'Best'/Highest rated unis for Graphic Design/Creative Digital Technology/Graphic Communication...

[Tansie1]

Where is a good source for the objective evaluation of the various courses?

What questions should DS be asking himself?

I know loads of ex-Polys do this, and some RG, but DS doesn't appear to know where to begin to research which courses are well rated.

His predicteds are A Graphic Design A2; D D* for his Creative Digital Technology BTEC; and hopefully a B or A in AS Geography. This equals 168 UCAS points without the Geog, 208 with a B in Geog.

It would be fair to say he is aiming high....

Can anyone help guide him? Many thanks.

[ComfortablyGlum]

Ex Graphic Designer here. Tbh, in that industry no one could give a hoot where you studied - it’s all about portfolio. When interviewing, we would only ever base our hires on their work...where they studied was largely irrelevant.

However, networking, familiarity with agencies and being taught by people who have recently worked in the field are all things to consider as important.

My DD is doing an arts course (not Graphic Design but similar) and has chosen a London Uni as they work from year 1 hand in hand with industry professionals. It’s not uncommon for students to be sponsored early on and / or mentored by industry experts. Being in London meant she was in the heart of where this sector is based and it made it an obvious front runner. She was accepted on a portfolio and team building style interview.

Ideally your son needs to know what field of graphic design he is interested in - for example advertising would be better suited to a large city uni. If he is more geared to setting up his own studio, a 4 year course with a masters might be worth a look.

Some advice we were given - never consider a course that doesn’t do portfolio interviews. Look for uni stats that show graduate success rates in getting a job and also get some recommendations from The Student Room forums.

In my day, the University of East Anglia had a very good rep for Graphic Design. We are talking mid 90s though!

[titchy]

Didn't you post about this before? If not someone else did and received lots of advice - advanced search!

[Tansie1]

Oh, I'll have a look! Thanks!

[Tansie1]

Glum -thanks for your input!

[titchy]

It was your thread! 24 May.

[Tansie1]

Well done! Thank you! I trawled through trying to find it yesterday with no luck (my 'threads I'm on weirdly drops everything if I haven't posted for 48 hours...)

[Tansie1]

Well, bit of an update- it turns out most of the prestigious art units want a Foundation Diploma! Back in my day you did that if your qualifications weren't good enough to go straight into the degree!

[titchy]

The Art foundation has always been a thing! It's not new at all. It's for applicants who don't have enough of a portfolio for admission.

[BubblesBuddy]

I am very surprised there is no course that will take directly from A levels/BTec. They will want a portfolio but that’s not impossible with his studies. I would look a bit more. DD did a different area but wasn’t required to do a Foundation and got offers.

[BubblesBuddy]

A quick look shows Loughborough, Reading and Oxford Brooks ask for A level or BTec. Where have you looked?

[Tansie1]

Central Station Martin's, Other UAL unis ( e.g. Ravensbourne); University of the Arts, Bournemouth, Falmouth Uni, Edinburgh.

Tiffany I was labouring under the same misapprehension re Foundation only being for weaker candidates.

There are of course plenty of unis that don't 'demand' Foundation on top of A levels and BTECs, but 'the biggies' do, it seems.

[BubblesBuddy]

Which universities are the biggies? I think a pp said it didn’t matter where the degree was from.

[BubblesBuddy]

Sorry - I assume the biggies are the ones you list. Chelsea takes 2 A levels and Central St Martins will consider you if the portfolio is as good as someone from a foundation course. Falmouth definitely takes A levels. I’m not sure where you are getting your info from. In fact Loughborough asks for 3 A levels. Academically, that’s the hardest and they want good grades too.