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Fine Art (Tattoo Illustration)

  • Higher National Diploma
  • 1 Years
  • Full-Time
  • September 2027
  • Undergraduate
Kingston College
Awarded by:
Pearson Education Ltd
More about South Thames College Group (inc Carshalton, South Thames and Kingston College)

Course options

2025-20262026-20272027-2028
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Course summary

The HND Tattoo course builds on the foundational skills developed in the HNC programme, offering students an advanced pathway to refine their artistry and professional practice. This higher-level qualification enables students to further develop their unique artistic style and tattoo techniques, expanding their portfolio with more complex and diverse designs.

Students deepen their understanding of tattoo history, culture, and contemporary trends, while enhancing their digital design skills with advanced software applications. The course includes practical experience through industry placements or live client projects, helping students develop advanced business skills for managing a tattoo studio or freelance career. By the end of the programme, graduates will have a comprehensive, unique portfolio demonstrating their readiness for professional practice or progression to higher education.

The dedicated professional lecturing team offer industry level training in a wide range of practical and theoretical areas to ensure you are well prepared for progression onto higher education or into industry. You will work in our dedicated Creative Industries Centre and have access to specialist equipment.

During the course, learners will develop a portfolio of work ready for gaining apprenticeship. The course will enhance design and illustration skills and help build a business plan.

Modules

Course Modules

Units studied include:

•Professional Practice
•Contextual studies
•Techniques & Processes
•Typography
•Graphic Design Practices
•Art/Craft Production
•Surface Design

Please note that at no time will this course involve tattooing onto skin as this is only appropriate after a formal industry placement is completed. There will, however, be appropriate alternatives used throughout this course.

Assessment method

The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

All assessments are spread across the year to make the workload manageable. The course work will be based on practical demonstration of skills as delivered by the lecturers.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Kingston College

Study options

  • Higher National Diploma • Full-Time • 1 Years

Start dates

  • September 2027

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
KC04
Institution code:
K82
Campus name:
Kingston College
Points of Entry:
Year 1

South Thames College Group (inc Carshalton, South Thames and Kingston College) has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

This course has limited vacancies, and is no longer accepting applications from some students. See the list below for where you normally live, to check if you're eligible to apply.
  • Republic of Ireland
  • International
  • EU
  • United Kingdom

Apply by
13 January 2027

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
KC04
Institution code:
K82
Campus name:
Kingston College

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
DD

In Art, or related subjects.

HNC (BTEC)

Applicants must possess a Level 4 HNC Art and Design in order to be considered for this course. A copy of your HNC module transcripts will be requested, and the original required to be seen at enrolment. If you don't already have a relevant HNC, you'll take the two-year course and start at HNC (Level 4).

UCAS Tariff
Offer: 48

Access to HE Diploma
Pass: 45

GCSE/National 4/National 5

To include English Language and Mathematics grade C/4 or above (or level 2 equivalent).

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Offer: 24

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
PPP

In Art and Design, or related subjects.

Additional entry requirements

Interview
Suitably qualified applicants will be invited to interview at the College, where they will be required to further demonstrate their suitability for the course. In limited circumstances, we may be able to offer online or phone interviews.
Portfolio
All applicants to this course are required to submit a creative portfolio of their own work. The purpose of the portfolio submission is to evaluate your development as a creator and assess your ability to do well on the course. We look for evidence of the basic technical and cognitive skills you'll need to succeed.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6An overall band score of 6.0, with none of the four skills below 5.5.
Cambridge English AdvancedLevel B2B2 First, formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE).

Students from outside the UK may be required to demonstrate their level of English by providing proof of an English language certificate or other qualification. This is particularly the case where a student: • is from a country where English is not an official/first language, or; • has previous qualifications which include English as a second language, or; • has previous qualifications which have not been studied through the medium of English. The approximate guideline minimum English level required for entry at level 5 is "B2" on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This roughly equates to: • IELTS - an overall band score of 6.0, with none of the four skills below 5.5, or; • B2 First, formerly known as Cambridge English: First (FCE) **Please note that other English language certificates/qualifications are available, and may be considered, and the College looks at each applicant on an individual basis.**

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & EU£6000

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Related courses

At South Thames College Group (inc Carshalton, South Thames and Kingston College)

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