Page 4 | Child wants to do foundation course, no student finance. Options??

crossstitchingnana · 2023-04-28T16:37:00+00:00

As per title. We have £3000 in savings. That's it. No idea how anyone, unless rich, can support their child with no student finance. They'll need fees, housing and living costs. Any tips? Ie can they claim UC? We're obviously looking at a bank loan, alongside the one we already have. Feeling really anxious about it. I would appreciate any advice you have. Thank you.

Camablanca · 29/04/2023 17:12

Whattodo121 · 29/04/2023 08:55

I also agree with lots of your post but again the last sentence feels unkind.

And of course I watch telly and go to the theatre, but that only needs a small amount of people, the rest need to get real

But how are they supposed to know to ‘get real’ if they can’t access the training (through inadequate funding) to let them see if they’re good enough? You have to audition to get onto a foundation course, they’re not just a consolation prize for people who don’t get immediately onto the degree course. They’re still very competitive. The idea of them is to up your skills across the board and then prepare you for the challenges of a full triple threat musical theatre course. It’s really common for kids to have two areas they’re really strong in and then be weaker in another. The foundation course allows them to work on their skills in a really intensive way to prepare them for it. this will be more necessary than ever after the interruption caused by covid, there will have been two years where proper rigorous dance training will have been impossible and performance experience also impossible.

Now I’m never going to make use of a sports science degree, but I don’t want to discourage people from studying it because of my tax payers money, just because I personally don’t see the need for it.

See, what I don't get is the line between pushing to be a full on 'triple threat' for musical theatre vs any other performing arts degree. Again, not an expert but quite a few of my acquaintances have had to learn all three, although their actual focus was only one. I remember one of my dance teachers being cross that he had to learn singing and acting. oh and teach to survive . Funny guy though, he was really good at it too despite claiming to find us annoying 😁

Presumably if someone failed to get into multiple MT programs, they could still go for performing arts focusing in their area of strength? Unless they're not good enough in any of them to succeed against the people who have made it their sole focus.

I do get that they're all completely different things though. It does seem to me that for MT you have to be an excellent singer and dancer, technically speaking. An ok actor (musicals aren't exactly examples of deeply nuanced acting).

While maybe if you did dance alone you need to go more deeply into choreography, etc.

isthewashingdryyet · 29/04/2023 17:16

@Camablanca
isnt the point of this thread that the young person can’t even get on the foundation course never mind the degree ?
or have I missed where they are doing a degree ?

I agree, a degree is a degree is a degree, but you have to actually be accepted on one to get one.

Camablanca · 29/04/2023 17:28

isthewashingdryyet · 29/04/2023 17:16

@Camablanca
isnt the point of this thread that the young person can’t even get on the foundation course never mind the degree ?
or have I missed where they are doing a degree ?

I agree, a degree is a degree is a degree, but you have to actually be accepted on one to get one.

Well you weren't talking about this - 'theatre school' in general. Which I pointed out was a degree like any other.

blacksax · 29/04/2023 17:49

crossstitchingnana · 29/04/2023 06:50

blacksax

It is musical theatre. Which is why, as they are now already 20, I don't want them to take a year out.

Yes, that's what I was trying to get across to some of the posters who are unfamiliar with the genre. You can't just stop dancing for a year and expect to be able to carry on where you left off, can you?

mexicanandafewdrinks · 29/04/2023 18:34

if they failed the audition to do the proper course they aren't good enough for a career in it. end of.
its a complete waste of time and money.

Comefromaway · 29/04/2023 18:50

Many successful performers would tell you otherwise.

SallyMcNally · 29/04/2023 23:28

www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/course/foundation-year-musical-theatre/

This programme is also funded.

titchy · 30/04/2023 00:08

SallyMcNally · 29/04/2023 23:28

www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/course/foundation-year-musical-theatre/

This programme is also funded.

looks like despite the dc's apparent dream that hasn't translated to them actually looking for a funded FY.

Comefromaway · 30/04/2023 00:12

It’s really not that simple. There are very very few places on the funded ones and they might have a different emphasis. Trinity foundation isn’t that well regarded to be honest.

Boomboom22 · 30/04/2023 09:32

Cheaper courses or those with guaranteed degree places after an integrated foundation year might not be well regarded enough. Hence why op didn't ask about student finance as this specific course is not eligible.
But I do agree it's not a high earning career even if you get in first time and get auditions and parts.

titchy · 30/04/2023 10:19

Boomboom22 · 30/04/2023 09:32

Cheaper courses or those with guaranteed degree places after an integrated foundation year might not be well regarded enough. Hence why op didn't ask about student finance as this specific course is not eligible.
But I do agree it's not a high earning career even if you get in first time and get auditions and parts.

I can see that, but at the end of the day if OP cannot finance the desired foundation year, her dc has to choose between finding a funded one, and they do seem to exist even if less well regarded, or working for a year to pay the fees at the one they want. Both keep options open for a MT career in the short term.

Iwouldlikesomecake · 30/04/2023 10:34

If you aren’t on a course you don’t just stop dancing!! You get a job, go to class, do short courses, keep your skills up. Like you do if you are a mature student going into the business. Like you do when you graduate and are unemployed and auditioning.

pinkyredrose · 30/04/2023 11:04

Op please don't get into debt, there's no need to take out a loan.

taxi4ballet · 30/04/2023 11:21

titchy · 30/04/2023 10:19

I can see that, but at the end of the day if OP cannot finance the desired foundation year, her dc has to choose between finding a funded one, and they do seem to exist even if less well regarded, or working for a year to pay the fees at the one they want. Both keep options open for a MT career in the short term.

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It's not just a question of finding a funded one and applying for it. All these courses have to be auditioned for, and the only ones you can consider are the ones where they have offered you a place following audition. Most institutions will have already completed their audition process for this year and filled the available places.

titchy · 30/04/2023 11:26

All these courses have to be auditioned for, and the only ones you can consider are the ones where they have offered you a place following audition. Most institutions will have already completed their audition process for this year and filled the available places.

The same applies to the non-funded place OP's dc is wanting to apply - they have yet to apply, let alone be offered a place.

Tambora · 30/04/2023 12:08

titchy · 30/04/2023 11:26

All these courses have to be auditioned for, and the only ones you can consider are the ones where they have offered you a place following audition. Most institutions will have already completed their audition process for this year and filled the available places.

The same applies to the non-funded place OP's dc is wanting to apply - they have yet to apply, let alone be offered a place.

Oh? I read it that they had auditioned for degree courses and were unsuccessful, but had been offered an unfunded foundation course place instead. Hence the OP asking about how to go about paying for it.