HSDC Havant’s Art & Design department has marked another exceptional milestone in its commitment to aspiration, technical excellence and employer-informed education, following an immersive week of industry experience for students across A Level Art and A Level Graphics. Through exclusive partnerships with leading Higher Education providers, including the Winchester School of Art (University of Southampton) and the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Farnham, students gained direct access to university-level expertise, industry-standard practice and real-world creative expectations.
This specialist week formed a core part of HSDC’s mission to provide students with a variety of options and opportunities for when they finish their courses, as well as imbuing them with a high-calibre creative education and a mindset to thrive.
Chris Cook, Course Lead for Fine Art A Level and Graphic Communication A Level, spoke proudly about the links with local universities and how they enrich the learning experience for Havant’s students:
“I am delighted to continue to forge close links with our colleagues in Higher education through offering practical ‘workshop’ insights into potential future pathways, supporting our students to understand the wealth of opportunity within creative industries.”
Students took part in an architectural typography workshop led by Jodie Silsby from the Winchester School of Art, exploring typeface creation, character development and the design processes that underpin contemporary typography. This session mirrored the rigour and conceptual thinking of undergraduate design programmes, giving learners a genuine taste of higher-level creative study.
Similarly, Kate Street from UCA Farnham delivered a specialist workshop on meaningful reflective practice, teaching students how to analyse and articulate their work through the same frameworks used in university studios. This gave learners a unique competitive advantage by building reflective and evaluative skills that are increasingly essential for creative portfolios and professional briefs.
These strong collaborations demonstrate HSDC’s dedication to connecting students with genuine industry methods, strengthening the transition from FE to HE and beyond. The workshops also gave the students a competitive advantage, building their confidence and fluency in the processes central to both university entry and modern creative careers.
During the week, these students were also given the opportunity to look at HSDC’s range of internal progression options.
Paul Parsons from South Downs Campus introduced Havant’s students to the Level 4 Creative Enterprise Course, a dynamic programme that blends artistic development with an applied understanding of business. Emma Plato presented the Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, which focuses on portfolio development, employability and creative exploration.
Both of these courses, offered at HSDC’s South Downs Campus, highlight the College’s commitment to supporting students with whatever they decide to pursue at the end of their Level 3 qualification.
This week was not just a timetable of workshops, but a powerful expression of HSDC’s mission to deliver aspiration and opportunity through employer engagement and exclusive university partnerships.