Anyone studying Art or Design at degree level ?

[DuddleDipper]

I am hoping to do an arts based degree when all my children are at school (in about 2yrs) and was hoping for some info on how many hours you are required to actually be at uni. I know some full time courses only need you there for 2 / 3 days a week and I need to weigh up full time v part time. Also fees and loans etc have different rules for ft and pt. Can anyone give me any info ?

Bumping for you.

Have posted this over in Art and Craft.

I'm doing Media Production (making films) and I'm in 5 days a week, plus working at home. But I have no kids (i come on here for advice about stuff, like argueing with MY mum lol in case you wondered ) Filmmaking is tough but other courses probably aren't so bad.

I'm doing fine art part-time (started full-time and then had a baby!). Lectures take up about 4 hours a week, plus tutorials/group crits average at an hour a week. However you then also need time for research, sourcing and collecting materials, and - most importantly - for working in the studio (which is preferable to trying to work at home). So I go in 3 full days a week but also do a lot of reading etc at home in the evenings.
All the fee/loan stuff has changed since I started so can't advise, but they will have someone at the uni who can go through this with you.
Are you going to do an access or foundation first?

Thanks for your post, I started a similar thread under art and crafts which has a few more responses.

Notbusta, haven't decided on foundation or access (it was just foundation when I left school) is foundation preferable to access do you know ?? I would certainly need to do something along those lines to refresh my skills,get into the routine of studying and get a portfolio together. Do you have any plans workwise for once you have finished your degree. Part of me thinks that at my time of life (late 30's) that the time, cost and commitment involved means I should do something more vocational ?

I did history of modern art, design and film full time at 2 full days a week with lots of catch up late nights and weekends/reading/revision/essay deadlines

It's great but you need to plan and be very strict with yourself as if you fall behind you can;t just give a weekend over to it like those without kids.

I did a mix of visual studies, creative writing and cultural theory at art school. I mostly had between 6-10 hours a week but a lot more was done at home.

Ds1 was at school and dd was 9 months when I started. I did the first year part time, which was easier in some ways but when I went full time I actually got on better as I felt more part of it and the dynamic was better.

I think the fees were just half price for the part time year but I don't think I got a loan. I can't remember what I did, think I applied for the internal hardship but it wasn't much. At least I only have two years of loan to pay back though.

Work wise there isn't much about - arts admin is really over subscribed. A young girl I studied with is still wroking oin Primark 2 years after graduating.

I think a vocational degree might be better if you are interested in something else. Arts jobs are very few and far between and usually you have to do a far amount of volunteering beforehand too.

I'm late 30s now