University talks.....

[IsabeauMichelle]

Blimey, this bit is hard work.

What do we dooooo? Honestly, none of us have any idea, we are a mass of confusion

DD doesn't know whether she wants to go or not, what she wants to study if she does. She's currently doing a BTEC Level 3 diploma in photography, which she is amazing at, she's hugely creative and artistic, but also did brilliantly in her GCSE's.

When she chose photography, the other option was archeology, and now she's thinking about following that path - but I don't know how useful that would be, although I'm pretty sure she'd love it.

Please does anyone have any advice? I didn't go to university, it's really hard for me to help her with this. Obviously it goes without saying that I will support her whatever she wants to do.

Who can she talk to to get some unbiased advice?

How old is she?

When you don't know what you want to do, encourage a gap year. Get some cash in your pocket, go on a long holiday, and think about your options. I've never seen a gap year be a bad thing. It is a big decision and shouldn't be rushed.

I don't know but photography is an awesome degree. She could also specialise in press & editorial photograph or marine/natural history photography. Fashion photography is also on the rise.

Maude she's 17, 18 in November. I have encouraged her to take a gap year, she's starting her first job in April, alongside college, and I want her to experience some money in her pocket too, we are not well off.

Unexpected she's a brilliant photographer. She has her own website, and has taken photographs for 2 weddings, one a huge Muslim affair.

Awful, I think the idea of an art degree scares her a bit - she's not fond of the history of art section on her course!

Thanks all, by the way

It wouldn't hurt to arrange a chat with the admissions people at a University and an art college or with someone in the appropriate departments just to get a feel of what the courses are and what would be expected.

I would have thought photographic skill would be extremely useful for an archaeologist as well.

If she did like the art college idea then Glasgow College of Art has the cirriculum notes

www.gsa.ac.uk/media/1007567/FINE-ART-BA-Hons-Fine-Art.pdf

I would have thought photographic skill would be extremely useful for an archaeologist as well.

Not really - Archaeology at university is a fusion of biology and history. It is much more likely that she would need essay subjects at A Level, with biology if she were apply for a science-heavy course.

Archaeology may not be a possibility with just photography at a quality university.

Looking at various entry requirements it depends on the degree BSc requires 3 a levels including a science and the BA requires 3 A levels including a humanity. I wasn't suggesting photography as a requirement just as a useful skill for recording at digs. The move towards remote imaging techniques like lidar and computer processing techniques would suggest a move away from biology towards computing and physics.

Can I ask - why would your daughter enjoy an archaeology degree if she is currently disliking a History of Art focus?

The two can be very similar. DS1 did a combined Arch/Anth degree which included History of Art modules.

What about a photojournalism degree? Most have optional modules covering everything from fashion to politics to sport to travel photography.

If she wants to be a professional photographer then I'd question whether Uni was appropriate at all. Isn't photography more of a trade?

Very fair point Jackie.

I was running a press event last week and the photojournalist from the Press Association who turned up was an 18 year old on an apprenticeship.

Would anything like that be of interest to her?

She'd struggle to get into most Universities without A'levels or at least a foundation/ access course. Maybe she could do a photography apprenticeship, or get a job in a photographers as an assistant to see how she finds it and do A' levels at night school, keeping her options open?
If she does want to go down the Uni route, encourage her to do "traditional' subjects, sciences, maths, English, history, geography etc. They are known as facilitating subjects, and are often seen as more desirable by Universities than a GCSE / A level in the undergraduate subject. For example to study psychology at uni, a psychology GCSE or A level is not needed, sciences, maths, English would be seen as more preferable.

Hi OP, do what scares you. If it's a challenge it needs to be a little scary. A degree is a discipline, so succeeding at "less interesting" parts of the course is part of that. When you have a talent run with it. If it turns out not to be for her, she can do a postgraduate course in something else.

If photography is her passion I'd suggest an art foundation course post sixth form work experience and build up a fantastic portfolio to apply for a photography degree. Please talk to the school too as they know her strengths . There are plenty of access courses if she changes her mind where those without the right a level qualifications can do a years study before startin a degree although not in all subjects. Good luck.

Art college wold be an option, with a focus on photography, but I agree it's more vocational than academic.

Maybe cast around for third level courses that offer a more vocational approach with a heavy focus on photography than the traditional academic degree courses?

I have a cousin who is a police photographer (crime scenes, etc) but I don't know how she got into that. (Sorry). I also knew another mum years ago who had combined archaeology with photography, spent time in Egypt on digs recording artifacts, sites, etc. But she had an archaeology degree and a portfolio that got her the archaeology-photography gig. She set up her own successful baby and wedding photography studio business when she had small children. This was definitely the family's second income though a nice outlet for her creativity.

Faithless sorry but you are wrong about needing A Levels to go to uni.

The number of students going with BTechs is increasing and you can get into fairly decent Unis too.

facts HERE