Fine Art or Design and Technology A level

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DD has just started Y12 is still finalising her a levels - doing maths and physics and trying to decide between fine art or DT. She likes both, did well in both at GCSE, and has no idea what she wants to do in the future uni or job wise.

Things like architecture, product or industrial design, or engineering are possibles but she really doesn't know. Over the summer she was also wondering about doing an art foundation. She's researched lots of courses, and unis, and also been in touch with a few to clarify requirements. The requirements seem to suggest art and DT are OK - for some courses they require portfolio rather than specifically art of DT. I imagine for engineering DT might be more preferrable, but they don't actually say so, as she has maths and physics.

Any one with advice or a perspective to give?

I would say go for DT, as it embodies more digital skills than fine art that can lead into to other career fields.

I myself have completed an art foundation, you do this after completing your A levels/BTEC Diploma. Most art and design bachelor courses at uni require the art foundation qualification as an entry requirement. The course helps to build your portfolio for interview, also helps you give an insight on what you want to study further. I enjoyed this course alot actually, during the beginning we got to work on alot of projects in various areas of art and design, towards the end of the year you work on a final major project either in the fields of fashion, graphic design, fine art, sculpture, etc.

Hope this helps

It would depend on what discipline of Engineering as to which 3rd A level is best. DT can be very useful. Or possibly a subject such as Geography is worth considering.

What would the Art Foundation be used for? It is not needed for Engineering degrees or Architecture so I assume she would then look at an art degree of some description requiring a portfolio. If she wants a job: go for Engineering or Design. Art for pleasure! Architecture - a bit of both!

dd is taking a Creative subject for A level and is now Y13. When we visited the A level exhibition last year the Product Designers were designing houses for first time buyers and the Fine Art students doing traditional paintings. The former seemed to have more real life applications but at this level it is really her decision.

Depends if she enjoys art for arts sake, or sees it as a job opportunity.

DD is doing Art alongside English and Geography - wants to teach English. Art is her release, her fun... Sketching, mixed media, pastels, impressionism, the subject she enjoys a lot, so is never a chore.

Product designers are designing houses - less work for Architects then! Just live in a product!

Don't knock Art. I did an Art Foundation course, then a degree and now earn a very nice living from my Art thank you. I know plenty of people who have studied Art and sprung from there into Film, Animation, Graphic Design, Textiles, DT, Book Publishing and others owning there own greetings card company. We all earn very well.

Art is like anything. You have to have an idea about what to do with it and be tenacious and incredibly hard working.

My DD is studying Product Design and Technology. She did PD, Maths and English at Alevel. She now wishes she had done Physics instead of English as the course has quite a bit of mechanical and electrical engineering in it. She really isn't good at drawing, didn't do art at GCSE and it really hasn't held her back. Most of the design is done on computers so not essential.