Ask a UAL Student Ambassador

Hi Hannah!
I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about your experiences at both uni's.
I'm a painter and sculptor.
I'm struggling to decide where to go as I enjoy experimental work & both of the campuses are beautiful.
Can you tell me about what the teachers/tutors are like and the class atmosphere?
Do you think much will change for 1st years?

Thanks!

hi tegan! i've got an offer for fashion history & theory so i wondered if you could give an overview of your favourite and least favourite things about the course? or anything i should keep in mind?

Hey @Ponizo

Tegan
UAL Student Rep

Actually, I have one more question for Zoe or Hannah, or both of you.)

If I got that right, returning students will continue their education in September. Have you got any info regarding how will it happen for you regarding the studio spaces and workshops? I've got aт email from UAL saying that we will have blended learning but maybe you already got a kind of schedule or more specific info about your courses. If you don't mind sharing.) I am just curious about what will it look like since my course relies heavily on workshops.

HI i wanted to find out what the difference between film practices and film and television is

Is there a clearing number for this year?

Hi Hannah,

Earlier on this year I was offered a place to study BA (hons) Fine Art at Chelsea College starting later this year. I will be going to live at Glassyard. This is my first Degree and my first time going to university. At times, I honestly feel a bit overwhelmed with all the changes that it will bring to my life (I know that this whole experience will be very formative to myself as a person) and how far I have come in the last couple of years. It will also be my first time living independently (I currently live with my guy and have never really had a truly independent experience at living life). From what I understand, I'll be getting my own studio room but I'll be sharing a kitchen area with up to 6 other people. I have some questions on life in halls and life at university;

1. How did you find it transitioning from college to university; was it a daunting process getting into the mode of the first year of your Degree in Fine Art at all? What kinds of projects did you do in your first year?
2. Did you ever feel unsafe travelling between halls and the campus site and do you have any tips on staying safe in London?
3. How manageable have you found it to work and study at the same time while going from success to success in your courses at the UAL?
4. Is it noisy living in halls; how helpful did you find staff in dealing with any complaints? Did anyone lose their place in the halls due to poor behaviour? Would you say that your experiences living with people in halls has generally been a positive experience?
5. I read in a review that Glassyard is a freezing cold building in the Winter and a roasting hot one in the Summer. Is this true?

Hi @Feastful!
Thanks for your questions! I can completely understand you feeling a little overwhelmed - it’s a new chapter in your life and that can be daunting! I went through much of the same worries as you, and moving to halls was my first time living independently as well. I’ll go through and respond to your questions as best as I can:

1) Transitioning from my Foundation Diploma to my BA course felt like it should be scary, but I think my experience on Foundation was a great stepping stone between my Sixth Form and Degree level work. Even in first year at Chelsea, you are asked to work quite independently, and I do credit my Foundation for allowing me to ease into this way of working! Initially I had so many interests and wasn’t sure how I would find a focus, but you do tend to find your way with tutorials and other support, and I settled into working independently pretty quickly. In first year I was really interested in architecture and the mobility of people, and I spent most of my time researching and making work around that. Chelsea Fine Art really encourages you to be self-directed, i.e. you don’t really have briefs/set projects, and it’s up to you to pursue what you are interested in and let that drive your practice. It can seem daunting at first, but ultimately I think it really makes you better prepared for being a practicing artist, and allows you to really figure out what it is in the world that inspires you.

2) I lived in Tottenham Hale in my first year, in Emily Bowes Court. This was very close to the station and so my journey was relatively easy! I don’t think I ever really felt unsafe, but it’s always good to be a bit cautious and stay aware of yourself and your surroundings, definitely, wherever you are in London.
Here are a few of my suggestions for staying safe in London:
- Look after your belongings - keep them out of sight when possible, and make sure you take steps like having a lock on your phone, and record its IMEI number. Don’t carry too many valuables if you can, or large amounts of cash.
- Plan your journey to and from home, especially on nights out. Keep in touch with friends/family and let them know what you’re doing and where you’re going, and when. Try and travel with friends when you can - it will make your journey nicer as well!
- If you’re going to drink alcohol, be mindful about your limits and look out for each other.
- Make sure to keep your room & flat doors and windows locked when you’re not there.
- Look out for people who might try to follow you into buildings without their own key or access card.
- Make a note of important phone numbers, and maybe consider sharing them with friends if they’re comfortable with you doing so, in case of emergency (e.g. I got my parents’/flatmates’ permission to give their contact details to a couple of friends that I usually go out with).

UAL has actually compiled a page of their Tips and Advice for Staying Safe in London, which you can find here: https://www.arts.ac.uk/students/stories/tips-and-advice-for-staying-safe

3) I’ve been able to have jobs alongside my studies quite easily, but I think that’s because I’ve been careful about how I manage my time. Sometimes it’s necessary as a student to have a part-time job, especially with London being a bit more expensive. I think going through uni definitely helps you to learn about balancing the different parts of your life - finding enough time for work, having fun or going out, exercise, doing a part-time job, taking time out for yourself, getting enough sleep! There are periods of the year, especially close to deadlines, where balancing your life can become a bit stressful. I’m always careful not to take on more part-time work than I can manage, and remember to put my degree work and my personal wellbeing first. I also do yoga and go running which are great ways to take time out for yourself. In the past, UAL have actually run quite a few yoga classes and other wellbeing activities throughout the year (hopefully these will be on offer again next year, depending on the government guidance and the situation with the Covid-19 pandemic!).

4) I really enjoyed my experience in halls - I lived with people from very different courses and colleges to me, so I might otherwise not have met them. Sometimes it could get a bit noisy around my flat (but I lived above the common room!), but usually if you had a serious issue, you could talk to the staff at reception and they were always happy to help sort something out. I can only speak from my experience, and I’m not sure about losing a place due to poor behaviour, but I do know that sometimes (depending on the halls) if there are serious problems with behaviour in particular flats, there might be some kind of strike system based on numbers of incidences, which can have consequences, or if something gets badly damaged and it’s your fault, it might come out of your damages deposit. This is common in any form of renting. I personally never really had any negative experiences in my halls, and I know some people that even continued to live there in second year.

5) With regard to Glassyard, I can’t comment on this much, as this is a different person’s individual experience. The only experience I have of Glassyard is when I visited friends there a couple of times, and I thought it was a lovely building, and it’s in a really good location with regard to Chelsea College of Arts! Obviously if you encounter any problems like that during your stay there, I would advise you to talk to the appropriate staff who can take your issue further. Usually this might be the team at the front desk, or the Maintenance team, or an email contact. Additionally, the Arts SU might be able to offer you advice.


I hope that's helpful! And please let me know if you have any other questions!

Hannah
- UAL Student Rep