art/illustration/graphics/animation degrees. Which course is your DS DD thinking of for 2023

[mumma24]

Would love to know what your son/daughters plans are. Especially those that are keen illustration artists or currently studying A level Art or similar

My dd is looking a graphic design degrees - uni's being considered are Leeds, Reading, Loughborough, Lincoln, Nottingham Trent, MMU. She wants to go to a main stream uni - not an arts one. I suggested a foundation art course - but she isn't interested atm although that may be a back up plan. Is your dc looking? If so, what are there plans....

Central Saint Martins or Falmouth are exceptionally good for all of those topics. A UAL short course might be a good option to give them a flavour of the style of these universities - the short courses can be a bit pricey but in my view are worth the investment.
Your DC might want to narrow down course a little as other universities will be better than others based on which degree they want to do. For instance animation and graphic design is quite different to fine art.
I also really liked Leeds university and it’s courses tend to be a bit broader.

Graphics probably has the highest employment rate.

My DD has just started Illustration (with placement year). She did A level, no foundation, and got a few unconditional offers based on portfolio. Finally decided on Cambridge School of Art / Anglia Ruskin.

Happy to answer any questions about the process! Also, you might want to look at this thread?

www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4626697-2023-uni-applications-for-those-pursuing-art-and-creative-routes

DD is doing art foundation at a local college. At the start of year 13 she was undecided between art and history, and not in a place to do an art school portfolio alongside A level coursework, so a year out made sense.
She now wants to do illustration and is starting work on a portfolio. Thinking of Bournemouth, Brighton, Falmouth, and maybe Cardiff met. Need to pick a 5th. Not London, or very far North, maybe midlands.

@Pourmeanotherwine Obviously I'm going to suggest Anglia Ruskin as that's where my DD is for illustration! If you google it (or "Cambridge School of Art") you'll see it has a good reputation and students there regularly win the big prizes.

My daughter is interested in 2D animation, though thinking ahead is a little worried about the emphasis on 3D animation in this country. Illustration is also an interest.
She wants to stay at home and do a foundation year, which many courses suggest, though as @PhotoDad says is not essential. Partly because she still wants to do other kinds of art, but it seems even on a diagnostic foundation program they get you to choose a focus halfway through the first term.
We are in London so she is looking at Kingston University and UAL (Camberwell) for foundation, then so far Falmouth, University Arts Bournemouth and University of Hertfordshire are top of her list for her degree. She did a short course in animation at UAL this past summer and will do the Foundation Prep short course at Kingston this half term, mainly to give her an insight into the teachers and facilities.
She is also interested in a placement year so is looking at unis that offer that
(Not all university guides are accurate - most say Kingston is a three year course but they do a semester abroad and placement years).
Where is your child thinking of?

@mondaytosunday Anglia Ruskin offers a placement year on all of its art/design courses; my DD is on a placement year course. They offer a joint course in "illustration and animation." Maybe one for your list?

DD was attracted by four things: the city of Cambridge, reasonably priced accommodation, the reputation of the art school, and the traditional nature of the course. She's been there nearly a month for illustration and loves it. The emphasis is on old-fashioned drawing from life (street scenes, architecture, life class) which is very marmite in the art/design world.

DD wants to do Photography and sad that Edinburgh no longer offer a pure Photography BA.

Have considered - UAL (London College of Communication) - I went to UAL and it definitely opened some doors and was a great course but I didn't really enjoy the uni experience of London because everyone lives so far apart and we looked at how expensive accommodation is in London now so she's not considering that - same goes for Ravensbourne.

So... considerations are Manchester's SODA (she's shortlisted for their photography comp so hopeful she'll get an offer) Nottingham Trent, Falmouth (just worried it's a long way to travel to do urban photography and she likes doing that) - we're also going to look at Leeds.

Just got to start on the portfolio now - she's not started yet and I think it will take a bit of time.

I've only just realised that there are two threads with similar people on, I was looking to see something I posted earlier but it must be on the other thread! "2023 uni applications for those pursuing art and creative routes"

I'm guilty of this too @PhotoDad! I'm sure I've continued a point on the other thread referring to something I've said on here! So anyone reading this thread who hasn't seen the other there are good posts on both!
Anyone considering UCA? Particularly Farnham - hear the accommodation is not good for one thing.