[Vonnie406]

Hi

I am 52(!) and have suddenly made the decision that I am going to do this Art Foundation that I have been wanting to do for, oh, 20 years or so haha!

I live in Hertfordshire. Used to work in the City as a Legal PA, now work locally in a similar capacity. It's a stressful job being a PA and I really need a change! It has been such a dream of mine to do this but I've kept putting it off as it will be very hard financially but it's come to the point that I feel I just have to.

I made this decision yesterday and don't have a lot of time to apply\find out the things I need to know so I'm hoping for some advice here

My local college offers various courses and I am unclear who much it matters which I embark on.

I am thinking of taking the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Edexcel) as this specifically says it is geared towards Mature Students. I don't have any A levels but was accepted on such a course a few years ago on strength of portfolio\interview (financial circumstances meant I couldn't take it up).

However I notice some other courses - BTecs - level 1, 2, 3.

What I haven't had time to work out, so I am hoping you can help me is whether it matters which I take. Obviously the BTec route would take a lot longer. The foundation is 1 year FT or 2 years PT. The BTec would take 4 years to do 1, 2, 3.

I don't really know what I should do. Does the Foundation get you into a Uni Art & Design course? Do you need the BTec? Is the BTec in some way equivalent to a degree - 4 years seems a long time just to get INTO uni?

Sorry for not knowing how it all works - grateful for any help and advice.

Thanks : D

[carnationlilyrose]

(Original post by Vonnie406)
Hi

I am 52(!) and have suddenly made the decision that I am going to do this Art Foundation that I have been wanting to do for, oh, 20 years or so haha!

I live in Hertfordshire. Used to work in the City as a Legal PA, now work locally in a similar capacity. It's a stressful job being a PA and I really need a change! It has been such a dream of mine to do this but I've kept putting it off as it will be very hard financially but it's come to the point that I feel I just have to.

I made this decision yesterday and don't have a lot of time to apply\find out the things I need to know so I'm hoping for some advice here

My local college offers various courses and I am unclear who much it matters which I embark on.

I am thinking of taking the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Edexcel) as this specifically says it is geared towards Mature Students. I don't have any A levels but was accepted on such a course a few years ago on strength of portfolio\interview (financial circumstances meant I couldn't take it up).

However I notice some other courses - BTecs - level 1, 2, 3.

What I haven't had time to work out, so I am hoping you can help me is whether it matters which I take. Obviously the BTec route would take a lot longer. The foundation is 1 year FT or 2 years PT. The BTec would take 4 years to do 1, 2, 3.

I don't really know what I should do. Does the Foundation get you into a Uni Art & Design course? Do you need the BTec? Is the BTec in some way equivalent to a degree - 4 years seems a long time just to get INTO uni?

Sorry for not knowing how it all works - grateful for any help and advice.

Thanks : D

Firstly, good for you! I usually deal with this from the point of view of sixth form students and mature students aren't within my area of expertise, but I can add a few things. Your best bet, though, is to speak to the college asap. The course I think you probably want is the one year foundation course, which is the usual route into an art degree. Its aim is to help you build up a portfolio and decide on a pathway for your degree. Universities will make you an offer based on your portfolio and the offer is pass, or sometimes merit (not heard of one asking for a distinction, but it's possible, I suppose) in the foundation course, on top of your other qualifications. You should contact universities you're interested in about this, though, because your lack of A levels or equivalent could be a problem, although I imagine the exams you must have taken to become a legal PA will have value. You really need this from the horse's mouth, rather from us on here. I assume you are aware that as the foundation course is classed as further education not higher, it isn't eligible for a student loan. The fees are lower than university fees, though. I really do wish you luck with it. It was a dream of mine for ages, until my son did one and I realised my idea of art was a bit passe!