Best London art college for painting?

I've just started my art & design foundation course and I have been researching BA courses in Fine art for a few years now but I am still unsure of what's best for what as people keep telling me different things. I understand that only I can make the decision of where to go but I could do with a little help please! preferably people who are studying at an art college in London (Goldsmiths included) but anyone with a good knowledge of the London colleges would be helpful. I think I would like to specialise in painting/2D. I've heard The Slades good for painting, does anyone know much about the Fine art course there? and other Fine art courses also in London, that are perhaps less contemporary'?

I'd really appreciate as much info as poss, Thanks guys !

Reply 1

Freud

14

I'm not too sure, I hear alot of gross generalisations about fine art unis. Slade is reputed to be very cutting edge, contemporary and conceptual. Lots of turner prize winners...

Goldsmiths has a good reputation. CSM and chelsea have great reputations but Student's who've been there have often been unsatisfied. But like I said, these are gross generalisations. And probably more about the foundation courses rather than the BA.

Dunno if I'm any help in the slightest :s-smilie:

Reply 2

Pesky_Postmodernist

Camberwell....

because its probably the last College left in England that has a dedicated Painting BA course, most are now "fine art" (and all the other UAL courses dont have a specialised painting course) it was the whole 80's painting is dead philosophy, but we say *****'em....painting is the best.

Goldsmiths is rather good too. Interviews are tough.

Slade is good. its still rather snooty and incestious (if you dont know anyone there, its pretty impossible to get in).

but its all about being in a dedicated art enviroment like the UAL. Much more creative types to talk to, which lacks for slade being in geek central UCL.

Reply 3

artsstudent

For painting I'd recommend The Slade, Chelsea, Camberwell, perhaps Goldsmiths although they seem to be better in sculpture. The MFA Fine Art at Goldsmiths definitely has a stronger painting element.

Goldsmiths interviews were actually okay (or maybe I was lucky in catching them as a good time!) so don't feel put off about applying there.

The Slade is probably at the top but as Pesky said it's pretty tough to get in unless you know someone there.

Both Chelsea and Central St Martins have terrible student satisfaction for their foundation courses. Although the BA fine art courses are in a completely different league. From all the degree shows the painting at Chelsea was really impressive and something they still push for even though all the seperate pathways are one now.

Best thing is for you to judge for yourself and go to all the degree shows.

Reply 4

Freud

14

Pesky_Postmodernist

Camberwell....

because its probably the last College left in England that has a dedicated Painting BA course, most are now "fine art" (and all the other UAL courses dont have a specialised painting course) it was the whole 80's painting is dead philosophy, but we say *****'em....painting is the best.

Not true.

Wimbledon college's painting BA

University of Brighton's painting BA

Those are just two off the top of my head.

I'm sure another UAL college does a BA in painting too.

Reply 5

artsstudent

Forget to mention Wimbledon! Their dedicated BA in Painting course is pretty good, classes are small so you may get more tutor support than the other colleges.

Falmouth Art college also do a great BA in Painting although they're based all the way in Cornwall and you mentioned that you wanted to study in London.

Reply 6

Pesky_Postmodernist

oh yeh, keep forgetting wimbledon is part of the UAL now..

Reply 7

hmstanley

Pesky_Postmodernist

Camberwell....

because its probably the last College left in England that has a dedicated Painting BA course, most are now "fine art" (and all the other UAL courses dont have a specialised painting course) it was the whole 80's painting is dead philosophy, but we say *****'em....painting is the best.

Goldsmiths is rather good too. Interviews are tough.

Slade is good. its still rather snooty and incestious (if you dont know anyone there, its pretty impossible to get in).

but its all about being in a dedicated art enviroment like the UAL. Much more creative types to talk to, which lacks for slade being in geek central UCL.

Hello,

I'm really not sure what you mean when you say that The Slade is "snooty and incestuous". I entered the school on the BA and I certainly didn't know anyone there, and neither did any of my classmates. The only reason it is hard to get into is because it has very high standards in terms of the methodologies and thought processes of the applicant. As for the working environment, painters can be as dedicated to their practice as they like (we have a set of dedicated painting tutors), but their involvement in cross-area seminars is encouraged as it gives wider scope for criticism. Also, while I will gladly admit that UCL on the whole is full of strange, uncreative people, we at the slade tend to extract ourselves from the institution. And after all, our library is second to none, which is all that really matters.

To anyone thinking of applying to The Slade, I would strongly suggest at least trying. It is in my opinion the most influential art school in the world, and a sort of last bastion against schools like goldsmiths and st. martins which are spiraling out of control. The atmosphere is focused, personal, highly critical, and pastoral. The classes are small, the number of tutors are high (it would be unusual for me to have any less that four tutorials a week, with different tutors) and the opportunities on offer every day are innumerable.

If you do want to get in, make sure that you can do something better that anyone else can and that you can talk about your intentions very well and enthusiastically.

Best London art college for painting?

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