UWE (Bristol) v Kingston for art

[brenda21]

Ds has unconditional offers for both to do illustration (he’s already done a foundation hence unconditional)
He just doesn’t know which to choose. We visited both. Dh and I have both helped him with the pros and cons list (there are not many cons tbh! I think he wished one of them had rejected him!,) and he still doesn’t know.

Anyone got offspring at either that may be able to offer some insight that might help him make the decision?

Kingston!

ivyleaguestoner can you elaborate?!!

I know a lad at UWE doing architecture- he's enjoying it and has met some good friends.
Kingston has a stellar rep and the facilities are amazing (don't know about UWEs), and are open for all to use.
I think you need to consider the lifestyle - edge of Greater London vs a small city, for example. It's such a personal thing though - one person may love it another may consider either 'meh'.

Kingston has a great reputation. (DD is currently doing an illustration degree so we did lots of research, although she didn't end up applying there because she wanted to go a smaller place!)

You can look at various stats on discoveruni.gov.uk if that might help break the tie?

Bristol is not a small city! With two universities it’s brilliant for students. Has so much going on.

With this degree what about work prospects? Has he looked into this? Did he prefer the vibe of one university above the other? What about cost of living? What other things made him keen on these two? Have you looked round Bristol and Kingston in depth? Do more students live at home at Kingston? Are there student areas at Kingston? What would he do in his spare time?

Bristol is a great city with possibly more going on with in easy reach for students than the London suburbs. But obviously London over all is much bigger with more happening.

uwe is a nice supportive uni. I went there as a mature student, so didn’t get into student life really. Dd has an offer there for a dog fee rent subject for September. She hoping to get an offer for her first choice, but uwe will def be her insurance, if not her first.

I meant compared to London @TizerorFizz!
Personally I'd opt for a more manageable city with a young population. Kingston has the river and is amazing for shopping, but that may not be too if a student's wish list! Some of the student accommodation is new and looks great, if not exactly budget friendly!

@mondaytosunday
Oh. I see. I know Kingston is respected for arts but it’s not really in London. It’s quite a journey in for brighter lights! Bristol is more of a student city and UWE isn’t the expensive part of Bristol so subsequent living costs are ok. However as illustration is an art, I would look at employment and London might be better for that.

I’m assuming it’s at the Ashton campus being an Art course. It’s BS3 area so walking distance to docks area which is quite a lively area and central Bristol (known locally as town), only drawback rent is a little pricey!!

Thank you all very much for your input. I’ve shown the thread to ds. We’re going back to look around Kingston at the weekend.
His main predicament is, while Kingston is his preferred uni, he’s worried that there might not be enough going on in Kingston out of college time. He’s been brought up in a city, though is quite quiet and a little shy, and not a real party animal. Such a big decision.

Just because others have parties, you don’t have to join in and you can ask for a quiet hall. So ask about that. Maybe have a look around the locations too if you can. Sometimes students get a feel for a place or they simply cannot imagine themselves there!

I support art students at UWE.

You may know this already but the teaching for art is all at Bower Ashton campus - poor transport links to the city centre and all the main uwe sports/societies/music stuff is at a different campus. But it is a brilliant, small, beautiful campus to be on.

It feels more art collegey due to its size, rather than like a typical university campus.

There's also no student accomm on that campus, the nearest one is in the city centre I think and is private rather than ran by UWE. So likely to be more expensive, but right in heart of bristol.

I don't know the courses although know Kingston has a good reputation for art. Did you properly visit the centre though? Personally I don't think it has much on offer. Bristol however is buzzing.

This probably doesn't help one but, but my dd is on her first year at Bristol (uni of) and absolutely loves it. So much so that my non partying son wants to go there.

Yes I hadn't thought about Bower Ashton being the location. It's a trek out of the city, beautiful surroundings and green spaces around but not like studying in the centre. Your dc might like that, having a bit of space between where she lives and goes out and where she studies. Does make it harder to find the motivation to get to a lecture if it's a bit of pain in the ass to get to,

My DDs uni halls are on the Stoke bishop campus which is about the same distance out I think. She likes being able to switch off back at halls and be surrounded by green.

I’m not sure if you’re aware that UWE had a lot of problems with student accommodation last year…not enough, really expensive etc. might be worth looking into this.

The newer halls in the centre tend to be more expensive.

I know zilch about art but live quite near Kingston and did my a levels at the FE college there. It's definitely small and not Bristol 😬 but it does have a very studenty feel - big FE college as well as the uni, so loads of students in a pretty small space and it's notable for me (as an old gimmer) how many young 'uns there are in the town centre. So not bright lights big city (the clubs have a reputation for being hilariously bad) but I think quite a nice little hermetic experience for students so long as they don't want a pulsating city experience and are of a mind to enjoy the pretty stuff/nice outside bits like the river, Richmond park, petersham, Hampton court etc. Train in to Waterloo takes about 25 mins I think, so you're not far from london proper although the train is not cheap.

Kingston has had a stellar reputation for illustration for ages and a degree from there is likely to be 'worth' more than UWE in the industry.

Bristol definitely isn't a small city!
I don't know about the courses but I've lived in London and Bristol and it will be much, much better being a student in Bristol than the London suburbs IMO.

I went to both, though admittedly ages ago (and I did a STEM subject(s). Enjoyed my time at both, but Bristol (UWE) was better for a social side.

Thank you all again. Ds is reading all the responses and getting more and more unsure which way to go!

If purely a location for student experience I'd say Bristol - I know Kingston very well but it's a family area and the university is a walk from even central Kingston (which is lively, but not particularly geared towards youngsters). But for reputation I'd say Kingston. My daughter has applied to the foundation course there as we live nearby, but she'd choose it over UAL Camberwell if she gets accepted as facilities and course appeal more.

OP, have sent you a PM.