Central St Martins or Falmouth for art foundation?

I just got a conditional offer from CSM, and hadn't really expected to get it. I've already accepted my Falmouth offer but I am completley torn between the two! I like both courses and locations for different reasons, but there are disadvantages to both as well such as the distance Falmouth is away form places like London, and also I have heard negative things about CSM with regards to facilities, tutor input and the competativeness and pressure of the course. I was wondering if anyone had experience of either course that could help me to find out more about what it will actuall be like to study there rather than all of this rumour I seem to be getting from course tutors (someone at falmouth actually warned me about the CSM course).

Yeah, there is a major advantage in going to a london college to do a foundation in tems of studying there for a degree. Atm I don't know what I want to do after foundation (kinda why I'm doing the foundation) its could end up being english or art history! I'm leaning towards CSM right now becasue id be closer to art gallerys/ museums and I feel like the course would challenge me to grow and develop. The Falmouth course seems lovely and supportive, but when I think about it, the real world/ degeree courses won't be like that... Its so difficult because my teacher totally scared me off CSM by saying it "wouldn't suit me" but my teacher does not know me personally. Also in our A-level classes we don't always get huge amouts of time or support because other needy students take it all! So I don't know if the CSM course would be as much of a change... But I'm going to think a little more first. Lemme know how it goes!

So Falmouth foundation is easier to get in ? I'm surprise I thought that CSM is easy to get in due to the number of their intake ??

Hey, I am currently on the foundation at Falmouth if you have any questions about it.

I'd obviously say choose Falmouth. I've had, literally, the best year of my life here!
I can't fault the course in any way and I would recommend it to everyone!

Yeah, there is a major advantage in going to a london college to do a foundation in tems of studying there for a degree. Atm I don't know what I want to do after foundation (kinda why I'm doing the foundation) its could end up being english or art history! I'm leaning towards CSM right now becasue id be closer to art gallerys/ museums and I feel like the course would challenge me to grow and develop. The Falmouth course seems lovely and supportive, but when I think about it, the real world/ degeree courses won't be like that... Its so difficult because my teacher totally scared me off CSM by saying it "wouldn't suit me" but my teacher does not know me personally. Also in our A-level classes we don't always get huge amouts of time or support because other needy students take it all! So I don't know if the CSM course would be as much of a change... But I'm going to think a little more first. Lemme know how it goes!

Hi I am going to Falmouth for the Foundation this September, I wanted to ask you a few questions... I wanted to know your relationship with your tutors and how often you get with them and if its easy to contact them. Also are you all guided to apply to uni or can you do it if you feel ready and ask them to help? I also wanted to ask about what tools and equipment you'd recommend taking? Thanks

Hello,
Im a current student and I have a blog with some posts about interviewing and about the school etc... If you wanna have a look, any posts from November 2010 to present are mostly about CSM. www.heatherbroomhall.com.

I loved Foundation year at CSM and you do have more freedom at CSM but you will also get all the help you need. keep in mind it is art & design foundation and it truly is no matter what you are studying there. if you got into CSM then you should be quite proud because many many people are turned down. However with all that said, CSM isnt for everyone. But i do know for a fact that Uni's will offer csm foundation students interviews for BA's many times without all the pre-interview requirements. everyone i know from foundation year got into at least the top 3 colleges for whatever they applied for Ba year. so you might consider taking foundation at csm and then moving on to another college for BA.

The amount you see the tutors, and who you see, varies with the different parts of the course.
Within the first section you will be tutor led all day and will probably have a different teacher each day dependant on the activity you're doing. This has the exception of thursdays which were 'studio days' in which you led your own time. You also saw them in lectures and you can always pop into the office if you have any questions.

Within the second section you're assigned your own tutors depending on your chosen speciality. Then you start to have your own tutorials and seminars in which you will see your tutor. Your tutor gets an idea of your work and interests and stuff, which is good as they can help you with your personal statement and suggestions for universities.

Within stage 3, you can attend seminars if you wish (but you have to sign up to them and they aren't neccesarily to do with your chosen pathway) and you have at least one tutorial a week. You can also sign up to more tutorials or see any tutors at any time. You can book to see tutors or just ask them in the office. The amount you see the tutors in this stage is very dependant on how much you need them or ask for them, as it's your final project.

I had a very good relationship with the tutors, which I think always helps. I think it's very important to ask questions.

They were very helpful with suggesting universities and were always there to either talk to, phone or email. There is also a lady who is specifically there to help with all the writing elements of the course, like the essay and the catalogue at the end (and will help with your personal statement too.)

The tools you bring is very dependant on they type of work you do BUT I will say that I have never got through so many pencils and rubbers in my life as the first few weeks!! Bring a plastic portfolio that can fit a1 paper that you are prepared to bring in each day. Definitely buy a craft knife and a (small) cutting board! and graphite stick (but I'm sure they mention this in the equipment list.) ermmm.. you could bring a big thing of white wall paint.. I bought one at the beginning and it was really useful.. but I can't guarantee that you'll use it..
Oo and bring LOTS of masking tape and glue sticks!
I carried my art stuff in in a tool box everymorning, but I was one of the few doing this. I would reccomend it, but it's not really essential, it's just a suggestion. Though once again, its dependant on the stuff you're going to be doing.

If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask!
Hope you have a brilliant time! and hope this was helpful