Home Education and University

My name is River and I'm 14 years old, A year ago i had to very abruptly leave mainstream education due to mental health problems, these have continued and due to sleep problems i am not able to return to school. In three years i really want to go to university and study Digital Film & Screen Arts, I am currently building up a portfolio full of film work, costumes, craft and art however it's very unlikely i will be able to meet the minimum entry requirements, i have heard of home education people going to university before on little or no qualifications and just hard work and experience, but does anyone know if this is possible and whether a university would even consider my application? or does anyone have anything i cold do to make it more likely they would view my application (other than qualifications)?

Some universities accept mature students without traditional qualifications, but I doubt they'd accept someone your age just on the basis of experience. Lots of people study GCSEs and A levels at home - is that something you'd be prepared to do?

Hi @RiverCat,

Like Snufkin mentioned above, it would be beneficial for you to consider taking mainstream qualifications. This would demonstrate that you have the right level of skills to help you succeed on the course, writing, literacy and math in particular at GCSE Level or a Level 2 equivalent. You have more options at Level 3, which includes A Levels and BTECs, where you can develop your area of specialisms.

You could also consider enrolling onto a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or Year 0 course where it will introduce you to a University environment as well as developing those fundamental skills, understanding and confidence before embarking on the three undergraduate programme. This usually takes place after completing a Level 3 course.

You are also completely right to work on your portfolio and pursue your areas of interests. Universities have different ways of assessing an applicants suitability but a portfolio is very common for creative subjects. We, like some of the other examples you may have heard, favour portfolio and interviews incredibly highly. However, we would feel irresponsible to offer you a place if we feel like you would struggle with certain elements of the course so may signpost you to more suitable levels of learning before enrolling onto a degree (like I've recommended above).

In short, definitely continue with your passions and your creative process but consider the wider aspects of your development and knowledge too. Most importantly, doing things that your are interested in and make you happy and taking care of yourself will help you in pursuing these ambitions too. You've got a few years to prepare for that stage of your journey so enjoy it where you can.

All the best of luck,

Lou
Marketing and Recruitment Team

Thank you, at the moment i physically can't make it into a school, even if my mental health was great as i have a sleep disorder meaning, i am not able to sleep during the night and only during the day however in about a month i will begin medication etc. for this. I will be able to gain at least an English GCSE in a year as my mum has agreed to sign me up to an online school.

'Allowance may be made, at the discretion of the University, to applicants who have faced difficulties which may have affected their performance and who might have otherwise been expected to do better. Evidence supporting claims for such circumstances..' - UCA

I am gutted that i had to leave school because i was expected to get mostly A's in all my subjects (apart form French), I really hope i get to go to a good university because i think its a place where i would thrive. I have been offered work experience at the company CoQou who do a lot of photography and business, I am luck to have a mum who has partially worked in the arts industry before so she has quite a few friends who are lending me equipment, teaching me etc.

I think just fingers crossed at the moment, thank you for your reply