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

That's great @FancyFanny

@Okisenough Dd also wouldn't consider London. Definitely went for reputation/prospects over general vibe: Herts. Too no-wheresville campus for me (I went to London!) and curious lack of any aesthetic for arts students - and the accommodation is pricier than expected - but dd seems fine there and happy with the course (if she didn't look like dh I'd suspect she was swapped at birth...).

We went for a mix of vibes and reputation... but the city really sold it to DD.

My DD is much more concerned about what the city is like although I've tried to get her to focus more on the university itself and look at what the student satisfaction rate is, how high the teaching is rated and what the job prospects are like afterwards. It's hard to get an 18 year old to think past where has the best nightlife or the best vintage shops 😁She ruled out Lancaster and Loughborough just because they were towns not cities!

@FancyFanny when DD was looking we went to Loughborough, Bournemouth (AUB), Nottingham (NTU) & Winchester (Southampton). She did her FAD at Kingston but didn't want to stay in London. Nottingham was the winner hands down. Plenty of vintage shops and nightlife 😬

But I think the city is important..
DS did FAD at Leicester DMU, amazing campus and facilities and good teaching (not such good employment stats tho) but DS didn't take to the city at all, there was no art scene really. It was still a great experience and has other upsides, like affordability! And they are really invested in the art and design and offer some disciplines many other unis don't.
Now he's at UWE in Bristol. I would say teaching hours fewer (but it's degree not FAD so maybe that's why) and the facilities are not as new or expansive but the city is incredible. DS says the scene is amazing, so many opportunities to get involved. Their studios are co located with professionals, some of whom tutor or do the odd lecture.
Bristol is a very lovely city and living in the centre (which is where first year art students live) you are right at the heart of it. DS has found it all very inspiring.
UWE does have a good reputation, esp for print which is DS bag, but it's not 'prestigious'. TBH I think employment stats are not the bee all and end all. If they are driven and grab all the opportunities they are going to make it.

Hello, rejoining. Is anyone's dc going to UCS Farnham?

Thanks for everyone's input. It is proving pretty difficult for my dc to decide, the top two are Herts and UCA Farnham although Escape studios is still a possibility. It's for animation. We know Herts is the best but Farnham would suit her much more in many ways.

This has made me laugh as we did exactly the same rounds as you but swap out Nottingham for Manchester. Her school bestie went to Nottingham and DD wanted to be somewhere independently of those she knew. She picked Manchester for the course as it's slightly more specialised than at other places and because she liked the opportunities of a big city (though no interest in the nightlife 🤔).

5 years ago DD was choosing between Loughborough and NTU. Both were great courses for Product Design and Loughborough had the reputational edge for her subject but she didn't like the vibe at Loughborough. She loved her time at NTU - fantastic uni and great for her course too. Was right choice for her.

Have any of those waiting for Newcastle heard yet? Seeing on Studentroom a couple of people saying they are having technical issues and interview requests being sent but not received and UCAS not updating for offers for a while. Zilch from them here for DD. Manchester the same.

D2 has a friend who hasn't heard from Newcastle yet.

The wait is just killing me- every day for the last 6 weeks I've been checking my phone at every opportunity at work thinking today will be the day she gets another interview invite, but nothing and now the Easter holidays are here I'm wondering if they will even be processing any more applications. Yet if it's a definite no then surely she would have rejection emails- why would they sit on those?

@FancyFanny - I'm same waiting on CSM response for DS. They do have a reputation for being late in offers but they have now had portfolio for over 5 weeks. I keep an eye on Student Room and WIWIKAU on Facebook but not seen anything relevant for his specific course. It's painful waiting. Hadn't considered that it might all slow down over Easter!

I'm going to get her to call admissions at Newcastle on Monday.

Dd not heard yet from Newcastle either

It might speed up over Easter; time to get on with reviewing the remaining applications while there is no teaching.

We spent the day at Lincoln Offer holders day and were so impressed with the art facilities, (saw more than we had at open day) the whole campus, the accommodation...the city etc etc.
Don't think D2 is going to pick it though!

It's a no from CSM for DS - UCAS track updated this morning. He's v disappointed. It was his top choice so will take him a few days to adjust. Fortunately he has his 2 offers from his second and third choices and can make his decision after offers days. He was asking if he could apply again for CSM in clearing (he seems to think his course goes into clearing) but explained to him he'd need to release his offers and don't think he should do that.

I doubt it will be in clearing @Duchessofmuchness - I was keeping an eye on clearing last year and don't recall any UAL courses on it (though I wasn't specifically looking at UAL but think it would have jumped out as a surprise) certainly not CSM. He has to know it's super popular and very competitive with many more great applicants than places.

Sorry to hear that, @Duchessofmuchness. I also wouldn't hold out for clearing.

No absolutely not - I agree CSM fashion will not be in clearing! It's lack of experience and perspective on DS's part to think it would be.

Sorry to hear that @Duchessofmuchness, it's so hard for them when they get a rejection.

Actually the only BA Fashion which didn't go into clearing last year was Kingston, which I believe your son has right @Duchessofmuchness? I was so surprised to see everywhere else popping up on the clearing lists last year, I'm sure CSM was too, LCF definitely was!

I'm really sorry about the no from CSM, particularly because you said he's disappointed, but please know & remind him that CSM really is not all that... time & again we've heard firsthand stories from those who've found UAL not living up to reputation. He's done so brilliantly to get those other offers and should feel really proud of himself.

Sorry about CSM @Duchessofmuchness , hope DS eventually comes round to his other choices.

Yes, UAL has lots of different courses in clearing last year. Including Fine Art at Chelsea and Theatre Design at Wimbledon.

So can you apply for a course through clearing which you were initially rejected for?