Art A Level for 'competitive' Universities

[WellCromb]

DS thinks they probably want to take a Graphic Design degree - fine, they will take Art and beyond that GD courses don't really mind what other A Levels you offer (portfolio being rather more important). And rankings for this kind of course bear no relation to general University entrance of course. However, he isn't completely sure and if he doesn't go down that route then something like Computer Science/Maths is probably most likely. He is (if predictions mean anything) an 8/9 student all round and so could, potentially, look at Oxbridge/RG/other just as good places. But I am aware that Art is 'non-preferred' for some top courses. Institutions do say they would not rule someone out for having 1 A Level in the less desirable pile - but surely you are putting yourself at a disadvantage straight away? And would other institutions who are not explicit about not liking certain subjects nevertheless automatically see Art as lesser?
He is considering M, FM, Art, CS but is aware that Art workload is bonkers - I know FM/M is not considered as much work as any other 2 A Levels, but still....
Has anyone experience of that combination?
Or entry to high-ranking courses with Art, especially non-Arts/Hum courses?

@MistandMud

I'd contact Oxford/Cambridge and ask them (or rather, he should, though you may need to do the googling).

Indeed (although I suspect he can google!). I was trying to get an idea of actual experience as well. And the thoughts, sometimes tangential, which can come from these kinds of threads.

All the people I know who passed Higher Art and Higher Maths at school bucked the trend of Art School graduates being low earners and have made a good living, most still in the creative sector.

@SeasonFinale

Art is absolutely fine for Oxbridge even as a 3rd subject.

@SeasonFinale could you explain why you say that?

@Wbeezer

All the people I know who passed Higher Art and Higher Maths at school bucked the trend of Art School graduates being low earners and have made a good living, most still in the creative sector.

Well wouldn't that be lovely! I know there is a school of thought that says if you really had a passion for GD then you'd know 100% and would pursue it whatever the lack of job security/earning potential might be. (And of course some people make very good money from GD. And whether or not you earn well, how amazing to make a career out of something that brings you joy). I don't think it's unreasonable though to have thoughts in the back of the mind about other possibilities.

What my DH did was study fine art (painting) at art school they he self taught himself animation, including 3D computer animation and has made a good (though variable) living doing that. Hes big on acquiring skills continually though not necessarily at uni, he reckons short skill based industry courses and work experience can be just as good and quicker than degrees. The thing about creative careers is that they are rarely linear and you have to be prepared to "pivot" regularly. He is now running a sucessful small design & manufacturing business alongside his animation business, he keeps evolving!

I also know a physics grad who went into film special effects, he's now a professor!
Also a sculptor who is now a service design consultant, two printmakers who now make documentaries and my SIL did fine art but moved into a career in project management in the financial sector via a post grad diploma in IT for Arts graduates.
Im only average at maths so I'm a typical low paid art graduate!

Oxford Maths specifies entry requirements of 2 x A* Maths and Further Maths plus 1 other subject, not specified at A level, Grade A.
If he can cope with 4 it sounds like a great combination.

Yes, as SeasonFinale says, Art A level is fine as one of three A levels for Oxford. As I mentioned upthread, my D1 who is just about to start her second year at Oxford has a friend doing English whose A levels were Art, Eng Lit and Eng Lang.

Possibly a bit of qualification needed JulesJules, with Art as one of three. It's unusual to offer it as one of three, apparently.

Friend's son is studying Medicine at Imperial with Art, Biology and Chemistry A-levels. It wasn't an issue.

One of three for a science degree at Oxbridhe would be unusual I would have thought. One of four, for a science degree, not so much. One of three for English? Not remotely the same.

I can see that Art, Biology and Chemistry could be a very good combination for Medicine, assuming mathematical literacy.

TizerorFizz if you asked for stats, you'd find that those applying to Oxbridge for Arts courses rarely offer Art as one of three. Schools tend to counsel against it, especially since an applicant will almost certainly (unless super arrogant) be applying elsewhere and those other unis may be less accommodating/ more narrow minded than Oxford (I'm thinking of Durham in particular).

Yes. I can see that makes sense.

@TheVanguardSix

DS did Art A level and it is absolutely what got him into the Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL). I know your DS isn't into architecture, but what about urban design? It's kind of art/engineering/graphic design/architecture.

Interesting! I also went there but without an Art A level. (I did Maths, English Lit, and Physics). What I DID do though was to enlist my Art Teacher to help me put together my portfolio. Maybe he could do that?

Would also suggest he think about games design/special effects as potential career paths to think about. Architecture has few job opportunities but the ability with maths and computers/coding combined with design flair and artistic ability is very desirable.

But then a graphic design degree from a really good arts uni can lead to a whole range of careers. I did graphic design at Camberwell and from my year lots of us onto a really wide range of careers including one who is a sound engineer on strictly, another heads up special effects teams in big films and is now a member of The Academy, another is design director of one of the big fashion designers. I was an art director of a big fashion mag and now am a creative director of a software design company. Lots of people working in graphic design including one as an art director for Amazon and another is an art director for Disney. It’s a very competitive field but lots of opportunities are there. If I was coming out of uni now, I’d focus on moving image or game design. (I did physics, maths, economics, and art at a level.)