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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Applying for Art degrees

10 replies

notsohot · 18/08/2017 12:11

Uunexpectedly DD has received a low grade for her A level art. Fortunately her place at 'good' art college to do foundation diploma wasn't conditional on getting a good grade.
Does anyone know whether when she starts applying for degree courses her low grade at A level will mean she doesn't get shortlisted for interview? AS was an A, A'level a D.
No idea what she might apply for next year at this stage. But trying to assess how important A level grade is vs portfolio. TIA.

OP posts:

Kez100 · 18/08/2017 12:24

I would think the portfolio and foundation predicted grade would trump the A level and her performance at interview.

At the end of the day, her grade is what it is now. When you go to open days - ask the arts admission teams this question. Then she can choose who she applies to with her 5 choices.

In my DDs case, the courses seemed to know what it was they were looking for and it wasn't about how good an artist you were (I guess they see so many) but whether their course would suit you. My DD had two offers out of four but when she left the two she didn't get she knew she wouldn't - she could tell it wouldn't suit her style. The more open days you can go to the more she can assess if that's the case before she makes an application.

Kez100 · 18/08/2017 12:28

sorry...her performance at interview should be in with the portfolio and foundation grade as trumping the A level

Original poster

notsohot · 18/08/2017 12:49

Thanks that is what we are hoping. I hadn't thought about the open days as being an opportunity to check out how receptive they would be to her application - still a bit too shocked to think straight.

OP posts:

Kez100 · 18/08/2017 13:11

Regarding her A level grade - talk to school and ask if remark is worthwhile.

If not, then any work she has to hand see if the foundation tutors would be prepare to show her "how to improve". With arts is all about moving on and learning from feedback and research - that will be the same at Uni too. So, why not start now! Well, perhaps not exactly now.....but when she has settled in and knows her new tutors better.

Original poster

notsohot · 18/08/2017 13:38

Yesterday art teacher said they have not had much success in past with remarks. But am thinking about it. Art teachers thought she would get A or poss A*. They think with hindsight she may not have enough in portfolio, hence low grade.

OP posts:

Kez100 · 18/08/2017 13:56

Mmmm. OK. I can understand if the evidence wasn't there for an examiner to see then the grade will be affected.

Seems terribly poor assessment on behalf of the teaching staff but then I'm only a parent - not saying that I would - but you'd think they would know what an A/A* grade versus D grade looked like! Is an A level art grade based mainly on the exam?

(My DD did a BTEC extended dip.)

BubblesBuddy · 18/08/2017 14:23

I feel this is poor advice and teaching. DD got A at as and A at A2. The teacher was very very clued up and they worked like mad. The school had a top reputation for Art. No-one went from an A to a D. If she was in danger of that, the school should have known and told you and her. Not much good saying the portfolio was short of work now!

However, the advice about the Art Foundation course is correct. She should do that and apply for degrees later this year if it's a 1 year Foundation and prepare the portfolio required for the course. They often have details of what they want on their web sites.

There are so many courses to choose from and lots of universities look at their own Foundation students with a view to keeping them on a degree course. If she can, choose a university foundation course which does this and not a local college. She will be fine.

BubblesBuddy · 18/08/2017 14:27

If I recall correctly, DD did portfolio, research on portfolio, and exam. As part of the portfolio, the girls designed and made clothes as well as fine art. They produced an art exhibition with all the work done by each girl for the examiner to view. She also had her creations displayed in a fashion show at the school. It was hard work but great results.

Original poster

notsohot · 20/08/2017 09:31

Thanks for replies.
Foundation is at college where they also offer degrees. So hopefully D would have no bearing on application there if her work is good enough. It's away from home and concerned that she might not like the city or it may not offer the course she wants.
We have decided to go for a remark but dont know whether they remark portfolio and exam. When she submitted the portfolio school said there was sufficient in it but when Art teacher was trying to think of reasons why she got D this was offered as possible explanation. I agree that school should know the difference between A and D material ... We are still finding it difficult to come to terms with it.

OP posts:

Kez100 · 20/08/2017 16:49

Good luck with the remark.

If the college is in the South West, pm me as it might be where my DD did her BTEC. If not, hope she enjoys the move - if she's A grade material she'll still have it in there whatever that piece of paper says. Just needs to identify why so she covers that ground in future.

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