Best art foundation courses for photography?

I would like to do photography at university but am considering doing an Art foundation before hand..would anyone be able to tell me where the best art foundation courses for photography are?

Thank you

Reply 1

Carnationlilyrose

18

Original post by Alice-beth

I would like to do photography at university but am considering doing an Art foundation before hand..would anyone be able to tell me where the best art foundation courses for photography are?

Thank you

The point about art foundation courses is that they cover all aspects of art to enable you to decide on your preferred specialism from a background of a breadth of knowledge. They all cover the same areas, so it doesn't matter where you go. As there is no entitlement to student finance for these courses, the majority of people do them at their local institution and live at home to save money.

Reply 2

Alice-beth

OP

Hi, okay thank you..so do you recommend me doing an Art foundation at a college as opposed to a university? I live in North Wiltshire so would consider Bath, Stroud and Bristol although these are all a commute from home they are cheaper than going into halls. I did go to University of South Wales open day and was impressed by their course but unsure if doing a Foundation degree away would be worth the cost of accommodation? I think the course is free but accommodation would need payment. I'm fairly certain that I want to do a Photography degree but not sure where and have been advised that by doing a foundation it would better prepare me for it, do you agree? Any opinions on whether it would be best to do an art foundation course in the same place where I would like to do a BA degree?

Reply 3

Carnationlilyrose

18

Original post by Alice-beth

Hi, okay thank you..so do you recommend me doing an Art foundation at a college as opposed to a university? I live in North Wiltshire so would consider Bath, Stroud and Bristol although these are all a commute from home they are cheaper than going into halls. I did go to University of South Wales open day and was impressed by their course but unsure if doing a Foundation degree away would be worth the cost of accommodation? I think the course is free but accommodation would need payment. I'm fairly certain that I want to do a Photography degree but not sure where and have been advised that by doing a foundation it would better prepare me for it, do you agree? Any opinions on whether it would be best to do an art foundation course in the same place where I would like to do a BA degree?

It doesn't matter where you do your foundation, because universities know that the financial aspect is a big influence. They aren't snobbish about where you do it - it's all about the portfolio, not where you did it. Certainly, doing a foundation course is the best thing. The majority of applicants for the best art schools (and most of the rest for that matter) will have done one, so they will be a year more professional than those who haven't, which means it's not a level playing field. You are probably best off going to the local college with the best facilities out of the ones you name and save the accommodation money for the equipment you're going to need. I don't think it matters if you do the course at the same place as where you want to do a degree. In fact, in your case, it's probably better not to, as the better art universities aren't local to you.