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should i do art foundation before my history of art degree?

ok so before predicted a level grades result day. I was certain on doing an art foundation and then fine art at uni. but after doing a few history of art summer courses at goldsmiths and courtauld. I've realised that I've lost the passion for physical art- that surprises me- and history of art is something I really want to do. but should I still do art foundation and apply for a deferred year at university?
pros-
-art foundation is a tradition in my family
- I'm afraid people doing an art history course at university would have done an art foundation
-art foundation is free for under 19's
-it might help me with my history of art observations
-gives me time to reconsider my future
- i can reapply to the universitys i didnt get into
- i will meet more creative people
-i can save money during my deferred entry for universitys
-maybe do some abroad volunteering during holidays

cons-
- i will be a year older than most people an uni
-im scared i will lose my euphasim for history of art at degree level
-ive lost all my passion for art (atm)
- most universitys dont like a deferred year for a foundation in art
-i know theres more cons. but cant think of them lol

also how do you university view deferred years? are they more or least likely to give you an offer?
if you do art history at degree level did you do an art foundation?

p.s. one of my art techers think i should do an art foundation while the other thinks i shouldnt.
I don’t know who told you that universities don’t like deferred years or art foundation but they’re very common and useful for art history.

A Foundation is very different to A level and gcse art. The experimental and exploratory focus means that you have a chance to play with your art...so even if you’re feeling fed up at the moment you would be doing something very different for a year.

Go along to some open days and talk to people about art foundation diploma courses and see what universities actually think. And go to open days for art foundation diploma courses too.

You don’t have to decide yet...the ucas deadline is January and there’s no advantage to applying early - particularly for art courses.
Reply 2
Original post by bluepixie
ok so before predicted a level grades result day. I was certain on doing an art foundation and then fine art at uni. but after doing a few history of art summer courses at goldsmiths and courtauld. I've realised that I've lost the passion for physical art- that surprises me- and history of art is something I really want to do. but should I still do art foundation and apply for a deferred year at university?
pros-
-art foundation is a tradition in my family
- I'm afraid people doing an art history course at university would have done an art foundation
-art foundation is free for under 19's
-it might help me with my history of art observations
-gives me time to reconsider my future
- i can reapply to the universitys i didnt get into
- i will meet more creative people
-i can save money during my deferred entry for universitys
-maybe do some abroad volunteering during holidays

cons-
- i will be a year older than most people an uni
-im scared i will lose my euphasim for history of art at degree level
-ive lost all my passion for art (atm)
- most universitys dont like a deferred year for a foundation in art
-i know theres more cons. but cant think of them lol

also how do you university view deferred years? are they more or least likely to give you an offer?
if you do art history at degree level did you do an art foundation?

p.s. one of my art techers think i should do an art foundation while the other thinks i shouldnt.

I did an art foundation course three years ago (in film) which I enjoyed (I enjoyed like 50% of it) but it wasn't very helpful. It didn't make me figure out what I should do after my art foundation. (which is the point of foundation - to find out what aspect of art/design to go into)

I ended up in the awkward situation where I passed foundation but ended up not enjoying (all of) the course. I then couldn't apply for courses not related to film because I only got two A - Levels. In hindsight I should have redone year 12 and just paid the course fee for foundation.

Basically do foundation and defer your offers for history of art, but only do foundation if you get the grades at A - Level to do courses that aren't art/design related. That way you can do different degree courses if you don't enjoy art and design.
Hello there bluepixie,

I did a UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at Bath College before coming to Plymouth College of Art for my degree. I found it really pushed me to think outside the box and broadened my mind further when it came to art. Not only that, but I was struggling to decide whether to pursue Fine Art or Photography, and it helped me to decide on specialising in Photography for my degree. It gave me experience of exhibiting my work, visiting exhibitions around the world and taught me new mediums that I had never heard of before.

PCA (where I study now) also offers this course, which develops your making and creative thinking to prepare you for a course at degree level; it’s perfect if you’re unsure of what artistic medium you want to specialise in or if you don’t quite feel ready for a degree yet. As well as having access to the vast range of facilities that the main PCA buildings offer, you also have a specialised studio space just for FAD students. As a practitioner who was previously clueless on what would suit me best for a degree, the foundation course was amazing. It was a great experience and I'd definitely encourage you to look into it, even if you are certain of what you want to do a degree in; I learnt so many things that I had never even heard of before the course!

My foundation course also really helped me to develop my critical analysis and thinking, as well as improve my essay-writing skills, which would definitely benefit you when starting your degree in History of Art. Plus, understanding the physical side of creating art will benefit you a lot when you go deeper into the theory and history side of art.

In regards to the age 'con', honestly, no one is bothered by how old you are. Most people will just assume you're the same age until you're asked otherwise and not only that but many people take a year out, go on a gap year, do a foundation year, etc before going off to university, so a lot of people will be in the exact same position as you. I was a year older than a lot of my coursemates and housemates, but none of them even realised until we discussed ages and birthdays!

You need to make sure you're doing what is right for you and what you feel is going to benefit you the most. I have a couple friends who, after completing their foundation year in art and design, went off to uni to study Geography and Psychology, so don't feel that you cannot do it just because you're not going off to study practical art afterwards. If you want any more information about the FAD course or PCA, please feel free to ask and I will try my best to answer anything you may be wondering about!

Hope this helps!
Harriet :smile:
Second Year Photography Student and Student Ambassador at Plymouth College of Art
(edited 5 years ago)

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