Part 2: Continuation of 2023 uni (and other) applications for those pursuing art and creative routes

[Duchessofmuchness]

As requested transferring us all over hear for the continuation of the 2023 journey. Have so enjoyed the company and support of all on the first thread. Link to original thread copied below (I hope!)

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

Brilliant @PhotoDad! I'd go for the placement- experience trumps!

Hmmm, I always wonder about the wisdom of going straight onto an MA unless you’re set for an academic route. Wouldn’t it be something you do once you develop your practice? They’re quite expensive and what would happen if you decided you needed a professional qualification In the future, maybe teaching? But that’s just gut feeling and I’m no expert.

@Soma, @mondaytosunday, and @ArtGarfield; you're right, and normally I'd say work experience is more important than a master's. The complicating factor is that DD already has some relevant work experience on her CV, and that the MA is incredible focused and vocational... if she's even accepted onto it. It's this one:
https://www.aru.ac.uk/arts-humanities-education-and-social-sciences/cambridge-school-of-art/ma-cbi-award-winners

That does look like an amazing MA. If I was her I’d probably try for a job and the MA, she can always ask to defer the MA to make some money to pay for it. It’s a LOT of money, but maybe that’s what MAs cost these days. Would the PG loan even cover the fees?

@ArtGarfield Yes, that's what MAs do cost! She would get a 20% "loyalty" tuition discount. The PG loan would pay fees but not accommodation.

My advice to her was; apply for well-paid placements (there are a handful with deadlines relatively soon), see if she has any luck, but if not, don't spend time chasing unpaid ones... then revisit the MA choice later. She has already suggested working for a while to save for doing the master's, or trying to mix part-time work with part-time study. We'll see how it turns out.

We could just about afford to fund her, but she's said that she wants to stand on her own two feet after the BA, bless her (albeit with a safety net).

@PhotoDad the MA looks really good and it sounds like Little @PhotoDad has a good plan in place.

Does anyone know anything about Hereford College of Arts? It's on DC's list of possible destinations and looks very good on paper (although haven't visited yet).

I agree PhotoDad, it seems as if MiniPhoto is very sensible. The course does sound like an amazing opportunity, I hope she can find a way to make it work.

I do feel sorry for the youth of today. I remember not being able to afford a masters back when it would have cost £1k. That was almost 2 months salary. Now an MA would cost a years salary.

@Aaarghthepancakes - not one I know about or have visited. Are you going to open day? What course is it for?

Good to hear how people getting on. We are now back in midst of open days. Last year DS was primarily looking at art foundations- this year he has a shorter list of BA fashion.

Going to Kingston (again)tomorrow which is local for us so literally just going for the subject talk. Then he wants to visit LCF (no open days announced yet, just virtual), CSM again although it disappointed last year, Manchester Met and maybe Edinburgh.

He's enjoying the foundation - he's made an amazing jacket in the last week and has also been enjoying print and life drawing. Both new for him.

He is still trying to work out if uni is his route. He has been doing some research into apprenticeships too. He is much more engaged in the process than he was last year which is good to see.

Glad to hear your news @Duchessofmuchness! Open days still for us too but for academic degree now.
Hope he finds a good fit - though the apprentice route might be an interesting alternative!

@Duchessofmuchness it's for the Foundation year. It's a long way from us but we'll be going in the next few weeks for a 'feel' of the place.

@Aaarghthepancakes
I've done a little name change which is self explanatory hopefully.

My DC is at Hereford Art College doing the Diploma so equivalent of A levels/BTec. Absolutely loving it. Staff very positive and engaged. Happy, buzzy, creative and ambitious atmosphere at the college.

The above applies to Foundation in the experience of friends' children. One who is nearly finished at Loughborough now (Graphic Design) went to Hereford Foundation and says it was the best year of her life by far.

My DC will be applying to Hereford for foundation. Also doing UCAS but all choices quite aspirational. The foundation doesn't feel like plan B, just another step in plan A.

The college sell the foundation as, "We'll know you, your work, your goals. We'll stretch and support you." Based on many reports I do believe this.

I think it offers the good things about FE combined with having degree and post grad students there too. A proper art community.

Hereford as a city is like a big town rather than a large city but that's not a bad thing necessarily.

People commute from a huge distance, some people relocate and other students live in halls which are right by train station and opposite Morrisons.

A few years ago I met a senior staff member at a party. She was clearly excited and enthusiastic about her work and the college. She was so encouraging of my DC and their dreams.

Obviously, it might not be a good fit for your DC but wanted to share our experience.

@NearHereford Sounds like an amazing course and place!

It is but just remembered a downside if student is commuting. There's the commute obviously but also their social life can be spread quite far. We've got terrible public transport in our town but I've had some nice days out in Ludlow, Worcester and Malvern so far.

I saw a remastered version of Tokyo Story in Malvern theatre to kill time.

@NearHereford This is just what I needed. Thank you so much. Its DEFINITELY on our list. Can't wait to visit now.

DD has discovered that there's an option to do a short placement as part of Year 3, and that's what she wants to do. Also afraid she'll lose momentum with her art if she takes a break for a year (which I kinda sorta see, but I'm no artist). Will talk about to her about the Master's on another occasion...

She said something really heart-warming the other day; "I'm now finally starting to make the quality of art that I've always wished I could." Yay for art-school!

How's everyone's DC doing?

That's so good to hear @PhotoDad, though she may say in ten years that she had no idea how much she'd continue to grow and learn! If she feels more comfortable keeping at it that's the right choice for her.
My DD has finished printing rotation which seemed over just as she was getting into it, snd I think has photography next but is on a welcome half term break now. Her CV she had to write for the Turing program was impressive considering she has no work experience. But she's done her best with what she has and her experiences doing her magazines for her EPQ gave her some material to fall back on. Seems she took as long to design and tweek the look as write it!
They've spent last couple Fridays visiting museums and galleries - the benefit of being in London is they could spend every Friday doing that. She likes to look stylish doing this so wears boots rather than trainers which inevitably means a request to collect her from the train as her feet are worn out! But she is getting good exposure, though is not impressed by quite a lot of new stuff she sees!
It's a good break from her academic work but the Cambridge application process seems like an A level in itself at times! Still not filled last two slots on UCAS form.
Love to know how U of Herts is going for your child @Acinonyx2!

Great to hear everyone is doing well and has exciting plans! DS still enjoying UWE.
His first module seems to be taking him down a casting concrete route... the mind boggles! He has also had an etching day (which was awesome!), and has lino, aqua tint, cyanotype and casting workshops also booked..
They also had a field trip to Hauser and Wirth Somerset and met the curators. Apparently he gave them a grilling about their sustainability credentials (apparently no one else was asking questions!). And then he and a few others ended up in the pub with their tutors.
It's a very independent degree and requires a lot of self motivation and assertiveness. Apparently a large part of the cohort are struggling with that. He is v glad he had his Foundation year at DMU, which has set him up well in this respect.
3 hour group tutorial tomorrow as well as an all day 'mini' project. And orchestra in the evening!

We have one last open day to attend - Portsmouth and then we really need to get on and fill out that UCAS form. DC has decided that they will go straight to an animation degree and the shortlist will include UCA, Staff, Escape and Herts. The final place we are not sure about yet.

@Okisenough what about AUB?

@Okisenough agree with @Monday, AUB might be worth including, or UWE Bristol. @Moid (a tutor at Herts) on The Student Room gives very good advice about portfolios.

@mondaytosunday @Soma She wasn't that keen on AUB as a place although it might still make the shortlist. And not interested in Bristol.

Falmouth?

@Okisenough What are the main things on the wishlist? I'm a big cheerleader for ARU/CSA but I know that the animation course there is a bit unusual as it's combined with illustration, and is very traditional rather than digital. Lovely (and tiny) art school in an amazing city, though.

@Okisenough or Kingston? It's a combined animation/illustration course though.
My daughters list for Animation before changing direction was:
U of Hertfordshire
UCA
AUB
Falmouth (though distance made it last choice)
Possibly ARU or UWE but heard mixed things about the latter.
If she wanted London she would have considered:
Kingston
Possibly UAL - I know you have Escape but I think not her style, though it has a good (if quiet) reputation.

She struggled with a fifth. Though I think, judging by the courses that were in clearing last year, she would have received offers from most of the above except University of Hertfordshire which is the most competitive and only one not in clearing.