Degree in fashion/art

[Mincepies76]

My daughter is hoping to eventually do a degree in fashion or something in the arts. She is absolutely set on not doing A levels (despite being academically able) but wants to do a 2 year arts foundation course. Looking around I can see universities accept this qualification but I think she should do A levels and possibly a years foundation after. I imagine competition is tough for uni places and jobs after and want her to have as many qualifications as possible....but am I just old fashioned?!

One option is to do the A levels, including art and possibly textiles, and then do an Art foundation course. This then leads to an degree in an appropriate subject.

Fashion is a pretty wide description so I’m assuming design. If you look at Central St Martins under the umbrella of University of the Arts London you will see that the foundation course in fashion (art and design) will take students through to the degrees. Some colleges within the UAL set up will definitely offer degree places to their foundation students so it’s worth doing the linked courses. Some students will go directly after A levels or a foundation diploma elsewhere so she could look at this route too.

UAL do offer places to A level age students but of course some students will go post A level with relevant subjects.

I’m sure there are other colleges and courses but I’m only familiar with this one. I think going in with A levels means she can change her mind. A Foundation Diploma can be limiting post 18. Overall it’s not a bad idea but doing a foundation at the right college should be a priority.

Hello. My dd1 has just recieved 2 unconditional offers and is set to receive her 3rd soon. She opted for a Btec in art where she had some element of choice and has designed and made several fashion pieces for her projects. She is predicted a distinction but Art based degrees tend to value the students portfolio above and beyond the results. Dd1 didn't get get unconditionals until they saw and loved her work.
Dd1 has been told that she is In a better position than some other applicants as she has amassed a lot if work over the last 2 years for her portfolio. She also already has skills in pattern cutting and garment design and can show a clear progression in her work between design and final pieces, again putting her ahead before she even starts her degree.
If your dd is set on fashion then I personally wouldn't push her into A levels.

My DDs A level Art also had choice and she designed and constructed garments too and the school put on s fashion show. However the school was dedicated to this area of work and had a fashion designer in residence. However, I do think choices within the curriculum matter.

The OP was looking at an art foundation from age 16 and this is obviously helps produce the portfolio too. The fashion courses are very hot on the portfolio (and offer great advice too) but often DC taking A levels struggle with this. DD had to put a lot of work into hers. They also need them before the A level exams as interviews are often Jan/Feb.

If I remember correctly lots of the practical/design led fashion courses don’t ask for 3 A levels. I think DDs offer was CC. If the portfolio wasn’t any good it would have been a rejection.

It will really all depend on whether she wants this career and won’t want anything else. Doing a Btec is very career specific. A levels and the art foundations are broader but can be tailored to what you need. Not every Btec would have The skilled staff either or offer the right options. A levels is more of a gamble fashion career wise but, with three A levels, there is broader scope for an alternative degree. Which is what DD discovered.

Also DD noticed some applicants didn’t really know what a portfolio was at her interview. Just a few designs in a folder. All the courses should have advice on what they want to see. Also the foundation courses will prep DC well, especially if they are at the same university/college as the degree course. However I noticed that LCF, for example, seems to have removed their foundation courses and now concentrate on a huge array of degrees.