Art foundation course

Hi! I'm a student currently taking GCSE exams

I was told from several people that it is possible to take art&design foundation course after doing AS course and skipping A2 course. I heard one of them had done that herself too but I wasnt able to get further information or ask her any questions and I hope to get it answered through this forum. :smile:

I checked on UCAS and it says art&design foundation course can be taken from yr11/yr12, but on the chelsea college of art and design, and Central Saint Martin ( the 2 options I want to take the foundation course at) website it says: to apply for the course I need portofolio of work, 3 GCSE'S (grade c and above), and 1 GCE/ALEVEL. So does that mean it isnt possible to take the foundation course after AS course?

Becasue you can only get an Alevel by doing AS and A2. But how come I was told you could?

Does that mean I have to get an (1) Alevel by the end of the AS course then I can then apply for foundation course?

Sorry that was very long and confusing. i;m confused too :s
your advice and help is desperately needed!
Thank you soooooo much!

Reply 1

tigeresque

I think if you are applying to art colleges such as Chelsea and Central Saint Martins, which are very difficult to get into, you will be at a big disadvantage to only do AS art.. Usually admission to these college is done by portfolio, and the more art you have done prior to applying, the better the chances :smile:

So i guess you will probably be allowed to apply after AS, but I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be advisable.
However, I'm no expert and I don't really know the specifics for the London colleges. Why is it you don't want to do the full two years, if you don't mind me asking :smile:

Reply 2

Aiko

Despite what the grading requirements state, the primary emphasis will be placed on your portfolio of work. It's not even necessary to possess an art or design A-Level. However, it's usually best advised to demonstrate your commitment and partial understanding of art and design practice by completing your A-Level. In addition, like tigeresque has stated, you will have the opportunity to produce more work during A-Level, and to receive feedback from your teacher. This is invaluable. In the mean time, I would recommend watching these videos:

http://www.arts.ac.uk/international/prospective/47143.htm

They're intended for international students, but apply to all prospective applicants.

Hope this helps. :smile:

Reply 3

Aiko

To clarify, my above post is referring to an A-Level that is art or design related. Although it isn't explicitly stated, CSM and Chelsea will prefer applicants that have undergone an art or design A-Level, even though any subject at A-Level is technically sufficient to meet their requirements. As mentioned, it's mainly the portfolio that will determine your acceptance.

Edit: Oh yes, an AS alone doesn't equate to much. It would only be useful to increase your UCAS points, which doesn't apply here. You really need to finish your second year (A2) for the 'full' A-Level, to gain proper consideration.

Reply 4

Rlee5

Thank you for both your helps :smile:

I;ve never joined a forum before, this is so useful!
Anyway..
erm I want to go straight into art foundation course after AS course because -
Now that I have finished the GCSE course and I;m currently taking the exams, we have to start choosing our Alevel subjects we want to study next year. We are recommended to choose 4 subjects and I thought.... hmm... i dont really need any other alevels other than art to go into art uni because its not like we need biology or geography. So i thought this was rather pointless... well not pointless.. not waste of time but you know what I mean? However I didnt therefore want to not do my Alevels, becuase this wouldnt be very good for me and my future, and I still wish to carry on with my education.
When I heard recently that it was possible to take the art foundation course after the AS course, I thought this would be really good because then I can still atleast get some AS qualification as well as save a whole year by taking the foundation course earlier, spending more time on art and what I want to do for my career rather than spending it on biology, geography etc which wont be that necessary. I would rather spend extra time preparing portofolio, going to galleries, doing art etc rather than having to go through the stress of other subjects for another 2 years.
If the portofolio is the main thing that they look at, then as long as I have a well prepared portofolio and 4 AS qualifications (planning to take french, maths, art and dont know about 4th yet) and good GCSE results then it shouldnt be too diffficult? the Alevels wont count so much anyway.
I love art and have a strong passion for it and I dont think I can wait another 2 years to take the foundation course, and thats why I want to take it as soon as I can, after AS.

I would love to hear more of everyone's advise, help , and I especially hope to listen to those who have possibly taken their art foundation course just after AS course too ! Thank you so much !!! :smile:

Reply 5

rachellg

I did my AS year but dropped out at the start of A2, but I got into an art foundation course.
In the interview he told me 'you're supposed to have 2 A2 levels, but I'll take a look at your portfolio anyway' and he looked at my AS and GCSE grades, which were ok to good
and I didn't do art beyond GCSE
I think they definitely focus on the portfolio more than anything, and also on you personally, how enthusiastic you seem to do the course. I think they'd much rather take on someone who has a big passion for art and is really eager to learn new skills and try hard, than someone who has excellent grades but comes off as indifferent

Reply 6

Rlee5

oh okay so it would be better with A2 levels, but as long as you have a well prepared portofolio then your safe!? kool well then I think I'll do that! woohoo!
but then is it possible to leave school after AS?? are you aloud to just leave???
becuase I dont go to a college but a full time sixth form and secondary school....
they cant stop us i guess??
Does that mean I wont be proper graduating sixth form ?
I dont understand how this all works...

Reply 7

tea_cakes

A Levels are useful, don't dismiss them! A subject such as English will help you with essay writing which you will need in your art foundation, degree. You could take photography which can be very art based and useful to show you're a well rounded art candidate. Don't dismiss them, they can be very useful and interesting.

Reply 8

tigeresque

I see why you would only want to do the A level for one year :smile:

Although it is not a reason to do a subject, having interest in other cultural areas such as Literature and music shows in your art work and makes your responses rather more informed, in my opinion, so doing a levels does in some ways help with art.
Also, have you considered a Btec in say Art and Design? A lot of 6th form/local art colleges should do these and they account for 3 A levels (i think). Might be worth looking into :smile:

I think they last for three years, so would help you build a good portfolio and get onto a better foundation. Good luck!

Reply 9

kk8899

hi,

i know a guy just finished his as level, and was accepted to do a design degree(no need todo foundation) in a good design uni!!

so it is possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but i will apply to more foundation uni/college,may be 4-6 individaully, to increse your chance. :biggrin:

Reply 10

Rlee5

tigeresque

I see why you would only want to do the A level for one year :smile:

I think they last for three years, so would help you build a good portfolio and get onto a better foundation. Good luck!

Couldnt I show that i have interest in other cultural ideas such as music by showing grade 8 piano exam certificate, imedia diploma level 2 etc?
I heard these were all very useful too .
Thanks for telling me about BTEC I;ve never heard of it before and I have done some research on the internet :smile:

Reply 11

Rlee5

kk8899

oh yes definately applying for more than one foundation college! :smile:

I want to apply for quite a several including, Central Saint Martin, Chelsea college of art and desgin, and Kingston College. But I would definately prefer to take the foundation at London .

Reply 12

tigeresque

Rlee5

Oh yeah definitely :biggrin:

Those things are great! I didn't mean you had to show qualifications for culteral interest, I think if you are aware of culture and things it will show in your work :biggrin:

Hope your research was productive :smile:

Reply 13

da Vinci

Just a thought, what would happen if you decided to change your career path to something else, perhaps something that may require A levels. It is always good to have A levels just incase! you still do learn a lot and sixth form has been fun socially!

Reply 14

Rlee5

Yes alot of people had asked me that but I dont think I will change my mind becuase it is something I have chosen to do ever since I was a little girl. I had never changed my mind. But yes true you never know wot might happen.
I just got an email from Wimbledon college of art and design saying:
I have spoken to the Course Director for the Foundation Diploma and although he has said it has been possible in the past for us to consider applicants with AS Level qualifications if their portfolio is a high standard. However, these students will encounter a problem if/ when they apply for BA as they will most certainly need the full A levels.

hmm... so I guess I am going to have to take Alevels now.. cos all though foundation course is possible, it would be difficult when getting into BA.

Does any one know where I could take Alevel Textiles course externally? our school has more academic subjects and we dont have textiles which I;'d really love to take. But I dont want to move school and I wish to stay here for sixth form. I am looking for a college, school or anywhere where I can take Alevel textiles course during the evening, after school (as I have to go to my own school) , or in the weekend?

Reply 15

KTpie

Rlee5

I just got an email from Wimbledon college of art and design saying:
I have spoken to the Course Director for the Foundation Diploma and although he has said it has been possible in the past for us to consider applicants with AS Level qualifications if their portfolio is a high standard. However, these students will encounter a problem if/ when they apply for BA as they will most certainly need the full A levels.

Rlee5, i thought this when i saw your post. I've done my app this year, and almost every course wants A levels (or equivalent) and a foundation. Also you probably will have to do 3 A levels, well at least that's how it was at my old 6th form. Basically our education authority wouldn't pay for us to do the courses unless we were doing 3, not sure how this would work if you were doing one outside of school though. If for whatever reason your art career doesn't work out, A levels are a VERY good backup too, and i'd recommend them because they give you a broader base of interests too. Out of interest, what are you planning on specialising in after foundation?