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best art uni??
hey!
i just want to know.. where is the best art uni overall?
is it st.martins? most people seem to go st.martins but i hear the slade school of art is really good..
also im not sure what subject to do in art.. fine art .. etc etc..
please give me some info
i just want to know.. where is the best art uni overall?
is it st.martins? most people seem to go st.martins but i hear the slade school of art is really good..
also im not sure what subject to do in art.. fine art .. etc etc..
please give me some info
Scroll to see replies
central st martin is looked on as the best out of slade from what ive heard but then again slade is part of ucl which has a v good rep overall and slade is alot older than c st martins and i think in a bit nicer area? also arent the courses different are you looking at foundation year?
If you're not sure which subject to do you should do an Art Foundation Course which will introduce you to different areas of Art and Design. The course lasts a year and most good art colleges require you to do one anyway.
In terms of actual degree courses UCL (Slade), Central St Martins, Chelsea, Brighton and Falmouth are all supposed to be good but that might not apply to their foundation courses (I've heard bad things about CSM's foundation course - too many students, not enough staff, etc).
In terms of actual degree courses UCL (Slade), Central St Martins, Chelsea, Brighton and Falmouth are all supposed to be good but that might not apply to their foundation courses (I've heard bad things about CSM's foundation course - too many students, not enough staff, etc).
You should definitely do a foundation year. The course will give you some insight into what area you want to focus on & will open you up to different approaches to art.
To be honest most foundation courses seem to have too many students and not enough staff. To make something from your foundation year is difficult - I never had to work so hard in any course I've taken.
In terms of where is best for what it varies greatly. Your tutors on your foundation course will give you really solid advice.
As a Fine Art student my thoughts on Fine Art courses would be:
Do not judge courses on league tables, the requirements for ranking them are often spurious (for example why does average ucas points on entry matter for courses that are based on portfolios?). This becomes pretty obvious when you see how badly UAL fairs on tables despite having some of the best art colleges in the world in its cohort.
Look at graduate work - degree shows (if you can make it to any) and websites - be suspicious of anywhere that doesn't show you student work. Look at the artists who have come out of these colleges & look at the tutors who are at the colleges. You'll notice some colleges having house styles (imo Winchester S.A & Chelsea) others having a lack of.
Departmental strengths vary i.e. what you are going to specialise in should be a huge factor in what you're going to study - perhaps more so than the overall reputation of the college.
The Slade has a great reputation for painting. Chelsea has a reputation for media. Goldsmiths & St. Martins for sculpture/installation. Camberwell for drawing.
This is partly due to self-selection of students based on these reputations & party due to the staff on the courses.
Look at the courses. Are they divided by media or not? The traditional art colleges generally are, art departments within universities often are not.
Decide what is best for you - if you think you will do nothing but paint for 3 years apply to painters courses - e.g. painting/printmaking department at Glasgow S.A. If you think you will work in an interdisciplinary manner consider schools with a more open approach - e.g. Goldsmiths, the Ruskin.
With reference to the Slade and St. Martins in particular, I'd say they're two of the top colleges worldwide. I would however rate the Slade's post grad courses as better than its undergrad course purely based on the work coming out of it (tbh I'd say it rivals the RCA). I choose Goldsmiths for my degree course (with St. Martins as my second on route B) because the work graduates produced was most in line with my own.
Any London college also has one massive advantage - it's in London. I was sick of looking at art through books so I decided that was where I wanted to be - it is truly a world art centre.
Overall worry less about what the general view is of the college and look at what is best for your own circumstances.
To be honest most foundation courses seem to have too many students and not enough staff. To make something from your foundation year is difficult - I never had to work so hard in any course I've taken.
In terms of where is best for what it varies greatly. Your tutors on your foundation course will give you really solid advice.
As a Fine Art student my thoughts on Fine Art courses would be:
Do not judge courses on league tables, the requirements for ranking them are often spurious (for example why does average ucas points on entry matter for courses that are based on portfolios?). This becomes pretty obvious when you see how badly UAL fairs on tables despite having some of the best art colleges in the world in its cohort.
Look at graduate work - degree shows (if you can make it to any) and websites - be suspicious of anywhere that doesn't show you student work. Look at the artists who have come out of these colleges & look at the tutors who are at the colleges. You'll notice some colleges having house styles (imo Winchester S.A & Chelsea) others having a lack of.
Departmental strengths vary i.e. what you are going to specialise in should be a huge factor in what you're going to study - perhaps more so than the overall reputation of the college.
The Slade has a great reputation for painting. Chelsea has a reputation for media. Goldsmiths & St. Martins for sculpture/installation. Camberwell for drawing.
This is partly due to self-selection of students based on these reputations & party due to the staff on the courses.
Look at the courses. Are they divided by media or not? The traditional art colleges generally are, art departments within universities often are not.
Decide what is best for you - if you think you will do nothing but paint for 3 years apply to painters courses - e.g. painting/printmaking department at Glasgow S.A. If you think you will work in an interdisciplinary manner consider schools with a more open approach - e.g. Goldsmiths, the Ruskin.
With reference to the Slade and St. Martins in particular, I'd say they're two of the top colleges worldwide. I would however rate the Slade's post grad courses as better than its undergrad course purely based on the work coming out of it (tbh I'd say it rivals the RCA). I choose Goldsmiths for my degree course (with St. Martins as my second on route B) because the work graduates produced was most in line with my own.
Any London college also has one massive advantage - it's in London. I was sick of looking at art through books so I decided that was where I wanted to be - it is truly a world art centre.
Overall worry less about what the general view is of the college and look at what is best for your own circumstances.
Ruskin is the best art school.
I am applying there and expect to be offered a scholarship.
Take a look at this piece from my portfolio, and I think you will agree:
Saurabh
I am applying there and expect to be offered a scholarship.
Take a look at this piece from my portfolio, and I think you will agree:
Saurabh
The Courtauld Institute is the best without a doubt for History of Art, it doesn't offer straight up fine art however
Its the only department to get 5* research rating and 23/24 in teaching excellence i think (cant remember) in the country
Plus have you seen Somerset House? Absolutely magnificent building to study in...
Its the only department to get 5* research rating and 23/24 in teaching excellence i think (cant remember) in the country
Plus have you seen Somerset House? Absolutely magnificent building to study in...
Plus Brian Sewell went to the Courtauld so you're onto a winner from the start.
That_Diesel, give it a rest with your portfolio will you! Every art related forum I've been on, you're flashing around pictures you've done
I'm with Cubes on this one, I guess it's all down to the individual and the reputations of different Unis in certain specialisms. Whatever fits I suppose. I'm going to The Slade's summer school in late August, whoop whoop! I'll let you know what the place is like
That_Diesel, give it a rest with your portfolio will you! Every art related forum I've been on, you're flashing around pictures you've done
I'm with Cubes on this one, I guess it's all down to the individual and the reputations of different Unis in certain specialisms. Whatever fits I suppose. I'm going to The Slade's summer school in late August, whoop whoop! I'll let you know what the place is like
lowkesa
That_Diesel, give it a rest with your portfolio will you! Every art related forum I've been on, you're flashing around pictures you've done
That_Diesel, give it a rest with your portfolio will you! Every art related forum I've been on, you're flashing around pictures you've done
I believe I have a talent and I want to help people improve their own art by seeing mine.
It really depends what you want to do. Each uni is different, and you need to find the one that suits you. The Slade and The Ruskin are very traditional The Ruskin more so than the Slade, and as an earlier poster said The Slade's postgrad fine art courses are hard to beat. But unless you have already done a load of exploration and know which direction -artwise- you want to go in I would think hard about applying to either of these. Unless you are a mature student you will need (for a good college) a foundation course. If you are really interested go and see the degree shows that are on now. That will give you the best idea of what the colleges do, what sort of work they produce and whether or not you would fit in.
Dear that_diesel, you should really check out the work of Ruskin students before you apply.
Dear that_diesel, you should really check out the work of Ruskin students before you apply.
Please, whoever left me negative reputation, I am very disappointed.
I am not arrogant. I just have strong belief in myself and my abilities, and I see nothing wrong with this.
I am not arrogant. I just have strong belief in myself and my abilities, and I see nothing wrong with this.
catkin
It really depends what you want to do. Each uni is different, and you need to find the one that suits you. The Slade and The Ruskin are very traditional The Ruskin more so than the Slade, and as an earlier poster said The Slade's postgrad fine art courses are hard to beat. But unless you have already done a load of exploration and know which direction -artwise- you want to go in I would think hard about applying to either of these. Unless you are a mature student you will need (for a good college) a foundation course. If you are really interested go and see the degree shows that are on now. That will give you the best idea of what the colleges do, what sort of work they produce and whether or not you would fit in.
Dear that_diesel, you should really check out the work of Ruskin students before you apply.
Dear that_diesel, you should really check out the work of Ruskin students before you apply.
The Slade (UCL) has a long tradition, but it's by no means traditional!!!
that_diesel
Please, whoever left me negative reputation, I am very disappointed.
I am not arrogant. I just have strong belief in myself and my abilities, and I see nothing wrong with this.
I am not arrogant. I just have strong belief in myself and my abilities, and I see nothing wrong with this.
well when/if you get into uni i am quite sure your 'confidence' will be crushed quite quickly when it becomes apparant that your work is actually very mediocre ! I would also stop saying "i think you will agree " as it sounds so big headed and your work is not good enough for you to be like that !
seanaldo123
well when/if you get into uni i am quite sure your 'confidence' will be crushed quite quickly when it becomes apparant that your work is actually very mediocre ! I would also stop saying "i think you will agree " as it sounds so big headed and your work is not good enough for you to be like that !
agreed.
seanaldo123
well when/if you get into uni i am quite sure your 'confidence' will be crushed quite quickly when it becomes apparant that your work is actually very mediocre ! I would also stop saying "i think you will agree " as it sounds so big headed and your work is not good enough for you to be like that !
I'll second third fourth and fifth that
Thankyou for your constructive comments and advice, but I do not retract my statements that I am a good artist.
Consider this:
Consider this:
Just want to agree with this statement:
Also, have you not seen that the horse's legs are not in proportion?
There are lots of other things to consider apart from pencil drawings, simple coloured sketches in a portfolio.
well when/if you get into uni i am quite sure your 'confidence' will be crushed quite quickly when it becomes apparant that your work is actually very mediocre ! I would also stop saying "i think you will agree " as it sounds so big headed and your work is not good enough for you to be like that !
Also, have you not seen that the horse's legs are not in proportion?
There are lots of other things to consider apart from pencil drawings, simple coloured sketches in a portfolio.
Sara!
Also, have you not seen that the horse's legs are not in proportion?
Also, have you not seen that the horse's legs are not in proportion?
That is because it is not a life drawing of a horse, but an abstract response to seeing a horse. When I saw the horse, I was struck by the strength of its upper body in comparison to its legs, so I decided to reflect this in my proportions.
This is similar to Michelangelo's interpretation of David in his famous statue. It represents David before fighting Goliath, so his hands are larger to show the strength he will need to overmaster the giant. ( I have studied all the great masters so I know this)
your artwork is good, don't get me wrong, but it's not outstanding..
that_diesel
That is because it is not a life drawing of a horse, but an abstract response to seeing a horse. When I saw the horse, I was struck by the strength of its upper body in comparison to its legs, so I decided to reflect this in my proportions.
This is similar to Michelangelo's interpretation of David in his famous statue. It represents David before fighting Goliath, so his hands are larger to show the strength he will need to overmaster the giant. ( I have studied all the great masters so I know this)
This is similar to Michelangelo's interpretation of David in his famous statue. It represents David before fighting Goliath, so his hands are larger to show the strength he will need to overmaster the giant. ( I have studied all the great masters so I know this)
I'm not sure you can compare that pencil line drawing of a horse to Michelangelo's David...
How's your application to Ruskin going? I'm interested in hearing about your progress.
Back on topic:
I think the agreed collective advice is that Slade, Ruskin and colleges in University of the Arts London are the best in the country. How does that suit you geographically?
Also: A place on a foundation course does not garentee you a degree place at the same uni. Wishful thinking... But I think it does help, and a respected uni for a foundation degree is obviously going to look fantastic on any applications for degree courses.
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