[ThePipSide]

i need some unbiased advice on which Foundation Diploma in Art and Design to go to this September

I have two offers, one from University Kingston and the other from UCA Epsom but don't know which to choose. Their nearly 65 places apart on the league table with Kingston at number 9 but the league table covers all 5 UCA colleges in one position and i only want to go to one!

Kingston has the better reputation but i didn't reckon much to the end of year show, thinking it quite dull and boring and not a great display of creativity and skill. Epsom is sometimes deemed the "take anyone" college but the show seemed much more interesting with greater attention to detail. UCA has more students in the course but isn't the course meant to be more independent anyway??

i would know 3 people at Epsom from my social group in comparison to one person from my a level art class at Kingston with no-one from my social group. i want to make new friends but i want them to be the right sort of people - i feel the people getting through into Kingston are a bit...well, in the words of other people i know, pretentious and snobby where as im really down to earth and dont reckon id fit in.

anyone have experiences of choosing between these two or going to one??? i dont know if to go with my head which says Kingston coz thats what the stats say or go with my heart which says Epsom coz it seemed to demonstrate art closer to that that i like to produce, in a much larger and friendlier atmosphere. both seem to get people into very good universities including my favourite for degree level, Falmouth, Cornwall,

i'm just not sure :/ Any tips, ideas or answers would be really really appreciated thankyou

[babsiloi]

if you can already state so clearly what your head says and you heart says...then...it'd be clear for me...follow your heart...I guess you'd really need it for this coming year

[crook]

I'd usually say follow your heart. Definitely not in this case though.

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear you didn't like the end of year show.
Secondly, my experience is of graphics at Kingston, so this might not apply to other disciplines. Having said that, I've had a fantastic time this year, and can barely say a bad word about the course. The tutors are incredibly committed and generally excellent. We had tutorials that went on until 3am one day, so that they could fulfil their promise of seeing everyone.

I definitely wouldn't say that the reason to go to Kingston is cos the stats say you should; when I arrived I didn't know anyone on the course, but I've found pretty much everyone to be really friendly and completely down to earth. Obviously it differs from year to year, but I think the interview process they have makes sure they get fairly sound people. One of the reasons I chose Kingston was because I thought it was unpretentious! (mainly compared to some of the UAL colleges.)

Out of the 30 of us in graphics, 22 are staying at Kingston because of the experience we've had this year.

On the other hand, my friends mum studied at Epsom in Foundation fine art this year, and she's had a fairly good experience. Both are really good places, you should be really pleased about getting such good offers. Kingstons better though :P