GCSE ART AND DESIGN (8201, 8202, 8203, 8204, 8205, 8206) - Specification For Teaching From September 2016 Onwards - For GCSE Exams In 2018 Onwards

Oct 20, 2026

Specification for GCSE Art and Design qualification codes 8201–8206, with an intended teaching start from September 2016 and assessment for GCSE exams from 2018 onwards. Sets out the qualification’s purpose, learning and skills approach, progression links from Key Stage 3 and compatibility with A-level Art and Design objectives. Explains two-component structure (Portfolio and externally set assignment), subject content areas such as fine art, graphic communication, textile and 3D design, photography, and the scheme of assessment including aims, assessment objectives, criteria, and administration for non-exam assessment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages42

Reading Time1 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Why choose AQA for GCSE Art and Design

Support and resources to help you teach

Specification at a glance

Subject content

Assessments

Component details

Subject content

Knowledge and understanding

Skills

Titles

Art, craft and design

Fine art

Graphic communication

Textile design

Three-dimensional design

Photography

Progression

Scheme of assessment

Aims and learning outcomes

Assessment objectives

Assessment criteria

Assessment weightings

Non-exam assessment administration

Supervising and authenticating

Avoiding malpractice

Teacher standardisation

Internal standardisation

Commenting

Submitting marks

Factors affecting individual students

Keeping students' work

Moderation

After moderation

General administration

Entries and codes

Overlaps with other qualifications

Awarding grades and reporting results

Resits and shelf life

Previous learning and prerequisites

Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion

Working with AQA for the first time

Private candidates

| GCSE
ART AND DESIGN
(8201, 8202, 8203, 8204, 8205, 8206) | | --- | | Specification
For teaching from September 2016 onwards For GCSE exams in 2018 onwards | Version 1.2 1 February 2026 Contents 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Art and Design 5 1.2 Support and resources to help you teach 6 2 Specification at a glance 9 2.1 Subject content 9 2.2 Assessments 9 2.3 Component details 10 3 Subject content 13 3.1 Knowledge and understanding 13 3.2 Skills 14 3.3 Titles 15 3.4 Art, craft and design 16 3.5 Fine art 17 3.6 Graphic communication 18 3.7 Textile design 20 3.8 Three-dimensional design 21 3.9 Photography 23 3.10 Progression 25 4 Scheme of assessment 27 4.1 Aims and learning outcomes 27 4.2 Assessment objectives 28 4.3 Assessment criteria 28 4.4 Assessment weightings 34 5 Non-exam assessment administration 35 5.1 Supervising and authenticating 35 5.2 Avoiding malpractice 35 5.3 Teacher standardisation 36 5.4 Internal standardisation 36 5.5 Commenting 37 5.6 Submitting marks 37 5.7 Factors affecting individual students 37 5.8 Keeping students' work 37 5.9 Moderation 37 5.10 After moderation 38 6 General administration 39 6.1 Entries and codes 39 [Visit](Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8201](Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration 3 6.2 Overlaps with other qualifications 40 6.3 Awarding grades and reporting results 40 6.4 Resits and shelf life 40 6.5 Previous learning and prerequisites 40 6.6 Access to assessment: diversity and inclusion 40 6.7 Working with AQA for the first time 41 6.8 Private candidates 41 Are you using the latest version of this specification? • You will always find the most up-to-date version of this specification on our website at [aqa.org.uk/8201](aqa.org.uk/8201) • We will write to you if there are significant changes to the specification. [4](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification)[ Visit](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification)[ ](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification)[aqa.org.uk/8201](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification)[ for the most up-to-date specification](4 Visit aqa.org.uk/8201 for the most up-to-date specification), resources, support and administration 1 Introduction 1.1 Why choose AQA for GCSE Art and Design Vibrant and dynamic, this specification will give you the freedom to teach GCSE Art and Design in ways that inspire and bring out the best in all your students, whilst equipping them with the skills to continue the subject with confidence at AS, A-level and beyond. The qualification features a wide range of titles including Art, craft and design, Fine art, Graphic communication, Textile design, Three-dimensional design and Photography. The flexibility of its design means you can tailor your course to your students’ interests and your school’s strengths. You can find out about all our Art and Design [qualifications at](qualifications at aqa.org.uk/art-and-design)[ ](qualifications at aqa.org.uk/art-and-design)[aqa.org.uk/art-and-design](qualifications at aqa.org.uk/art-and-design) A specification designed for you and your students We have worked closely with teachers to design our specification to inspire, challenge and motivate every student, no matter what their level of ability, while supporting you in developing creative and engaging lessons. The qualification provides scope for innovation and curriculum development and offers you opportunities to tailor courses of study to the individual needs of your students. With two components, comprising a ‘Portfolio’ selected from the course of study and

FAQs

What are the qualification components for GCSE Art and Design (8201–8206)?

The specification uses two components: a Portfolio selected from the course of study and an externally set assignment.

What subject areas are included within the GCSE Art and Design course content?

It includes titles covering art, craft and design, fine art, graphic communication, textile design, three-dimensional design, and photography.

How does non-exam assessment administration address standards and integrity?

It outlines supervising and authenticating, avoiding malpractice, teacher and internal standardisation, commenting, submitting marks, moderation, and actions after moderation.

Oct 20, 2026

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