So far i’ve come to the conclusion that what I think I’d be most interested in doing a degree in next year is Fine Art. I also know that I don’t particularly want to be studying in London for a few reasons, the main ones being that I’ll most likely be living and working in London after I finish my degree anyway so if I don’t take the opportunity to live in new parts of England that I otherwise might not experience now, I never will, and more over, London is bloody expensive, especially as a student. I also think I want a course unlike the one at Goldsmiths or Manchester that is a little bit directed, instead of being given no set projects etc because for me to actually get on with stuff I sometimes need deadlines and starting points.
I am also not 100% sure yet that I even want to progress on and do a degree, I’m fairly sure I do but not entirely.
Leeds university pros:
- Amazing, inspiring city
- 24/7 studio access
- Fully student led exhibitions (independence)
- Study abroad and work placement
Leeds university cons:
- ’50/50 split between art and academics’ – too much theory
Newcastle university pros:
- Sunday times joint 1st in UK ranking
- 95% student satisfaction
- Study abroad and work placement
- Fine art building in same building as Hatton Gallery
- Big open studios
- Erika Servin, lecturer & printmaking technician, v inspring work
- Own studio space
Newcastle university cons:
- 4 year course (too long)
Bristol UWE pros:
- Study abroad
- 24/7 studio access
- Seems quite 3D based (versatile)
- Spike Island is not just undergraduate, but also professional studios
Bristol UWE cons:
- Very budget, small, not open plan studios – ‘Spike Island’
- Maybe a bit too 3D based?
Cardiff Met pros:
- Good facilities
- Good contact time
Cardiff Met cons:
- Very far from home
Oxford Brookes pros:
- More of an easy option because already settled in here and already know I like it
- New arts building 2020
- Lovely city
Oxford Brookes Cons:
- Missing out on an opportunity to experience new places and cities and meet new people
- New building won’t be done until 2020
Leeds Arts Uni pros:
- Amazing facilities – north lighting
- Great city and location
- Sheila Gaffney programme director seems good
Leeds Arts Uni cons:
- More of an arts college than an actual uni – less of a diverse group of skills and people
Ophelia Bate 