If you used Clearing in 2024, how did you find it?

Really need to decide now, Leeds Art University or Beckett for illustration?

Going through clearing for an illustration degree in Leeds.

I feel like Beckett being bigger might be good in terms of general support, societies etc. LAU might be limited socially etc but however has the pull of being a dedicated art school.

I'm intermediate skill level and really want to push myself and have a great portfolio at the end of it. The Beckett course mentions graphic design and animation, does anyone know if LAU would have those elements in the course too? Also I want to focus on practical work over theoretical, so the course with more practical assignments etc would suit me better.

Any opinions at all would be so great :smile:

I just really need to decide and go with something

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 1

MartynaS2005

Ngl if you do illustration then might see you there lmfao cause that's the course I'm doing at Leeds Art, but I don't know I mean i mainly applied to LAU since I did their foundation course and was more familiar with their process so it's whichever is more convenient for you and which facilities you prefer

Reply 2

MartynaS2005

Whichever you choose I wish you luck, but also I'm pretty use both courses do practical work based on what we did in foundation

Reply 3

Wentove

Original post by MartynaS2005

Whichever you choose I wish you luck, but also I'm pretty use both courses do practical work based on what we did in foundation

Thanks pal. Still leaning towards Beckett but might see you yes, haha. Did you go to any open days for it?

Reply 4

MartynaS2005

Original post by Wentove

Thanks pal. Still leaning towards Beckett but might see you yes, haha. Did you go to any open days for it?

I didn't go to any beckett open days but I've been at lau a few times

Reply 5

Wentove

Original post by MartynaS2005

I didn't go to any beckett open days but I've been at lau a few times

Yo would you mind letting me know what it was like? The resources, teachers, how many students. Idk why I feel like it might be a quiet course

Reply 6

LeedsArtUniRep

Official Rep

Hi,

It’s great to hear you want to study Illustration in Leeds. Leeds is a great city to be a student in with a thriving arts community. At Leeds Arts University, there’s always something different to do so you are guaranteed an excellent social life. Our campus is based next to the city centre, so you have a range of great cafes, shops, green spaces and galleries at your doorstep. I have enclosed a link below with some of our must-visit places:

https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/life-in-leeds

Our Students’ Union has a number of different societies to choose from, you can take a look at the link below. In addition, they hold different events during Freshers Week and throughout the year giving you the opportunity to connect with different people.

https://www.leedsartsunion.org.uk/societies

We have a wide range of options to support you whilst you are at university with our Student Advice and Wellbeing and Academic Support teams. We have a friendly and inclusive approach and help encourage students throughout their journey.

https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/student-support

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. ☺️

Leeds Arts University Rep

(edited 3 weeks ago)

Reply 7

MartynaS2005

Original post by Wentove

Yo would you mind letting me know what it was like? The resources, teachers, how many students. Idk why I feel like it might be a quiet course

It's not been to bad so far ngl, this week was the first week of starting actual studio sessions and it's pretty chill

Reply 8

Wentove

Original post by MartynaS2005

It's not been to bad so far ngl, this week was the first week of starting actual studio sessions and it's pretty chill

damn son it sounds good, they didn't let me in because i didn't have a lvl 3 in art/design. i thought they might consider based on portfolio but it was a hard no.

Reply 9

dirtmother

Things start to get more flexible once you are over 21. And you can do an Access to HE course from 19 anyway (well worth considering - there are sound reasons to get a Level 3 of some sort if you can and if not any offer is likely to be a four year course that includes a foundation year which will be more generic art & design than illustration)

We found that some institutions are more 'computer says no' than others about Level 3 and don't let your application portfolio near the actual course tutors (who would say yes) You start to sniff those out a bit. I don't know if you have the option to cast your net wider than Leeds.

Reply 10

Wentove

Original post by dirtmother

Things start to get more flexible once you are over 21. And you can do an Access to HE course from 19 anyway (well worth considering - there are sound reasons to get a Level 3 of some sort if you can and if not any offer is likely to be a four year course that includes a foundation year which will be more generic art & design than illustration)
We found that some institutions are more 'computer says no' than others about Level 3 and don't let your application portfolio near the actual course tutors (who would say yes) You start to sniff those out a bit. I don't know if you have the option to cast your net wider than Leeds.

unfortunately going further than Leeds isn't easy, with my family situation right now I wouldn't feel right leaving. i had more than enough ucas points just not the right subjects for them, which is frustrating because i feel like a personal portfolio should have as much weight as a level 3 in art/design. so my UCAS points and portfolio i felt should have been worth considering. i did consider an access/foundation course but got some backlash from my mum saying i just need to get on with it and get a degree plus i think it's too late to get onto one. oh well. thank you for your advice though i really appreciate it.