View of camera from behind. Scene through its lens. Yellow lights surrounding.

Photography Higher

An exciting part-time course providing you with opportunities to develop a broad range of theoretical, practical and technical skills in photography. You will also learn about the history and art of photography and apply knowledge gained in the creation of your own photographs on a range of themes.

  • Where? Broadford, Fort William, Portree
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time
  • See course details
Photography HNC content Female student sat on studio floor framing shot of spinning wheel. Plus light and equipment

Photography HNC

HNC Photography is designed for creative practitioners who want to build a solid technical and theoretical foundation in the field of contemporary photography. You will study a range different genres, developing your style and flair whilst generating an extended portfolio.

  • Where? Anywhere with an internet connection (including 3 x 1 week residentials at our Broadford Campus)
  • Full-time or Part-time? Part-time
  • See course details
Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands BA (Hons) content Female student writing with pen

Creative Writing in the Highlands and Islands BA (Hons)

This innovative degree is an opportunity to pursue your individual creativity and to equip yourself with the professionalism required to be a successful writer in your chosen field. Designed to give you a solid grounding in the creative principles of four of the main areas of creative writing: poetry, prose, playwriting and the screenplay.