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

Interesting @Lottsbiffandsmudge .

UWE is an option for degree (does not want to stay in London). Probably leaning more towards illustration at the moment but will have to see what the next few weeks bring.

Curious that you say "having a quality year group will support his development" and also "he has hardly seen anyone at seminars and in the studio" as those two statements don't seem to tally up!

How is he finding the uni in general? The art campus looks quite cut off from the rest of the uni (opposite side of the city). Does that matter? I am dubious as worried about costs; it's a very expensive city to rent in.

So Fine Art is based at Spike Island and uses the workshops at Bower Ashton. Not sure where illustration is based. Graphics is based at Arnolfini in City Centre. He shares a flat in a city centre hall with one in textiles (Bower), one in Graphics and a computer scientist (Frenchay) and they all make it work!
We worried about the geography of it but he is finding it fine. Walks from city centre hall to Spike and buses to Bower. Buses plentiful and cheap. Its also an easy bus ride to Frenchay for any clubs.
He absolutely loves Bristol. We liked it on offer day but he has totally fallen in love. It's vibrant and has a brilliant Art scene. It's compact and easy to get around.
DS is also v out doorsy and loves Bower as it feels in the middle of countryside.
Workshop facilities are excellent and the technicians friendly and approachable.
They are house hunting for next year. It's difficult as they are all at different places. Ideally he'd be in Bedington near Bower but that doesn't work bus wise for the girl at Frenchay! But he has such a lovely group they don't want to split up.
It is pricey. But not compared to London!!!

Oh and one of the best things about UWE for DS is that it is much more like a traditional uni than many others.
So there are clubs and sport which he wanted. He spent his FAD at Leicester DMU which had an amazing Art school facility wise and was excellent for that year but it had no orchestra for instance and so he didn't have enough outside Art to occupy him
UWE has very good clubs and societies. He is in 2 orchestras, a road cycling group and the hiking group.

Great work, @Lottsbiffandsmudge!

UWE was on our radar but was just Too Far from us. Always happy to sing the praises of the ARU/CSA illustration course, but it definitely depends on the type of city and course that you're looking for!

DD has made it to the next round (interview) for the Turing work experience in Portugal next year through her FAD course. Exciting!

Hello again all. Enjoying reading everyone's updates. D2 is now a couple of months into her foundation art year at a local college and is really enjoying it. So far her feedback is that her work is at 'merit' level which she is really happy with. She's realised that rather than applying for a Fine Art degree to start next year, she would rather do Illustration/Visual Communication. I have told her about ARU @PhotoDad !

So far, York St John and Lincoln are possibilities for Ucas. I'm getting slightly anxious that she hasn't got her application/portfolio together yet, she keeps saying that they are going to be looking at Ucas applications in college, but not yet.

She has the added complication of a recent (just before A levels) dx of ADHD/ASD so we are hoping for somewhere with suitable support. V impressed with York's "soft landing" early start and Lincoln's "Wow week" and she liked the self contained campus of both and they both seemed to have really good accommodation.

Well done to your DD @mondaytosunday how exciting!

Thanks. She also has her written assessment the following week for her application to Cambridge followed by an interview ten days later. She wants it all over now - she's been writing two times practice essays a week and reading like mad 'around her subject'. Just hoping she doesn't have any MS relapses as stress is a major factor. So far so good!
Today a visit to the Saatchi gallery - teacher decided they should walk there - definitely got their steps in today!

DD is settling well now. Has loved the course from the start but is a real homebird so we always knew that being away from home was going to be a challenge. Friendships are establishing and she has people she is planning to house share with next year, they're already starting to look!

@Philandbill
Is your DD at MMU? On DSs list for fashion next year but don't think he's going to make it to open day next weekend unfortunately. There are no other open days listed so unless they have another he'll need to apply blind and visit if they make an offer.

If folk are considering Illustration at ARU/CSA... The course leader has two key beliefs which filter through to all the students; that drawing is the basis for everything, and that illustrators should be prepared to work with any medium (traditional or digital; 2D or 3D) to fit the brief. This week he's had them all making giant animal masks! DD is really hitting her artistic stride, and spends just as much time in the ceramics workshop and the printroom as the studio. She's also started a little group of likeminded fellow students who all write-and-illustrate their own fantasy tales.

@PhotoDad aaah that sounds lovely! Good for her!

We are not far off submitting the UCAS form, dd will be applying for animation and I was wondering does every university interview for creative degrees or do some just base offers on portfolio?

@Okisenough I think UCA make offers to foundation applicants on the basis of their portfolio and "interview" at the offer holders' day, but everywhere seems to do it before hand.

@Okisenough not everyone interviews. DD applied to 5 for illustration. She had an online interview from Cardiff, an in person interview with Falmouth, and offers with just a portfolio from Bournemouth and Plymouth. Rejection from Brighton after a long wait, but I think they just accept / reject based on the portfolio.
She went for Falmouth, and seems to be enjoying the course so far.

Love that @PhotoDad

My dd just found out she's been accepted on the Turing Scheme work experience trip to Lisbon (I'm sure I mentioned it upthread). All expenses paid for four weeks. She said she was interested in Animation/illustration, but no guarantee where she will work - could be architectural office, advertising studio, photography - anywhere art related. It was one of the reasons she chose Morley College for her FAD (they said Berlin or Seville back then, but Lisbon will do)!
Cambridge interview next week - can't wait for it to be over!

Well done to her@mondaytosunday sounds amazing! And good luck for Cambridge interview too

That's amazing @mondaytosunday . Well done!

Great news, @mondaytosunday!

@mondaytosunday congrats to your dd and good luck for the interview.

Our UCAS form has now been submitted, now we wait!

Where have they applied to @Okisenough ? Good luck!

DC has applied to UCA, escape, Staffordshire, Herts and Bournemouth

Best of luck @Okisenough! I'm sending positive vibes for Herts!

Fingers crossed, @Okisenough!

DD is wrapping up projects as the end of term approaches. The ARU Illustration Department Sketchbook Party is tomorrow, where students & lecturers from all three years look at each others' sketchbooks while eating mince pies!

Have heard back from all five! All requesting portfolios and then may or may not require interviews. A lot to do over the the holidays to tailor the portfolio for each of their specific requirements.