Is UAL really as bad as some people make out??

Plasmatic

Ah! I was looking for that project, thanks for the link! I shall bookmark it :smile:

Yeah, I really enjoyed the show in general actual, a lot of the work still sticks out in my mind.

Yes, I really liked the show too. Plenty of diversity, which was a good thing. The size and breadth of the course was also apparent, even though the student body is divided into individual pathways. I also went to see the undergraduate graphic design show at Chelsea too, on the same day. It was completely different to CSM, not just in size, but in how it was presented. You can really tell that despite teaching the same discipline, the ethos and approach really does differ. I was actually very impressed with the work too. If you haven't seen the graphic design show from Chelsea, here's their website and virtual tour:

http://www.chelsea.arts.ac.uk/coursework/descom/showingoff%202/index.html
http://www.chelsea.arts.ac.uk/showcase/virtual-tours/summer_shows_09/vt-graphic-design.htm

So did you enjoy doing research? Is it mainly writing and reading?

I underwent an M.Phil under the 'Communication Art and Design' department at the RCA, which essentially involved writing a research paper of my own choice. This would require extensive original and sourced research, culminating, in my case, into a 35,000 word paper on the semiotics of branding and the consumer's perception of product sentimentality. I mainly delved into how advertising and branding can provoke feeling from the consumer, thereby giving them a sense of attachment to the product they're purchasing. As part of my qualifying for the degree of M.Phil, I conducted speeches/lectures at the RCA and at a few other universities in this country and back home in Japan. I also distributed my final research paper to 5 universities, again in this country and in Japan. It's primarily theoretical, but you can include a practical element when compiling your research. I dabbled into product design for my research.

As for enjoying it, I really did. I have an equal interest in researching and discussing my subject, in addition to standard practice. I have the option to later apply for the PhD, should I choose to. I am considering it, but not anytime soon.

That's a shame about your tutor. I found out whilst doing AS Levels how bad it can be to have an appalling teacher. Whilst you can always do work yourself and glean help from others, there's nothing like having a good, dedicated tutor to support your studies. In what way was your tutor bad- effort, knowledge, reliability? But I think I'd be similar to you in that respect; so long as I got in to CSM, I'd most likely put up with whoever I was given. Maybe even the rude lady ^_^

I'm referring to my course director, the rest of the course team was good, especially the main tutor in my second year. The course director, who was the main tutor for my final year, was just incredibly obnoxious and narcissistic. He was a talented fashion designer, and had supposably worked in-house at Versace, but he lacked interpersonal skills, which is ironically crucial when teaching. The only good thing about him was that he wanted all of us to succeed, if only because it would raise his own profile too. It's a shame, really. He did ruin the course for many students, especially since he had so much influence on the final grade too.

Reply 21

sam-on-bridge

U.A.L is a great uni, recently we've seen it up up the top 100 universities in the UK. The media has described it as the best arts university in London. And at the moment the uni is putting out better results (on some of it course) the Goldsmiths.

I did a FDa at goldsmiths and moved to LCC to do my BA. One reason behind the move; The industry respects LCC / CSM more then any other art uni in London.

On my Journey home from UNi today i was reading the evening standard adn there was an article about how Art work from CMS was on display at the barbican. I turn over the page and work from LCC is on display at the TATE. And the article mentioned the credibility of LCC.

For satisfaction you must look at the uni college by college, at a course level..!

Ja

Reply 22

eddy2375

sam-on-bridge

U.A.L is a great uni, recently we've seen it up up the top 100 universities in the UK. The media has described it as the best arts university in London. And at the moment the uni is putting out better results (on some of it course) the Goldsmiths.

I did a FDa at goldsmiths and moved to LCC to do my BA. One reason behind the move; The industry respects LCC / CSM more then any other art uni in London.

On my Journey home from UNi today i was reading the evening standard adn there was an article about how Art work from CMS was on display at the barbican. I turn over the page and work from LCC is on display at the TATE. And the article mentioned the credibility of LCC.

For satisfaction you must look at the uni college by college, at a course level..!

Ja

Sorry, but this user signed up just two weeks ago and their first (and, thus far, only) post is raving about UAL and how highly rated it is... I don't know what the university's reputation is but I'd consider taking these comments in particular with a grain of salt.

Reply 23

kittensmittens

8

I am currently attending UAL - last year I was extremely excited to get a place but now that I am actually here I have to say I can see where some of this student dissatisfaction is coming from. The tutors really are first rate industry professionals and their expertise is extremely valuable, but as an international student I pay extortionate fees and I must say I'm struggling to see where the money goes. Facilities are barely adequate and are not open late enough, tutors are overstretched because there are too many students on the courses and as a result, there is chaos and disorganization everywhere, with lectures constantly getting cancelled/rescheduled etc., which is waste of students' time....and individual tutorials are few and far between. The one thing the school is great at is self-promotion!, and you really are paying a premium to have that UAL name on your resume when you graduate. Don't get me wrong - I am not telling people not to come here, the quality of the staff, students and the work produced is really first rate – but just make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Sorry just felt like logging in to vent! haha

Reply 24

C_D_forever

4

A piece from the Times Higher reports how a PR lecturer resigned from the London College of Communication (LCC) - UAL, over some of the issues raised above, stating that the LCC isn't supporting its students:

A lecturer has resigned from his job at the London College of Communication, claiming that the institution is not properly supporting its students.

Paul Simpson was course director of the BA in public relations, which survived a cull of 16 out of 19 courses in the School of Creative Enterprise over the summer.

He resigned last week, having raised concerns about the lack of teaching support available for students on the three remaining courses: the BA and MA in public relations, and the BA in creative advertising.

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=408974&c=1

It does make for disturbing reading actually - the readers' comments below the article are even worse - suggesting that (in some cases) the whole of UAL is potentially in "meltdown".

Always heed the good advice of visiting any institution you are seriously thinking of applying to first - ask pertinent questions, see the facilities, what shape are they in financially, staff to student ratio etc.

Reply 25

Aiko

16

This is unsettling news. UAL management/administration has never been the university's strength, but clearly the continuing rise in applications has not been supplemented by an equal rise in staff. This is in alignment with the student intake for the foundation at Chelsea, which originally took around 150-200 students in 2004-5, but now has 400, with presumably no increase in staff.

Reply 26

hellocuppycake

This is a really interesting read about UAL, as I am applying and still figuring out with uni I really want to go to.

kittensmittens, thank you for sharing because that is something i keep on wondering about with the UAL unis - how much attention you get from tutors and the facilities, which is one thing that's making me not really want to go the uni(s). But I have heard that St martins is relocating, which I am assuming would have an increase in facilities etc.

Does anyone have anymore feedback on one-on-one time with tutors, etc?

Reply 27

Jayde

hellocuppycake

This is a really interesting read about UAL, as I am applying and still figuring out with uni I really want to go to.

kittensmittens, thank you for sharing because that is something i keep on wondering about with the UAL unis - how much attention you get from tutors and the facilities, which is one thing that's making me not really want to go the uni(s). But I have heard that St martins is relocating, which I am assuming would have an increase in facilities etc.

Does anyone have anymore feedback on one-on-one time with tutors, etc?

I'm at Camberwell studying Photography, had a 1:1 tutorial today actually now you mention it :eek3:

but yeah, anyways...

I don't know if this is any help, but as far as 1:1 time goes I guess you can say it's few and far between. I have my personal tutor some weeks for workshops, so that'd be the entire day and on days like today there are 1:1 tutorials where they keep track with where you are going with your work and this time is like 30mins tops.

My first 1:1 tutorial was October 19th and I had another one today so they leave enough time for work to be produced. In between there are "group" tutorials where we review each others work.. and there are also times where the course director has "open office" times where we can talk with him and bring up any issues we have, there have been round 7 such occasions which I think is quite good.

There has also been a cross course crit, which - as you can imagine the name explains it all... I was in a group with another photography lecturer - but some had lecturers from other disciplines so it was cool to see their view of things.

So yeah, some weeks it's a bit sporadic but there is always someone who can help, it depends how often you go in really.. I can't say for the other colleges but I think the time with tutors at Camberwell is adequate for a degree, it's not like college/foundation of course :smile:

Sorry for the looonngg wall of text but I guess I don't see why people are getting doubts about UAL - other than what i've heard about LCC I don't think there's any bad points about the other colleges. Sure, the equipment has a limit - but today i walked out of Uni is a Canon Speedlite flash unit borrowed from the loan store which I never thought i'd be able to use thanks to loan funds not stretching that far so i'm as happy as pie :biggrin:

and plus, you can use certain equipment stretched about the colleges... you can borrow books from any of the libraries, it's awesome :biggrin:

edit: also, remember to not judge UAL entirely by something happening at one college.. I think someone said that somewhere above :smile:

Reply 28

Aiko

16

hellocuppycake

This is a really interesting read about UAL, as I am applying and still figuring out with uni I really want to go to.

kittensmittens, thank you for sharing because that is something i keep on wondering about with the UAL unis - how much attention you get from tutors and the facilities, which is one thing that's making me not really want to go the uni(s). But I have heard that St martins is relocating, which I am assuming would have an increase in facilities etc.

Does anyone have anymore feedback on one-on-one time with tutors, etc?

As mentioned, every college and course will vary. You can't generalise the UAL in its entirely. This will even apply to the same subject. For example, I had friends on the undergraduate graphic design course at CSM and Chelsea, both of which were taught completely differently. One had over 150 students (CSM), whilst the other had around 50 (Chelsea). The teaching approach also varied between both, with CSM having distinct pathways for each discipline within graphic design, while Chelsea was more open-ended. Generally, the smaller the class, the more likely you will have an individual tutorial. However, you'll often find that most courses will divide the students into small groups of about 5-15 and have a joint critique with the main tutor and possibly a secondary one (or a guest tutor), who will provide feedback on your work. Any technical help will be provided by an employed course technician, who will be more than happy to assist with any individual enquiries, in addition to offering workshops. This is the standard format for most courses, not just with the colleges of the UAL, but with most creative courses. Individual sessions with your tutor will normally happen at the end of each major project and/or term, but again, this will vary from course to course. I will advise specifically asking this at an Open Day for each college and course you're interested in.

Reply 29

hellocuppycake

Thanks guys. Yeah definitely - I know that all the colleges are different. But in terms for trying to gather information it's really hard to talk about college by college, if you know what I mean. But thank you so much for the information its been super useful!

Reply 30

Kai Hiwatari

12

This threads been so useful thanks =D just thought id add that xD my art teacher told me about the student/teacher ratio at CSM and i got kind of concerned cuz when i first heard about the graphics course at CSM and its rep, that sounded like my dream college but now im not so sure just because of what ive heard...

Reply 31

Fidaa Ali

2

Original post by **Smiles**

i'm seriously considering UAL for Uni next year, looking at LCF and Wimbledon for costume, but after reading some comments on the teaching etc i was suprised and its starting to put me off. i read in a paper it was the lowest scoring uni in the UK for student satisfaction.... should all this put me off visiting and applying??

any comments much appreciated, thanks x

Where did you end up going?

Is UAL really as bad as some people make out??

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