A-level Art
At Ashbourne

Ashbourne’s Art mirrors the maturirty of university study, where expert tutors tailor their approach with each student to help develop and strenghten their own individual sense of creative thinking and making.

Ashbourne is recognised for its expertise in preparing students for entry to leading art and design degree programmes. Students receive specialist guidance on portfolio development, personal statements, and university selection, ensuring applications are strategic as well as creative. Alumni regularly progress to prestigious institutions including Central Saint Martins, Chelsea, Camberwell, Goldsmiths, The Bartlett and other top UK art schools.

Ashbourne offers spacious, light-filled art studios designed to support ambitious creative work across multiple disciplines. Students have access to professional facilities for painting, sculpture, textiles, printmaking, photography, and digital production, including specialist darkroom and print resources. This high-quality working environment allows students to produce ambitious, technically strong coursework and portfolios that meet the expectations of top art and design universities.

Studying in central London provides a distinctive and rich form of intellectual and cultural stimulation that directly enhances academic performance. Ashbourne’s location places students in constant proximity to world-class galleries, museums, exhibitions, and cultural institutions, allowing artistic ideas to be explored in real contexts rather than only in the classroom. This exposure deepens visual understanding, strengthens critical analysis, and inspires more ambitious creative work, all of which translate into higher-quality coursework, stronger written components, and improved overall grades.

Art students at Ashbourne benefit from Saturday access to the art rooms, giving them valuable additional time and space to develop their coursework and portfolios. This extended access supports students who are highly motivated, working towards competitive university applications, or managing ambitious creative projects. The ability to work independently beyond the standard timetable allows students to refine ideas, experiment confidently, and produce work of a higher standard.

To begin an application, please contact our admissions team, who will advise on the documents required. Once received, we arrange an individual appointment for interview and admissions assessments. After reviewing all elements of the application, we aim to communicate outcomes within the following days.

If you are considering a January start, we encourage you to contact our admissions team as early as possible to discuss subject availability and next steps.

Getting involved in the many clubs, activities and events the College offers is a great way to make friends, discover new passions and develop skills.

The Ashbourne Revue and the European Trip are real highlights for many students (and staff). The Revue offers the chance to showcase talents from dance, music and theatre to fashion, poetry and martial arts.

There is also a great selection of clubs featuring the successful Ashbourne Allstars football team, Bollywood dancing and Creative Writing, just to mention a few.

Located on High Street Kensington, Ashbourne offers a truly inspiring learning environment in the heart of London. Students are within walking distance of world-class museums and leading universities that host free public academic lectures. Beautiful parks, iconic architecture, and an exceptional range of global cuisine surround the college, creating a vibrant and intellectually stimulating setting that naturally complements academic ambition and curiosity.

Ashbourne attracts a diverse range of students from all over the world, accounting for around 50 different nationalities, who are keen to take advantage of the wide selection of subjects on offer and the high level of individual attention.

This makes the College an exciting place to learn with students bringing a wealth of ideas, talents and culture.

We hope every student will develop a great affection for Ashbourne and form some wonderful friendships, as most of our students do.

Please complete the fields below and a member of our team will be in contact with you shortly.

1. What makes Ashbourne’s A-level courses stand out in London?
Our students consistently achieve outstanding results, with 52% A*A in 2024–2025 and a 10-year average of 51% A*A. We rank in the top 2.5% of UK schools for Value Added, showing how much students improve from GCSE to A-level.

2. How many A-level subjects can students choose from?
Students can select from more than 25 A-level subjects, with flexible course lengths of one year, 18 months, or two years. This allows each student to create a pathway tailored to their ambitions and strengths.

3. What class sizes can students expect at Ashbourne?
Classes are typically fewer than 10 students, ensuring plenty of individual attention. This small-group teaching style allows for more engagement, feedback, and independent thinking.

4. How does Ashbourne support students outside the classroom?
Students benefit from weekly Personal Tutor meetings, subject-specific clinics, support classes, and peer mentoring. This extra support helps them stay on track academically and personally.