Going to fail foundation year even though I got good grades in A Level

Jml2022

1

So I’ll start by saying I just completed my Foundation year in Art and Design. I applied to this course because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study for undergraduate. Throughout the foundation year I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. I chose the graphic design pathway because I thought it would be easier in the future for me to get a job, but I hated it. I went the whole year doing it and once I completed the foundation I contacted my uni saying I wanted to switch to the fine art undergraduate degree for progression, despite already knowing that I’m going to fail the Foundation year.

I’m not a bad student (grades A*, A, C for a-levels), my work is good, my attendance has just been awful. I’ve had a rough year struggling with anxiety and other personal issues, as well as detesting my course. Because of this when it came to applying for undergraduate courses I didn’t apply to any apart from the one I’m already at (I was too stressed to think about any other options). So unfortunately I don’t have any options for other unis now. And, I’m going to fail Foundation so I won’t be able to continue at the uni I’m already in, nor do I really want to stay anyway.

I really don’t know what to do now which is why I’m here. Is it possible for me to email different unis directly with my A-level grades and a portfolio etc? Or is that not an option? Will I have to try going through clearing? Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Reply 1

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

Your current university may be willing to accept you.

You might not have failed.

Do you think that your anxiety would be better at a different university?
Have you notified your university about your anxiety? And approached your gp for support?

Reply 2

username6205707

18

I'm not sure if the work you did in the graphic design foundation year will be the same in a career. To see if I would enjoy the work of a career, I would do an internship because it lets me interact with future co-workers and see if the relationships are smooth. If I can't secure an internship, I would listen to people talk about their experiences in their careers and see if I can fit in.
Is there something you can do to pass the foundation year?
Is the undergraduate coursework different from what you did in the foundation year?
I would email different universities directly with your grades, a portfolio and any other items. Maybe you can gain a university place in clearing.

Reply 3

University of Huddersfield

Official Rep

16

Original post by Jml2022

So I’ll start by saying I just completed my Foundation year in Art and Design. I applied to this course because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study for undergraduate. Throughout the foundation year I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. I chose the graphic design pathway because I thought it would be easier in the future for me to get a job, but I hated it. I went the whole year doing it and once I completed the foundation I contacted my uni saying I wanted to switch to the fine art undergraduate degree for progression, despite already knowing that I’m going to fail the Foundation year.

I’m not a bad student (grades A*, A, C for a-levels), my work is good, my attendance has just been awful. I’ve had a rough year struggling with anxiety and other personal issues, as well as detesting my course. Because of this when it came to applying for undergraduate courses I didn’t apply to any apart from the one I’m already at (I was too stressed to think about any other options). So unfortunately I don’t have any options for other unis now. And, I’m going to fail Foundation so I won’t be able to continue at the uni I’m already in, nor do I really want to stay anyway.

I really don’t know what to do now which is why I’m here. Is it possible for me to email different unis directly with my A-level grades and a portfolio etc? Or is that not an option? Will I have to try going through clearing? Please, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

@Jml2022

It's good that you know that don't want to pursue graphic design. One of the purposes of an Art Foundation is to help decide whether or not you want to specialise in a particular area of art, knowing that you want to pursue Fine Art is a good thing.

Though of course, if you are not sure whether you want to study Fine Art, do consider your other A' levels and what you might like to do instead.

It's important that you address the anxiety matter, as this could become an issue on any course you do.

It is difficult to be motivated when your are not enjoying your course, but you have got through this year and hopefully you haven't failed the course!

I did an Art Foundation and did not pass. I was given a chance to redo the final piece and then I passed. It felt pretty rubbish to have failed initially, but I did go on to study Fine Art at university : ) I have a degree in Fine Art (2:1).

You don't have to do an Art Foundation to apply for Fine Art at university. An Art Foundation is useful because it helps you create a portfolio which will normal show a range of artistic skills which will likely be more varied than your artwork from A' level.

I would advise you go through clearing.

There should be some good places still where you can study Fine Art.

All the best!

Oluwatosin – 2nd year student – University of Huddersfield

Going to fail foundation year even though I got good grades in A Level

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