Slade School of Fine Art Application Advice
Advice based on my successful application (for the 4 yr BA) staring 2011
For the benefit of any 2012 applicants (you poor, ****-on souls)
1. Portfolio Inspection
Book online, but ignore the time you book - the times are just to stagger the arrival - there was a large queue (that moved pretty quickly) on the day I went. The drop off isn't at the main slade HQ either, so watch out for that.
The 'strict' 15kg weight limit isn't strict at all - a man walks down the queue to check that each portfolio is light enough to lift.
You will be given a receipt with your number that tells you to return strictly AFTER 4.15 - I rocked up at half 2 and picked mine up (some people at that time hadn't had theirs inspected by that time though)
2. Interview
First of all - well done if you get this far - it's no mean feat in itself.
What did they ask?
a. After a brief introduction (to 3 tutors - each was from a different specialism) I was asked to choose a piece of work and talk to them about it: which I duly did. This part of the interview lasted half of the 20 minute total.
In this time each tutor would interrupt/chip in to my discussion and ask about what i'd said if they had anything to say. I felt that there was a tendency towards a 'final' piece. Eg. they wanted to know how work would be presented (i.e. how would you exhibit this piece?). The feeling I get is that they want to know how you take an idea to completion. So the ideas, the concepts behind your work are important, but the way you realized them (or how you think about their realization) is just as important.
The feel of the interview wasn't particularly formal - your objective as an applicant is to get into a 'group crit' situation: show them that you are a tutor-able and thoughtful individual.
b. I was then asked 3 set questions -
-why slade?
-why the 4 yr BA (as opposed to the BFA)
-what are you reading/have you read?
I tried not to dwell on the obvious (good reputation and location) and told them why I preferred the 4 yr course.
It's not a bad idea to ask them some questions (about studio space/who are the visiting tutors in the coming term?)
c. One tutor took a photo of me with a piece of the work - so that they would remember a face when deciding on who to take I presume.
At this point i pulled a cheesy grin and put my thumb up. I said to them 'why the hell did I do that!?' which garnered a laugh. It's probably not a bad thing making them laugh - you'll stick in their mind (the same could be said for crazy art school hair, but that's another issue all together)
So that's what to expect (I can't imagine the system would change much over the coming years). Don't hesitate to ask more advice, but please don't clog up the feed with which member of ****ing girls aloud you think is the hottest.
For the benefit of any 2012 applicants (you poor, ****-on souls)
1. Portfolio Inspection
Book online, but ignore the time you book - the times are just to stagger the arrival - there was a large queue (that moved pretty quickly) on the day I went. The drop off isn't at the main slade HQ either, so watch out for that.
The 'strict' 15kg weight limit isn't strict at all - a man walks down the queue to check that each portfolio is light enough to lift.
You will be given a receipt with your number that tells you to return strictly AFTER 4.15 - I rocked up at half 2 and picked mine up (some people at that time hadn't had theirs inspected by that time though)
2. Interview
First of all - well done if you get this far - it's no mean feat in itself.
What did they ask?
a. After a brief introduction (to 3 tutors - each was from a different specialism) I was asked to choose a piece of work and talk to them about it: which I duly did. This part of the interview lasted half of the 20 minute total.
In this time each tutor would interrupt/chip in to my discussion and ask about what i'd said if they had anything to say. I felt that there was a tendency towards a 'final' piece. Eg. they wanted to know how work would be presented (i.e. how would you exhibit this piece?). The feeling I get is that they want to know how you take an idea to completion. So the ideas, the concepts behind your work are important, but the way you realized them (or how you think about their realization) is just as important.
The feel of the interview wasn't particularly formal - your objective as an applicant is to get into a 'group crit' situation: show them that you are a tutor-able and thoughtful individual.
b. I was then asked 3 set questions -
-why slade?
-why the 4 yr BA (as opposed to the BFA)
-what are you reading/have you read?
I tried not to dwell on the obvious (good reputation and location) and told them why I preferred the 4 yr course.
It's not a bad idea to ask them some questions (about studio space/who are the visiting tutors in the coming term?)
c. One tutor took a photo of me with a piece of the work - so that they would remember a face when deciding on who to take I presume.
At this point i pulled a cheesy grin and put my thumb up. I said to them 'why the hell did I do that!?' which garnered a laugh. It's probably not a bad thing making them laugh - you'll stick in their mind (the same could be said for crazy art school hair, but that's another issue all together)
So that's what to expect (I can't imagine the system would change much over the coming years). Don't hesitate to ask more advice, but please don't clog up the feed with which member of ****ing girls aloud you think is the hottest.
Scroll to see replies
For me the portfolio composed of
1. recent/ongoing foundation work
2. older foundation work
3. independent/outside college work
4. drawing
5. sketchbooks/notebooks (2x foundation skbk, 2x foundation notebook, 1x independent sketchbook)
In my case, there was little painting as I work more in installation/photography. The drawing made up about 20% of the folio.
I'll send you a private message to my flickr account irina793
What I should say now that I didn't before is this-
The most important piece of advice I can give is to be yourself. Having e-mailed graduates of the school (they put their addresses on the degree show site - presumably for potential marketing rather than unsolicited questioning from annoying applicants...) this advice rings true. If you aren't what they're looking for - f**'em and move on.
1. recent/ongoing foundation work
2. older foundation work
3. independent/outside college work
4. drawing
5. sketchbooks/notebooks (2x foundation skbk, 2x foundation notebook, 1x independent sketchbook)
In my case, there was little painting as I work more in installation/photography. The drawing made up about 20% of the folio.
I'll send you a private message to my flickr account irina793
What I should say now that I didn't before is this-
The most important piece of advice I can give is to be yourself. Having e-mailed graduates of the school (they put their addresses on the degree show site - presumably for potential marketing rather than unsolicited questioning from annoying applicants...) this advice rings true. If you aren't what they're looking for - f**'em and move on.
Original post by talkingparrod
For me the portfolio composed of
1. recent/ongoing foundation work
2. older foundation work
3. independent/outside college work
4. drawing
5. sketchbooks/notebooks (2x foundation skbk, 2x foundation notebook, 1x independent sketchbook)
In my case, there was little painting as I work more in installation/photography. The drawing made up about 20% of the folio.
I'll send you a private message to my flickr account irina793
What I should say now that I didn't before is this-
The most important piece of advice I can give is to be yourself. Having e-mailed graduates of the school (they put their addresses on the degree show site - presumably for potential marketing rather than unsolicited questioning from annoying applicants...) this advice rings true. If you aren't what they're looking for - f**'em and move on.
1. recent/ongoing foundation work
2. older foundation work
3. independent/outside college work
4. drawing
5. sketchbooks/notebooks (2x foundation skbk, 2x foundation notebook, 1x independent sketchbook)
In my case, there was little painting as I work more in installation/photography. The drawing made up about 20% of the folio.
I'll send you a private message to my flickr account irina793
What I should say now that I didn't before is this-
The most important piece of advice I can give is to be yourself. Having e-mailed graduates of the school (they put their addresses on the degree show site - presumably for potential marketing rather than unsolicited questioning from annoying applicants...) this advice rings true. If you aren't what they're looking for - f**'em and move on.
Thanks a lot! I checked out your work and it's really amazing!!
Original post by talkingparrod
Advice based on my successful application (for the 4 yr BA) staring 2011
For the benefit of any 2012 applicants (you poor, ****-on souls)
1. Portfolio Inspection
Book online, but ignore the time you book - the times are just to stagger the arrival - there was a large queue (that moved pretty quickly) on the day I went. The drop off isn't at the main slade HQ either, so watch out for that.
The 'strict' 15kg weight limit isn't strict at all - a man walks down the queue to check that each portfolio is light enough to lift.
You will be given a receipt with your number that tells you to return strictly AFTER 4.15 - I rocked up at half 2 and picked mine up (some people at that time hadn't had theirs inspected by that time though)
2. Interview
First of all - well done if you get this far - it's no mean feat in itself.
What did they ask?
a. After a brief introduction (to 3 tutors - each was from a different specialism) I was asked to choose a piece of work and talk to them about it: which I duly did. This part of the interview lasted half of the 20 minute total.
In this time each tutor would interrupt/chip in to my discussion and ask about what i'd said if they had anything to say. I felt that there was a tendency towards a 'final' piece. Eg. they wanted to know how work would be presented (i.e. how would you exhibit this piece?). The feeling I get is that they want to know how you take an idea to completion. So the ideas, the concepts behind your work are important, but the way you realized them (or how you think about their realization) is just as important.
The feel of the interview wasn't particularly formal - your objective as an applicant is to get into a 'group crit' situation: show them that you are a tutor-able and thoughtful individual.
b. I was then asked 3 set questions -
-why slade?
-why the 4 yr BA (as opposed to the BFA)
-what are you reading/have you read?
I tried not to dwell on the obvious (good reputation and location) and told them why I preferred the 4 yr course.
It's not a bad idea to ask them some questions (about studio space/who are the visiting tutors in the coming term?)
c. One tutor took a photo of me with a piece of the work - so that they would remember a face when deciding on who to take I presume.
At this point i pulled a cheesy grin and put my thumb up. I said to them 'why the hell did I do that!?' which garnered a laugh. It's probably not a bad thing making them laugh - you'll stick in their mind (the same could be said for crazy art school hair, but that's another issue all together)
So that's what to expect (I can't imagine the system would change much over the coming years). Don't hesitate to ask more advice, but please don't clog up the feed with which member of ****ing girls aloud you think is the hottest.
For the benefit of any 2012 applicants (you poor, ****-on souls)
1. Portfolio Inspection
Book online, but ignore the time you book - the times are just to stagger the arrival - there was a large queue (that moved pretty quickly) on the day I went. The drop off isn't at the main slade HQ either, so watch out for that.
The 'strict' 15kg weight limit isn't strict at all - a man walks down the queue to check that each portfolio is light enough to lift.
You will be given a receipt with your number that tells you to return strictly AFTER 4.15 - I rocked up at half 2 and picked mine up (some people at that time hadn't had theirs inspected by that time though)
2. Interview
First of all - well done if you get this far - it's no mean feat in itself.
What did they ask?
a. After a brief introduction (to 3 tutors - each was from a different specialism) I was asked to choose a piece of work and talk to them about it: which I duly did. This part of the interview lasted half of the 20 minute total.
In this time each tutor would interrupt/chip in to my discussion and ask about what i'd said if they had anything to say. I felt that there was a tendency towards a 'final' piece. Eg. they wanted to know how work would be presented (i.e. how would you exhibit this piece?). The feeling I get is that they want to know how you take an idea to completion. So the ideas, the concepts behind your work are important, but the way you realized them (or how you think about their realization) is just as important.
The feel of the interview wasn't particularly formal - your objective as an applicant is to get into a 'group crit' situation: show them that you are a tutor-able and thoughtful individual.
b. I was then asked 3 set questions -
-why slade?
-why the 4 yr BA (as opposed to the BFA)
-what are you reading/have you read?
I tried not to dwell on the obvious (good reputation and location) and told them why I preferred the 4 yr course.
It's not a bad idea to ask them some questions (about studio space/who are the visiting tutors in the coming term?)
c. One tutor took a photo of me with a piece of the work - so that they would remember a face when deciding on who to take I presume.
At this point i pulled a cheesy grin and put my thumb up. I said to them 'why the hell did I do that!?' which garnered a laugh. It's probably not a bad thing making them laugh - you'll stick in their mind (the same could be said for crazy art school hair, but that's another issue all together)
So that's what to expect (I can't imagine the system would change much over the coming years). Don't hesitate to ask more advice, but please don't clog up the feed with which member of ****ing girls aloud you think is the hottest.
Firstly, congratz on your place! Thats so incredible!!! I applied this year and didn't get in, but I showed them my portfolio at a later date and a tutor explained some ways to improve it! But can I just ask how old you are? And where did you do foundation? I'm going to go away, do a foundation, the re-apply next year.. It would be my absolute dream to go there, the way they teach is so different to anywhere else. If possible, can you PM your flickr to me too? Would be helpful to see a successful applicants portfolio to get an idea of what they look for. Thankyou!
Original post by cocacola123
Firs, the way they teach is so different to anywhere else.!
in what way?
Original post by cocacola123
can you PM your flickr to me too? Would be helpful to see a successful applicants portfolio to get an idea of what they look for. Thankyou!
I'm 19, did foundation at Stourbridge College, yeah can do that. all the best.
Original post by cocacola123
Firstly, congratz on your place! Thats so incredible!!! I applied this year and didn't get in, but I showed them my portfolio at a later date and a tutor explained some ways to improve it! But can I just ask how old you are? And where did you do foundation? I'm going to go away, do a foundation, the re-apply next year.. It would be my absolute dream to go there, the way they teach is so different to anywhere else. If possible, can you PM your flickr to me too? Would be helpful to see a successful applicants portfolio to get an idea of what they look for. Thankyou!
hi, did you book an appointment so that they could go through your portfolio with you to help you next year? how did you convince them to see it again? cos i was worried to ask for feedback and not sure if they would respond.
Original post by talkingparrod
I'm 19, did foundation at Stourbridge College, yeah can do that. all the best.
Thankyou!! That would be great
Original post by rusla
hi, did you book an appointment so that they could go through your portfolio with you to help you next year? how did you convince them to see it again? cos i was worried to ask for feedback and not sure if they would respond.
I was on a short course there so basically took it along with me to one of the sessions and the tutor had a look! He wasn't part of the admissions team or anything but he had studied at the college so was pretty helpful anyway. I'm sure there must be a way to get feedback though? On another week though, we were tutored by someone who told me he had been viewing the portfolios and he said the one thing that they looked for was a core interest.. Don't really get what that means but thats what he said
Original post by mhlc
I was wondering since my paintings are really big, I have to photograph them......
Thank You
Thank You
As far as I know all the work in an international student's portfoilo is photographed? (So that they don't have to return it) - Check the website though...
But in this case I'd assume you want to show some sketchbook work for variety.
As for bringing them along, I thought most international students have interviews on the phone. But if you make it over the same advice applies - i.e. bring sketchbooks.
Original post by talkingparrod
As far as I know all the work in an international student's portfoilo is photographed? (So that they don't have to return it) - Check the website though...
But in this case I'd assume you want to show some sketchbook work for variety.
As for bringing them along, I thought most international students have interviews on the phone. But if you make it over the same advice applies - i.e. bring sketchbooks.
But in this case I'd assume you want to show some sketchbook work for variety.
As for bringing them along, I thought most international students have interviews on the phone. But if you make it over the same advice applies - i.e. bring sketchbooks.
Thanks! Yeah I will be living in the Uk next year so I can go deliver it. Will they keep my portfolio? because I was planning on using it for other schools too..!
thanks so much
Wow, this sounds pretty much like my interviews at other art schools - not as terrifying as I'd expect. Well done on getting in!
Hi, thank you for posting this, it's been helpful.
I got an interview at Slade last year and completely buggered up my interview as I was so nervous, I sounded like an absolute idiot even though I'd prepared what to say and usually compose myself much better. I'm now taking a Foundation year and re-apply next year, hopefully that may help. Could I possibly get a link of your work to know what standard they are after please?
Also does anyone know if re-applying affects your chances of getting in?
I got an interview at Slade last year and completely buggered up my interview as I was so nervous, I sounded like an absolute idiot even though I'd prepared what to say and usually compose myself much better. I'm now taking a Foundation year and re-apply next year, hopefully that may help. Could I possibly get a link of your work to know what standard they are after please?
Also does anyone know if re-applying affects your chances of getting in?
Thank you so much! I wasn't thinking of the Slade at all until last week when my art teacher pulled me aside and told me I should think of applying, and now I'm terrified. Could I maybe see your flickr too? I have no idea what kind of standard the applicants should be at apparently my college got a girl into the Slade before so I know it's possible but it was years before me...
apparently my college got a girl into the Slade before so I know it's possible but it was years before me...Original post by Daihatsu
Could I possibly get a link of your work to know what standard they are after please?
Also does anyone know if re-applying affects your chances of getting in?
Also does anyone know if re-applying affects your chances of getting in?
Reapplying doesn't affect your chances as far as i know - I seem to remember someone asking at the open day I went to.
And if anything you'd be better off because you have the experience from last time to learn from.
I'll link you to my flickr too x
Hiya can you send me a link to your flickr too
thanks x
thanks x
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