What course should DD do?

[Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies]

Right. Let me start by saying this entirely a choice for DD to make. She is my fourth child, meaning any tiger-mother tendencies have long since left the building.

She was supposed to go to a RG university to read maths in September - second teir as she is realistic about her abilities, and knows she wouldn’t have got into Oxbridge, Imperial, Warwick, etc. She took A level Maths last year and achieved an A star, but has found Further Maths this year challenging, and tbh, a little boring. She (sensibly) suspects this means Maths as a degree is probably a bad idea.

She is also taking Psychology and Spanish. She’s a little meh about Psychology, and it is definitely not an option for her degree. She loves Spanish, but found out most foreign language degrees focus on literature and history, which is not really her vibe.

She is very creative, and in in my completely biased opinion is fabulous at craft activities - sewing is a particular strength (she’s entirely self taught - working on a sewing machine she picked up for a tenner on Facebook market place).

Does anyone have any suggestions for degrees, apprenticeships, or even just an old-fashioned job?

People embarking on art foundation courses already have a lot of stuff to draw on because normally it's already their passion

I guess maybe some time out, a bit of work experience etc. Not sure as I deal with 17 year old, madly assembling portfolios!

Try using a careers test like this to discover possibilities that align to her interests and aptitude https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip

She can take a year out and work on developing a really good portfolio for admissions to art foundation or direct admissions to art programs at uni. While doing this, she might also want to consider starting a small crafts business via intragram, Etsy or similar, so she can get a taste of if selling her work is appealing for her. If she requires more guidance, that are art school short courses specifically for perfolio design that she could investigate.

Other fields that might appeal to her and model-making and 3D design. There are many real-world applications there, from film and television props to product creation. Her maths skills could be a great advantage in applications there. Look into specialist programs like the one in Brighton.

Another possibility just occurred to me - does she like children? A teaching career often calls for varied interests: a little language, a little maths, a little art. She could volunteer as a classroom assistant during her gap year and see of that's something she'd like to explore.

Having looked very hard into Art FY courses with one of our DC, I would advise great caution. Academic DC (and anyone with A star Maths is academic) are often ill served by Art FY courses. Our DC was an A star Maths student and chose a different route to combining her academic skills with her passion for art.

Very interesting!

Do you have ideas on options?

Marketing? Journalism? Business management?

DS18 is going to college instead of uni. He decided it wasn't for him and we support him with that decision tbh. Uni isn't for everyone. He may go after completing his HND.

What about looking at practical courses at the local college? Textiles? Kilt making?

If she is taking a year out then what about what used to be called an art foundation course, they are now called an art diploma.

I don't know how the funding works when you already have A Levels.

The course basically allows you to get a portfolio together for applying for art / design / similar courses.

Obviously she doesn't have to go to uni at all if she doesn't want to.

Link to an FE college near me with examples of the things they do.

https://www.southstaffs.ac.uk/courses/art-and-design-foundation-diploma-level-3-4/

Kilt making will always be in demand. Definitely an industry that shouldn't be overlooked. DS18 bought the family tartan just after his 18th for example. Lots of the younger generation wants to invest in kilts still...

I think if you're under 19 your Art foundation year can be free for UK residents. You start paying if you're over 19 or from overseas.

Technical drawing? Architectural drawing? You can exit from an architecture degree at various points and work at the level you’ve achieved, I believe.

I have a lot to say about this subject, yes! But prefer to do so by PM as it does require going into quite a lot of personal detail, both ours and that of the prospective student.

Update, for anyone interested!

DD contacted the local foundation art programme. They required a creative A level - which she obviously doesn't have, but they told her to apply anyway. They were unable to give her an answer until they knew how many people were taking up their offers. She worked to create a portfolio - which was inevitably a little thin compared with somebody who's done A level Art.

But yesterday morning she got an email, calling her for interview today. She was offered a place and starts next week. Whilst we suspect she's simply a bum on seat, it gives her a chance to find out more about textiles and fashion.

At the very least, she'll pick up some new skills, and hopefully be able to use this year to make decisions about her future.

Sounds good! If it leads to a new career pathway, all good, and if not, it's only a year and will still give her more experience to talk about.

At least she is being given a chance, OP. It may not be easy but if DD is any good this can be a pathway to a degree programme.

I hope it works out for her

This is fabulous news. Although they may be giving her a chance because they have space, they wouldn’t have offered her a place if she had no talent and had no chance of success. Even if it doesn’t turn out to exactly right it will give her a great opportunity to develop her skills.