Wales Β· WJECSyllabus
Visual Arts syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the Wales Visual Artssyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Endorsements and titles
Module overview β- What endorsed titles does WJEC Art and Design offer, and what does each expect?WJEC Art and Design is offered across endorsed titles, including Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design, Three-Dimensional Design and Photography, plus the broad Art, Craft and Design, which share the same assessment but set the focus of practice.12 min answer β
- What is the WJEC requirement to work with processes and media from more than one title, and how is it met?WJEC requires learners to include evidence of working with processes and media associated with more than one title, with the final resolution drawn from a single endorsed title or a combination of disciplines.12 min answer β
Recording, analysis and contextual understanding
Module overview β- How do you analyse artists and sources to show contextual and critical understanding?Analysing sources and artists means examining how and why artworks are made, using contextual and other sources critically to inform a personal direction, which is the contextual understanding at the heart of AO1.12 min answer β
- What recording and observational skills does the course assess, and how do you record well?Recording and observational skills mean capturing ideas, observations and insights first-hand in visual and other forms relevant to intentions, reflecting on them, which is the practical heart of AO3.12 min answer β
- What is the extended written element of the Personal Investigation, and how do you write a strong one?The extended written element of the Personal Investigation is a piece of continuous critical prose, between 1000 and 3000 words, exploring the contextual sources behind the practical work and integrated with it.13 min answer β
The four assessment objectives
Module overview β- What does AO1 require, and how do you evidence developing ideas through investigation?AO1 requires developing ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.12 min answer β
- What does AO2 require, and how do you evidence exploring and refining media?AO2 requires experimenting with and selecting appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.12 min answer β
- What does AO3 require, and how do you evidence recording ideas and observations?AO3 requires recording ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions in visual and other forms as work progresses, reflecting critically on work and progress.12 min answer β
- What does AO4 require, and how do you evidence a resolved, personal response?AO4 requires presenting a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language, drawing together the investigation, experimentation and recording.12 min answer β
- How are the four objectives weighted and marked, and how does internal assessment with moderation work?Each unit is marked against the four equally weighted assessment objectives using mark bands, internally assessed by the centre and externally moderated by WJEC, with weighted unit marks combining into the A* to E grade.12 min answer β
The three units
Module overview β- How is WJEC A-Level Art and Design structured, and how is the grade built from its three non-exam units?WJEC A-Level Art and Design (Wales) is a unitised, portfolio-only qualification of three non-exam units: AS Unit 1 Personal Creative Enquiry (40 percent), A2 Unit 2 Personal Investigation (36 percent) and A2 Unit 3 Externally Set Assignment (24 percent), all judged against four equally weighted assessment objectives.13 min answer β
- What is the AS Personal Creative Enquiry, and what does a strong one look like?AS Unit 1 Personal Creative Enquiry is a broad, exploratory non-exam project worth 40 percent of the A level that integrates critical, practical and theoretical work on a personally meaningful theme, assessed against all four objectives.13 min answer β
- What is the A2 Personal Investigation, how is it structured, and what does a strong one look like?A2 Unit 2 Personal Investigation is a sustained, candidate-led practical project on a self-chosen theme worth 36 percent and 160 marks, including an extended written element of 1000 to 3000 words, assessed against all four objectives.14 min answer β
- What is the A2 Externally Set Assignment, how do its two phases work, and how is it marked?A2 Unit 3 Externally Set Assignment is a non-exam unit worth 24 percent and 100 marks in which learners respond to a WJEC-set starting point through a preparatory period and a final outcome made in 15 hours of sustained focus under supervised conditions, assessed against all four objectives.13 min answer β