[JordJames]

Just finished my AS year and am waiting for my results for English Lit, ICT, Moving Image Arts, and Graphics. Should get A's and B's, and am hoping to go somewhere with Graphics. I'm really interested in the University of Edinburgh and doing Graphic Design at the College of Art, but really don't have a clue if I'm just being ridiculous and completely unrealistic. Also, since it's a 4 year course there, is a foundation course required, or does the first year count as a foundation course equivalent?

Here's any graphics work produced so far:
AS Coursework: http://jamesrobinsongraphics.tumblr.com/
AS Exam: http://jamesrobinsonasgraphicsexam.tumblr.com/

[zenb]

I've got an unconditional offer to study Graphic Design at the ECA this september, so the application process is very fresh in my mind!

I'll cut to the chase - Yes, I think you have a good chance of being accepted. You can apply for year 1 without a foundation degree - year 1 at Edinburgh is an actual foundation degree .

I've looked through your work and from what i see you show good technical and conceptual ability and you can communicate yourself well.
Now, what Edinburgh (and most courses) look for is your ideas and problem solving, and what's REALLY important is that you demonstrate in your portfolio (including your mini one, more on that later) that you can show development. It's a bit of a pain I know but it's crucial.

Here's how the application works.
They don't care too much about your grades (or at least they don't seem to). You'll be required to satisfy Edinburgh's minimum 3 B's though. However your success is mostly determined by your statement and portfolio - which is what we like!
Note, the Edinburgh application is lengthy and requires work - more than other unis in my experience.

Stage 1 - Get your UCAS application in, write a cracking statement, and read about the course to get a feel for the ECAs ethos and play to it.

Stage 2 - Mini portfolio. It's my belief that almost everybody gets invited to send a 'mini portfolio'. It's 25 images uploaded to the ECAs website; 10 development images, 10 final pieces (you might need to make more work) and 5 artist inspirations (don't be afraid to show non-graphic designers) This portfolio is a real pain because you can only upload an image of something like 800x800px which is rather limiting. You may need to spend some time devising a way to use the small square as effectively as possible.

Stage 3 - Applicant Day. After a while you'll be notified if you make it through the online assessment. You'll be one of thousands of applications to the ECA so be patient. The applicant day is a day held at the ECA in March usually. It's an opportunity for applicants to come to the University (other arrangements can be made if you cant travel) and show your full portfolio and essay. This is where you go all out. Put your best work, and make it look as beautiful as you can. Don't discredit your years of work with a shoddy display - if it means buying a bigger portfolio, do it. Also, don't forget sketchbooks if you have good ones.
You'll be also required to write a short essay. I can't say exactly what your subject will be but it's pretty straight forward - basically a written evaluation of your work. Having said that, make sure you express yourself as eloquently as possible - they want to see you can speak the language of design.

It's unlikely you'll have an interview of any kind, so don't worry about that.

After what feels like a very long time (usually a couple months) you'll be notified by UCAS Track of your offer in the standard way.
If you get offered, congrats! The offer/applicant ratio is pretty steep, around 1/30 I believe - but I think you have a very good chance.
I don't believe they usually offer unconditional offers unless you already have your A Levels (like myself) so don't be disheartened if you receive a conditional offer. The continuation of the acceptance is through the Edinburgh Uni website as it would be to any other subject.

That's a lot of info - whoops! Anyway I hope you apply - Edinburgh and the ECA are fantastic and it's an awesome city. Maybe I'll see you next September

Ben

PS - Watermark your work!! Be careful about putting your work online pre-application. It's all too easy to steal.

[PinguN18]

God, That's a lot of effort.

I had one portfolio interview for one of the top graphic design courses in the country, at the best specialist art college in England. Our entry was MMP for BTEC don't know what that equates to for A-levels.

Foundations are a good idea when you've come from A-level, as it helps with getting you into a better creative process, which a creative degree uses. I know a few people on my course, struggled with this coming straight from a-levels. Whereas us who had come from foundation or BTEC had no problem.

Also, industry tend to like people who have come from more professional-based courses, where you do proper industry style briefs, rather then one where you've experimented with a letter for a month. I don't know what the course is like at ECA but I would recommend keeping this in mind when applying, if Graphic Design is where you see your career heading.