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

@Duchessofmuchness that is fantastic- well done to him! And so much better to be ready, and to have unconditional offers in hand. My daughter had a high offer from Kingston so it was nail biting all summer, esp since like many 2023 A level students she dropped expected grades with the boundary changes. Kingston Fashion is highly selective so he's done great. And I'm biased but in all my daughter's extensive research KSA comes out above both CSM and LCF (which was her insurance) for Fashion particularly, altho she was torn for a while because of the UAL reputation worldwide. If it matters (& it did to us!) Kingston is much cheaper and easier to find accom in than the UAL colleges. But overall it was the sense that at Kingston, you're a nurtured individual with much more in person teaching in a smaller cohort. Since she came straight from A levels she couldn't apply to CSM degrees, so her place at CSM was for FAD and you're right, it came last. LCF was for BA FD&D and I think that was earlier than others who applied for CSM degrees so looks like CSM is last to announce offers. I'd say no news is good news when it comes to UAL as I think they tend to whittle down over time. Good luck & DM me if you or he want any inside scoop on Fashion or accoms at Kingston. I will say they work them HARD - she's been on deadline after deadline and they really push them: but we'd rather that, right?!

Anyone else feel like good A level grades were just a waste of time in the Art world?

We've been looking at the accusation for Chelsea- the halls of residence rates are extortionate- the nearest accomaodation charges £312 PER WEEK! for the cheapest room! That's £15,600 a year! I know there are slightly cheaper options further away but they are still over £200 a week for the most basic room and shared bathrooms.

Accommodation not accusation- silly predictive text!

@FancyFanny some courses require high A levels - I think Edinburgh was looking for ABB. But obviously it's the portfolio that counts.
But should there be any change - so many seem to change direction, including my DD, having good A levels leaves other options open.

Over recent years, struggling at times to support DS with his ADHD and dyslexia it was a comfort to me that since he had creative talent and wanted to take that route, he would have options where he's A levels wouldn't matter so much. But had he not done FAD, still seemed like the UCAS points required were high - I don't know if he'd have got in just on portfolio. His A levels didn't meet the points for the unis he has applied for. Kingston was 128 points I think and when someone at open day asked if they made offers lower she was told they didn't. Manchester Met want 104 points which again he wouldn't have reached. But with FAD it seems less important. As I say don't know if he'd applied what would have happened.

The nearest accommodations are presumably somewhere near Chelsea - one of the most expensive areas of London. Anywhere in Zone 1 is going to be £££ - which is why most Londoners don't live there!

Chelsea college is in Pimlico- not in Chelsea. Of course we expected it to be expensive- but even for for London those prices are at the top end for a Halls of residence.

@luluposs thank you for the helpful review of Kingston.
It's my DC's favourite choice against more famous places and gut feeling was along the lines of your DD's experience so that's great to hear.

I had a look at UAL halls too - saw some that were £500/week and 50 weeks contract!!! I guess some the international students have the money and the expectations. If DS choses UAL we'd be applying for the ones closer to £200 a week and a 42 week contract. The extra loan for London doesn't even touch the sides on those kind of prices.

Just to add Kingston seems to be more similar to what we paid for DD in Nottingham - still pricy but more similar to rest of country I guess

@Duchessofmuchness the thing that was off-putting at CSM open day was halls being expensive and very far away. Understandable given location I guess.

Friends DC at UAL were initially disappointed with getting halls at Tottenham Hale, but had a fabulous time. It's just next to the tube station and apparently lots hang out in Finsbury Park, which has a Picture House, Gails, bars & restaurants etc. Anywhere along the Victoria Line or Piccadilly Line works well for CSM and Chelsea. Probably Camberwell as well.

@HannahDefoesTrenchcoat very welcome and happy to scooch along answers to any Qs you or they might have... she's really happy there & im so glad!

@FancyFanny depends re A levels... as Duchess said, with FAD maybe not, but without FAD they really do. Kingston wanted equivalent of AAB in points (can't remember number now!) for their Fashion Design course... LCF quite a bit lower but still mattered, as well as portfolio too of course.

@Duchessofmuchness you're right about UAL halls £££ = bananas and one main reason we were scared she wouldn't get into Kingston cos she'd have had nowhere to live let alone affordably if she'd ended up at UAL! Meanwhile she's paying £169 p/wk all inclusive in halls right next to school of art at Kingston (there are even cheaper halls too) and you still get the London weighted loan!

And those looking at 1st year halls accoms, don't forget 2nd year they'll have to find private rentals, central London is almost impossible to find places, they cost even more than halls and all are 52 week full year leases plus bills!

With regards to A level grades, I was really meaning, not that grades are unimportant, but as long as students have met the minimum grade for the degree they are applying to it seems to be irrelevant whether they got A*s or Bs and everything from thereon is based on their portfolio. I guess I'm just feeling a bit dis-heartened by DDs rejections despite all the work to get the top grade in her A level Art.

Foundation hasn't been the best experience for DD- I think she had a really good A-level art teacher who let her experiment and stretch herself, and in comparison her foundation course has been more restrictive, she has felt frustrated with the lack of feedback and commitment from the tutors, has received minimal advice about what to include in her portfolios, other than it should be mostly her foundation coursework, but the quality of her A-level work was far higher.

@FancyFanny
I am sorry to hear your dd has found the foundation experience frustrating. I think some places feel your mere presence in an institution is enough to justify your fees and any tutor engagement is a bonus. I

@FancyFanny that is very disappointing re her FAD year and lack of support. Especially re the portfolio which is a major reason students do the year. Hope good news is coming for her soon.

Hello all! I know this post isn't at its most active point, but I'm wondering if anyone has DC pursuing studies on ceramics and/or glass? DD is open to pursuing either fine arts or products/furnishings degrees, but she'd really prefer a course that lets her spend significant amounts of time working in one or both of those materials. She's very capable with other forms, but clay and glass are her passions.

UCA has a Ceramics and Glass degree which she's definitely interested in, there's a program in Wales that looks good although we don't know much about it yet, and the 3D Design and Craft degree in Brighton also looks like a viable choice. Are there any others we've missed? She's only in Year11, so it's early days, but she's a planner and she's excited about where she might be heading.

None of this is in my wheelhouse at all; although I appreciate art I'm definitely not a maker. So any advice I can pass on would be much appreciated!

Hi @stormywhethers321 welcome to the thread. My DD is doing textiles at Nottingham Trent. They have a great product 3D design Dept too. I found this in their website - they have the facilities but don't do a specific ceramics/glass course. DD loves NTU and they've been really supportive.

www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/courses/our-facilities/fine-art-and-decorative-arts-facilities

Hi @stormywhethers321 welcome.

Is your DD interested in being in a big city like London or somewhere smaller? Also is cost a consideration?

For example, Cardiff is less expensive than London, but could still give a good student experience, as there are several universities, and is near Bristol and Bath.
UAL has a recognisable name, but generally scores poorly on student experience.
Cardiff Met have a ceramics course - BA (Hons) Ceramics Degree Course - Cardiff Metropolitan University
University of Wales Trinity Saint David - Design Crafts BA (Hons) (dmu.ac.uk)
UAL Central Saint Martins - BA (Hons) Ceramic Design | UAL (arts.ac.uk)
UAL Chelsea - BA (Hons) Product and Furniture Design | UAL (arts.ac.uk)
University of Sunderland - BA (Hons) Artist Designer Maker: Glass and Ceramics | The University of Sunderland
De Montfort University - Design Crafts BA (Hons) (dmu.ac.uk) @Lottsbiffandsmudge might be able to give you some insight into De Montfort.

https://www.theglassdirectory.co.uk/glass-degree-courses-uk.htm

Here's some more.
Manchester Met has a 3d design and craft course but it might be wider?

@Localher0 , @Soma and @HannahDefoesTrenchcoat

Thank you all so much for the warm welcomes and the kind advice! You've given us loads to get started with. I was somewhat worried that maybe she was limiting herself somewhat, but it looks like there's enough there to give her a strong range of options. I know she's going to want to look into it all straight away!

As for location, she's not overly fussed right now. She essentially lives in the studio, and so a uni that allows her to grow and experiment is her first priority, ideally with good connections to a local art scene. That may change as she gets closer to eighteen and a wider range of options for going out open up for her, but we'll need to see what the next year brings. Just from a financial standpoint, I wish she'd choose a place with reasonably priced accommodation options, but she's prepared to work to cover the difference if need be.

Thank you all again!

Just to say Leicester DMU has very good glass facilities. Not all art schools do.
The facilities at DMU are first class. DS did his foundation there.
Accom is cheap
But the local art scene isn't the best although DS prob didn't explore it fully, as he was madly busy with his foundation.

I'd recommend an open day there! They also have good ceramics workshops.

Thank you very much! I will definitely visit for an open day and get a sense of the place with DD.

May I ask what your DS did after his foundation?