Art & Design Foundation. CCW (UAL) or City and Guilds??

I discovered City and Guilds a week ago and I think the foundation course looks really really good! I went to an open day and actually prefer the small and friendly feel of the collge to when I visited CSM and CCW. The work was of a high standard and the students get alot of tutor attention compared to the other colleges! It seems like they also seem to cater to every students individual needs, like they really help you fid out and develop what your interested in. Another good thing I found, is that all the students work alongside each other, for example, the foundation students can quite easily go and look at the BA students work and discuss ideas. Just seemed like a really nice place where everyone knows everyone because its so small. The only drawback for me is the fees!! But I think its worth £6,000.

I discovered City and Guilds a week ago and I think the foundation course looks really really good! I went to an open day and actually prefer the small and friendly feel of the collge to when I visited CSM and CCW. The work was of a high standard and the students get alot of tutor attention compared to the other colleges! It seems like they also seem to cater to every students individual needs, like they really help you fid out and develop what your interested in. Another good thing I found, is that all the students work alongside each other, for example, the foundation students can quite easily go and look at the BA students work and discuss ideas. Just seemed like a really nice place where everyone knows everyone because its so small. The only drawback for me is the fees!! But I think its worth £6,000.

I'm going to City and Guilds next year; I didn't get into CCW but to be honest, I'm quite happy about that - C&G really impressed me and it's a really nice space. It's true that few people have heard of it but the ones who have - parents' friends who work in the art world or related fields, so they should know about art schools - like it a lot and the people working there and think it's a much better experience than somewhere like CCW. Really, it's about the portfolio work you produce, not the name you put on your CV. They have a really good record of getting people into their choice of BA course, so you've got a good chance of getting into somewhere more well known for BA if you wanted to.

The fees are pretty daunting, but since the alternative for me was living away from home - which would cost at least £5,000 - it seemed worth it to stay at home and go somewhere really good. And btw I'm not a private school student or anything like that (I was a bit nervous that that would be the background for most of the students - doesn't look like it though) and never would have considered applying to this place if it hadn't looked good.

Yeah, so propaganda finished. Hope that's helpful!

I'm going to City and Guilds next year; I didn't get into CCW but to be honest, I'm quite happy about that - C&G really impressed me and it's a really nice space. It's true that few people have heard of it but the ones who have - parents' friends who work in the art world or related fields, so they should know about art schools - like it a lot and the people working there and think it's a much better experience than somewhere like CCW. Really, it's about the portfolio work you produce, not the name you put on your CV. They have a really good record of getting people into their choice of BA course, so you've got a good chance of getting into somewhere more well known for BA if you wanted to.

The fees are pretty daunting, but since the alternative for me was living away from home - which would cost at least £5,000 - it seemed worth it to stay at home and go somewhere really good. And btw I'm not a private school student or anything liek that (I was a bit nervous that that would be the background for most of the students - doesn't look like it though) and never would have considered applying to this place if it hadn't looked good.

Yeah, so propaganda finished. Hope that's helpful!

I've applied to C&G... sent the letter off yesterday!! How long did it take for them to get back to you about an interview and how much notice did you get for the interview? Basically I want to add a lot of work to my portfolio that I used for CSM so I just wanna know roughly how much time I will get. They said I'll deffo be asked to come to an interview...

wow, that is so helpful! So you didn't get a place from CCW but City and Guilds offered you a place?
Well done, as they told me 300 people apply for 60 places, you did well to get in.

I'm sure it'll be amazing, as you say the work was really impressive and I really like the focus on traditional art.

However having said that I have just accepted my place on the CCW course and am not going to apply to C&G. Just because I think I need to take up the oportunity and get out of my comfort zone of small numbers! -Even though I think it will be less enojoyable!! Also I'm not sure the fee's would be worth it for me (however I can understand if you live in london already and the alternative would mean paying accomodation).

I'm not from London and accomodation and living costs are already going to cost me a small fortune!! I'm also considering spending some time abroad after the foundation (before perhaps doing a degree), and UAL is internationally renown, so could be useful.

They took a while to get back to me, but I applied back in November so they might be quicker now. My interview was in early March so I had quite a long time to wait. They're pretty prescriptive about what they want to see: no more than 2 sketchbooks, 15 A1 sheets with other work stuck on and 10 photographs of your best work on a CD so they can look at it after your interview to help them decide. Make sure your presentation is pretty neat, I got kind of told off for not keeping my work nicely presented...

Good luck anyway. My interviewer was quite critical of my work - I actually thought I wasn't going to get in - but I got a place so even if it seems harsh (and it might not at all, maybe the interviewer just didn't like me :|) just keep talking and don't take anything personally; I think that's what went well for me, they said I "had obviously done my research", which I guess is good...? Eheh.

I'd have to pay for both because I will be 19 in Sept.

CCW doesn't seem to be very friendly! I've just had an email back from them saying there will be between 26 and 36 in each class. Which is pretty bit for further education art?

I also don't like the way you're not welcome in the college studios when you don't have a studio day. I think it sets the tone for how it's going to be. They have so many students it's like they are not going to go out of their way for you, you get your allocated time slot and then that's it.

Have you got an offer from City and Guilds? And had an interview? What was it like compared to CCW? was it small and friendly and lovely?!

Well congrats to all to have been accepted in foundation diploma at CCW! I am wondering, when did you get your answer? I'm in the wait and I start to be nervous.. ahah.. Thanks x