Art at University, any help greatly appreciated!

[BarefootHippieChick]

Daughter is currently doing A levels, set to finish next year. The only subject she really loves is Fine Art and is thinking of studying it at university. However, she's really adamant she would prefer to live at home, which obviously narrows down the choice of commutable universities. Our local colleges offer a foundation degree in Art and Design for 2 years. I've looked at the course content and it seems to be a real mixed bag of painting, drawing, sculpture, textiles etc. Dd really prefers just the painting/drawing side. However, looking at the actual university courses, the content seems very similar! Has anyone any experience in the Art field who could advise what might be the best next step?

Can't help much, but most foundations are broad, to give them a bases to develop in different directions, a lot of art schools want a good size portfolio so the foundation degree helps with that.

No idea whether a 1 year foundation or 2 year would be better, but I'd personally think a 1 year would be best if going to university after.

My dd1 is at art school in Glasgow, so I don't know a lot about the English system. She went straight from school without a foundation year anywhere but had done a Saturday portfolio preparation course in her last year at school.

My ds also thought he wanted art and so started on a foundation course but didn't enjoy it much so dropped out and got a job and has changed his mind on his future. Partly this was as it was all remote learning due to COVID.

Some art schools/colleges do a foundation year as their first year and then specialise (I know Dundee does this). Some will let you jump first year if you've done a foundation course. Might be a good idea for your dd to talk to the universities she's interested in.

All the best to your dd.

Thank you both, that's really helpful. There seems to be a foundation year that's a precursor to uni, and a 2 year foundation degree with an option to do a further year for a full degree (presumably just in a college setting rather than university setting. ) DD is looking through the course content more thoroughly.

If she wants to live at home, I would approach local universities and ask them about their courses and entry routes. Course leaders should be happy to advise.

@BarefootHippieChick , all you need to know about foundations:

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5017684

The 'normal' used to be Art Foundation which took one year and was a try out of lots of styles, materials etc.

Then onto a three year degree in Fine Art, Photography, Textiles etc

Just depends on what's available near you. Would she do the Foundation year away from home then Degree near home?

The foundation year will run the first term as a carousel where all students try everything. Then they specialise for the last two terms. Then specialise in uni.
What are your daughters plans post degree?

soma thank you, that's very helpful.

Whatever she chooses will be within 30 minutes travelling time from home, she struggles greatly with anxiety and doesn't want to live away at all just yet. We have 2 colleges nearby which both offer a 2 year foundation degree (rather than a foundation year) in Art and Design, with the option to do a top up year to complete the degree in a particular field (ie fine art, photography etc). Dd is thinking she might prefer this to a university setting as the classes will be smaller, plus they appear to offer practical based work within the community as part of the course. She has absolutely no idea what she wants to do eventually, she just loves art and anything creative. I didn't go to university, researching everything is a minefield!

I should add the college degrees are run by the local universities, one of which she has considered as an actual uni choice

It’s usual to do a 1 year foundation course at a more local college if you’re not sure which field of art you want to specialise in. Then people apply to their preferred uni for their specialism. Does she know what she’d like to use her degree for afterwards?

I agree you should find out what she intends to do with her degree afterwards. Some fields are very competitive.

I did a one year art foundation course.

Then went on to study engineering.