Fine Art at Oxford

Does anybody study Fine Art at any of the Oxford colleges and have any advice or tips for me? I hope to apply next year - I'm feeling a bit lost though as I've now left school and no-one I know really knows much about it. Thank you!

Reply 1

enlli

My friend applied this year for Fine Art, and had an offer. I'll try and remember some of the details...

She applied to Magdalen but was pooled to Teddy Hall. I think she said there was only 1 place for a Fine Art undergraduate at M. while there are about 7 possibly at T.H., so I assume if you apply you'll probably be interviewed there. It was an AAA offer and she's taking A level's in Art, German, Welsh and English Lit - so a foundation course post-a level isn't always neccessary, neither are 'typical' a-levels. She sent off a portfolio which was discussed at the interview - apparently they like political meaning (?) and in her case performance art. She has high grades in dance - ballet, tap etc. - which judging from the feedback, would give a different perspective/dimension to the course. So when you're writing your personal statement, 'talk up a relevant, slightly unusual extra-curricular activity'.
There were two interviews, and a practical exam. I can't remember much about the interviews, only that she was asked how a Welsh person would look upon the hills differently. And always answer 'no' to a query about if you'd let a big corporation sponsor you. The practical exam sounded like fun - they were given a quote from a surrealist poem, and then had to paint a reflection of it, and another task was to draw the room they were in.

Hope this helps a little.

Reply 2

Yttrium

1

Heulwen_Sian

I think she said there was only 1 place for a Fine Art undergraduate at M. while there are about 7 possibly at T.H., so I assume if you apply you'll probably be interviewed there.

I thought that there was one place at every college for a fine art undergraduate, but that this was flexible (but only to the extent that you could have an intake of 1 or 0).

Magdalen is tricky to get into for any subject - especially for popular / low intake ones like Fine Art.

Anyway, best of luck with your application!

Reply 3

F. Poste

Yttrium

I thought that there was one place at every college for a fine art undergraduate, but that this was flexible (but only to the extent that you could have an intake of 1 or 0).

Not every college- I know mine doesn't offer it, and that there are others! I don't think they even have enough places to have an Artist at every college..

Reply 4

srmcit

5

do a foundation course first. though the ruskin do admit students without, it's not beneficial, esp. if you actually want to practice as an artist afterwards. plus, you’ll have a considerably improved chance of gaining admission to the school given the large amounts of applicants that think they don’t need a foundation.

Reply 5

ProzacNation

This isn't meant to sound negative but think carefully about why you're applying to Oxford for Fine Art. Firstly the course is far more theoretical than elsewhere, and secondly I've heard that the course isn't as strong as other art colleges, which would make sense. That isn't to say its lesser in any way but don't be swayed by Oxford's reputation alone. Imho London art schools are better because London is a far larger, diverse city which holds many cultural events. And while it is easily accessible from Oxford it won't be the same experience. Additionally, career-wise Oxford's reputation isn't going to be the same in the art world as the academic world, and the really well-regarded establishments are those along the lines of Central St Martins and Chelsea (which is actually opposite the Tate).

So, best of luck with your application, but consider all your options carefully, and definitely go for a foundation course - its not too late to apply even at this stage and will both build your portfolio and give you a good overview of art at higher education level.

Reply 6

srmcit

5

ProzacNation

This isn't meant to sound negative but think carefully about why you're applying to Oxford for Fine Art. Firstly the course is far more theoretical than elsewhere, and secondly I've heard that the course isn't as strong as other art colleges, which would make sense. That isn't to say its lesser in any way but don't be swayed by Oxford's reputation alone. Imho London art schools are better because London is a far larger, diverse city which holds many cultural events. And while it is easily accessible from Oxford it won't be the same experience. Additionally, career-wise Oxford's reputation isn't going to be the same in the art world as the academic world, and the really well-regarded establishments are those along the lines of Central St Martins and Chelsea (which is actually opposite the Tate).

So, best of luck with your application, but consider all your options carefully, and definitely go for a foundation course - its not too late to apply even at this stage and will both build your portfolio and give you a good overview of art at higher education level.

While I agree with a lot of what ProzacNation says, the course at the Ruskin is still very elite and prestigious and has improved hugely since Richard Wentworth has taken over. Ultimately though, London seems to be a big deal in the art world so you might want to consider a London MA if you go that far.

Fine Art at Oxford

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