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Original poster

Higher Art

26 replies

bluebkke · 10/08/2023 06:25

My son wants to apply for Vet med and is about to start his Highers. He has chosen Art (as well as Sciences) but a few people have said that Art is one of those subjects where it is impossible to predict what kind of grade you will get - many students predicted with As get much lower marks. I think he knows of two examples of this. Just wondered what the broader experience is as wondering if he should change this choice to something more concrete, in terms of marking.

thanks!

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 10/08/2023 06:57

I did higher art and was predicated as a high grade and got a low grade. The main issue was actually the teachers who had muddled up when the design project and final expressive piece had to be submitted. I, with the rest of the higher art year group, submitted unfinished work. We also didn’t prepare for the written exam so were relying on our knowledge of higher English to get us through.

Art is very subjective, he could do well on the written exam and the overall parts of the design project but the expressive side is marked based on what the examiner likes, in my opinion, rather than technique and skill.

SandyIrvin · 10/08/2023 07:42

What is the school"s results like in H Art. Some schools are better at guiding students towards what gets higher grades ar H . My DCs school was highly rated for Art and Design (lots get Art school places). It was common (almost a badge of honour) not to get an A at Higher. For those who went to Art School it was all about the portfolio/interview.

Do you think if they knew an A was so important they would steer him towards what scores more highly with the SQA.

MistressIggi · 10/08/2023 09:44

Hasn't he already started though? Most schools will have done at least a month of their new year by now.

Original poster
bluebkke · 10/08/2023 10:05

@MistressIggi yes, but they were told changes could still be made. Not much was done at all in June I have to say. And this is kind of recent information based on the results that just came out. He wasn’t aware until now.

OP posts:
AndyMcFlurry · 10/08/2023 10:09

bluebkke · 10/08/2023 06:25

My son wants to apply for Vet med and is about to start his Highers. He has chosen Art (as well as Sciences) but a few people have said that Art is one of those subjects where it is impossible to predict what kind of grade you will get - many students predicted with As get much lower marks. I think he knows of two examples of this. Just wondered what the broader experience is as wondering if he should change this choice to something more concrete, in terms of marking.

thanks!

So what are his Highers ? English , maths, chemistry , biology and art?

whats the alternative if he doesn’t take art? Does he have a social subject that he’s likes and he’s good at?

Getting into vet med is a lot about the work experience as well as the grades. How much has he done?

MistressIggi · 10/08/2023 10:10

Yeah there will probably be some changes in August. Just he will have to do extra work to catch up (some subjects may have covered more than others in June! We did loads!)
Good luck whatever you decide.

AndyMcFlurry · 10/08/2023 10:27

the other thing is at H Art is a LOT of work so it will leave less time to study for things like maths and chemistry. So he could think about doing H Art in 6th year along with whatever 2 AH he needs.

Rainbowshit · 11/08/2023 10:55

AndyMcFlurry · 10/08/2023 10:27

the other thing is at H Art is a LOT of work so it will leave less time to study for things like maths and chemistry. So he could think about doing H Art in 6th year along with whatever 2 AH he needs.

I was going to say exactly this.

BigBoysDontCry · 11/08/2023 13:48

I've seen a similar thread (maybe on Fb?) where the girl has her heart set on vet med and she got 4 As in the academics but got a low C in art instead of the predicted A. Obviously now worried she doesn't have what she needs to secure a place. Personally I'd get them to choose something else and if the want to do H Art, do it in 6th.

mummywithtwokidsplusdog · 12/08/2023 20:27

Higher art is hugely time consuming - my DC did it this year. Also, if your DC will need 5As in first sitting then maybe select a more ‘predictable outcome’ subject, if possible?

Fleur405 · 12/08/2023 20:32

He should do 5 serious subjects for the purposes of vet school in 5th year. Then assuming he gets great grades he can do higher art in 6th year.

Fleur405 · 12/08/2023 20:34

I don’t know why I said serious subjects. Obviously higher art is a serious subject. I just meant subjects that will be specifically helpful for getting into vet school.

AndyMcFlurry · 13/08/2023 08:46

Fleur405 · 12/08/2023 20:34

I don’t know why I said serious subjects. Obviously higher art is a serious subject. I just meant subjects that will be specifically helpful for getting into vet school.

As long as he does the compulsory subjects ( Biology , chemistry and maths or physics ) and gets AAAAB, there are no additional subject that will help him get into vet school.

https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/veterinarymedicine/#entryrequirements

https://www.ed.ac.uk/vet/studying/undergraduate/bvms/5-year-programme/academic-requirements

Apart from the required subjects ( H Biology, Chemistry and Maths or Physics ), the right one to choose is a subject in which you have the best chance of getting an A and that won’t take too much time away from your other studies. That’s because he needs to achieve the required grades in one sitting.

Sadly H Art isn’t one of these subjects.

If , for example, they already have a grade 6 in the flute then their best choice is H Music. If their Mum is French and they are fluent in that language then the best choice is French.

Remember that any Vet Med applicant need to also get a season of lambing, several weeks milking and ideally some work experience in a vets . They don’t have the time to spend Saturdays in the school working on their H Art portfolio.

University of Glasgow - Undergraduate study - 2024 Degree programmes A‑Z - Veterinary Medicine & Surgery

https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/veterinarymedicine/#entryrequirements

ForbiddenColour · 13/08/2023 08:50

V bitter experience with higher art - would not touch if if a high grade was required.

Original poster
bluebkke · 13/08/2023 14:35

@ForbiddenColour sorry to hear that. Since I posted this thread I have across lots of others who say the same. He has emailed school and will choose something else. All other options in that column will be a crash Higher, but still think it’s the better option.

OP posts:
Lidlfix · 13/08/2023 15:03

Play to his strengths. If he is good at remembering content then Business Management or RMPS can be good options. My DDs all crashed Highers (in S6). Is he already doing English?

ForbiddenColour · 13/08/2023 17:03

@bluebkke the irony is that my DC is exceptional at art. SQA is all about process for an exam. This is across subjects not just art. We regrouped and went via a different route. My DC got five art school offers, including Central St Martins, Glasgow, ECA. Moral of the story do not trust the SQA.

RollOnJune23 · 13/08/2023 17:11

@ForbiddenColour so can you get into art school without higher art? (I've a dc this might be relevant to)

Wbeezer · 13/08/2023 17:22

I would avoid it as it's a lot of work and really adds to stress levels at just the wrong time of year!
DS got an A but that was during lockdown and he effectively had two at teachers at home as DH and I are both art school graduates
He also did AH Art and this was so much work that he didn't manage to do enough work for an art school portfolio and had to go to college for a year before applying ( for it so worth it but another year of expense for us 🙄).
Can't help with Vet Med but if anyone has any questions about Art School Applications I learned a lot!

heartofglass23 · 13/08/2023 17:30

You know it's harder to get into vet medicine than Oxbridge?

Not even doing all 3 sciences I don't see how there's any hope.

ForbiddenColour · 13/08/2023 17:34

@RollOnJune23 i would encourage you to contact colleges like Clyde College: https://www.glasgowclyde.ac.uk/courses/448-hnc-art-and-design/691 and look at an HNC, art desirable but not necessary. Also contact Glasgow School or Art re their portfolio courses. Edinburgh College also offers UAL diplomas that can build to Art School application.

HNC Art And Design | Glasgow Clyde College

This HNC Art and Design course will challenge you to develop your knowledge and skills which will be essential for further study of creative subjects.

https://www.glasgowclyde.ac.uk/courses/448-hnc-art-and-design/691

RollOnJune23 · 13/08/2023 18:04

Thanks for the art college advice - it's a way off for this dc, so might have a change of plans, but the comments re higher art being hard to do well in were worrying me!
re the OP's dc, you don't need three sciences in Scotland, do you? I didn't think most schools timetabled for that.

Wbeezer · 13/08/2023 18:29

@ForbiddenColour is right to recommend the college route, it also worked well for DS3 who is starting at GSA in a few weeks. I think doing an HNC was good prep for art school and the tutors were helpful with portfolio stuff. Also good to find out if you really enjoy art full-time and what subject you want to do now that only Dundee (DJA) had a general first year.
I'm much more confident that DS won't have a wobble after he starts.
Ironically for this thread, I did three sciences at High School because I wanted to do Vet Med ( horsey girl!) But I only got a B in physics and decided to switch to art, did a crash Higher which I got a low B in but still got into ECA after sixth year!

BigBoysDontCry · 13/08/2023 19:17

My nephew has just gained a place at Glasgow college for an hnd in art. He started doing a course at FVC but the two options he had in terms of progression were both cancelled, he applied to Glasgow and was accepted. He didn't even do N5 art at school.

Coolasakebab · 14/08/2023 05:35

Is he totally sure about vet medicine? It’s an extremely tough industry currently, with mental health problems in the vet profession in Scotland sadly at an all time high - see google.