Visual Arts FAQs

The course content for higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) students is similar.

The main difference is that HL students have more time and opportunity to investigate in depth, develop ideas, and refine skills/ outcomes. Furthermore, HL students are expected to submit a larger body of work than SL students.

The minimum prescribed number of hours is 150 for SL and 240 for HL

Task 1: Comparative study (20%)

• Students analyse and compare different artworks by different artists. This independent critical and contextual investigation explores artworks, objects and artifacts from differing cultural contexts.

At SL: Compare at least 3 different artworks, by at least 2 different artists, with commentary over 10–15 pages.

At HL: As SL plus a reflection on the extent to which their work and practices have been influenced by any of the art/artists examined (3–5 pages).

Task 2: Process portfolio (40%)

• Students submit carefully selected materials which evidence their experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of visual arts activities during the two-year course.

At SL: 9–18 pages. The submitted work should be in at least two different art-making forms.

At HL: 13–25 pages. The submitted work should be in at least three different art-making forms.

Task 3: Exhibition (40%)

• Students submit for assessment a selection of resolved artworks from their exhibition. The selected pieces should show evidence of their technical accomplishment during the visual arts course and an understanding of the use of materials, ideas and practices appropriate to visual communication.

At SL: 4–7 pieces with exhibition text for each. A curatorial rationale (400 words maximum).

At HL: 8–11 pieces with exhibition text for each. A curatorial rationale (700 words maximum)

The course is made up of 3 components:

Exhibition 40% (your final studio outcomes),

Process Portfolio (your sketchbook) and

Comparative Study (linking to art history and art work)

There is no exam. See above - The difference between SL & HL

• To learn about Art

• To explore Art processes

• To develop final pieces

• To exhibit a cohesive body of work

Yes we do accept students who have not done GCSE Art but have proven that they have a passion for the subject and willing to go that ‘extra mile’ to catch up on previous missed learning.

Many Architecture Courses at Universities seek students who ‘think out of the box’, are independent in their design brief and are able to visually articulate their ideas. Therefore a Fine Art based course such as ours is highly recommended.

You should be prepared for IB VIsual Art to be time consuming. However, working in a rich and stimulating studio environment is a wonderfully satisfying personal experience. Students often say that art balances the type of work done in other subjects and is a welcome change from the rest of the timetabled lessons.