So in first year I was pretty much in 9-5 Mon-Fri and you get to cover all three pathways; embroidery, constructed and print. You can work in the uni longer than 9-5 though as it stays open in evenings and Saturdays.
There was a lot of tutor contact time in first year and technical demonstrations, lectures etc, but more independent study time is introduced in 2nd and 3rd year. 2nd year I was probably in uni 3 days a week and the other 2 were independent study. Final year depends on the project; trends/final project/dissertation, but there are points where you have a group tutorial or one-to-one once a week and the rest is self directed, but people were pretty much still in uni all day everyday to use the facilities - but this is your choice, some people work prefer working from home if they don't need the uni facilities.
Equipment wise you'd need all your own art supplies; sketchbooks, pencils, pens, paints, inks... whatever materials you like to use. This is all available from our on campus art shop and the guys in there are super helpful so if there's ever anything you need that they don't stock, they'd look at getting it in for you.
For screen printing, equipment is provided. You'll be able to use the uni's screens, squeegees, pigments and dyes. The only thing you'd need to purchase is the fabric/paper you print on.
Digital printing you will need to buy the fabric and you pay per meter that you print on the machines.
The art shop also sells basic fabrics i.e. plain white cotton for printing, but for anything else there's a couple of great stores near by, either
Fancy Silk or
Barry's FabricsFor constructed and embroidery you have full access to all the looms, sewing machines, embroidery & embellishing machines. There have a large stock of threads and yarns and scrap materials, buttons etc. You'll also learn how to make and dye your own yarns. But again any other fabrics you plan on using you'll have to purchase.
I hope this helps!
Have you any idea what you'd like to specialise in yet?
Lydia
BCU