Referred to Content Creation by Brighton University

Hi, i was referred from Brighton’s illustration course to content creation because my portfolio ’matched that course more’ and ‘wasn’t good enough for the illustration course’, i submitted the same portfolio to every uni despite going specifically by Brighton’s guidelines so it definitely is sad, content creation isn’t very hands on and doesn’t produce illustrators either, i feel like they just over-subscribed and accepted too many offers. any advice?

If you don't want to do content creation then don't do it. Don't let any university change the pathway you want to take.
I had the same experience with UAL, I signed up for Fine art and they referred me to a drawing course because, alike you, "I wasn't good enough for the course". I'm frankly rejecting their offer.
I completely agree and it's also factual that unis allocate people to other courses that are less popular, don't bother falling for it. It's better to do what you KNOW you will like instead of creating a risk of you dropping out of a course you never wanted to do in the first place.
What are your other options looking like? was brighton the only uni you were fully set on?

I made the mistake of firming Brighton early since i knew that was where i wanted to go, and i believed the offer requirements were easy since all they said was that i needed a portfolio that aligns with their guidelines (those were the only ones i followed to a T) and they only needed me to get a pass on my current college course (my predicted is a high merit) and since i knew they offered people from lower income areas like me contextual offers. my insurance choice is anglia ruskin’s illustration course so i’m going to look into them, but i don’t really have too many options as it stands now unfortunately

I made the mistake of firming Brighton early since i knew that was where i wanted to go, and i believed the offer requirements were easy since all they said was that i needed a portfolio that aligns with their guidelines (those were the only ones i followed to a T) and they only needed me to get a pass on my current college course (my predicted is a high merit) and since i knew they offered people from lower income areas like me contextual offers. my insurance choice is anglia ruskin’s illustration course so i’m going to look into them, but i don’t really have too many options as it stands now unfortunately

Wait, so were you given an offer prior to them reviewing your portfolio? Your course offer was changed after them giving you an offer?
@PQ to advise possibly

i sent in my ucas application well before the deadline, i submitted my portfolio as soon as they invited me to the application portal, they gave me a conditional offer saying to compile a portfolio and what to include in the portfolio would be sent to me on the applicant portal (it never was, i went by the guidelines that they outlined on their website) and then they took a while to see my portfolio, they invited me to unibuddy, sent a postcard saying ‘welcome to brighton’ to my house so i assumed i was in, and then they contacted me in the application portal saying that they think my course is better suited for content creation. nothing has been changed on UCAS yet but they said their decision was final left a pretty bad taste in my mouth

What are your other UCAS choices (even the ones you declined)?
It’s not nice that Brighton are being such arses but you have lots of other options available.

I would also suggest sending details of your offer conditions and the communication from Brighton about your portfolio not meeting their criteria to [email protected] it’s not completely against the UCAS rules to make portfolio conditions in an offer but to then switch your course is against the spirit of the rules.

i applied to norwich university of the arts (declined) university of edinburgh (withdrew) university for the arts (declined) and anglia ruskin (insurance)

Do you like the idea of any of the offers you declined? It’s possible to swap your replies up until mid July - and that includes swapping a decline or an insurance to a firm.
Or any other universities that you didn’t apply to in your original 5 choices?

Heya! I've actually had the exact same thing happen to me, word for word.
I applied before deadline for illustration at Brighton, was given a conditional offer and asked for my portfolio, and was then told that my portfolio was a better match with content creation a few days ago- about a month after sending my portfolio in (also recieved the unibuddy invite and postcard between submitting my portfolio and recieving their decision.) I also firmed my offer early.
The content creation course is new for this year, so i've been wondering if perhaps they gave out their capacity of Illustration offers and are trying to fill up the new course with the remaining applicants?
So sorry to hear that you've been having to deal with this too- I know that it's left me feeling really down since I got the email. Please try not to let their decision make you feel like your work isn't good enough- i wish you all the best in your applications, and I'm sure you'll find a great place 👍😊

Best of luck to you too. One of the more enraging things i've read on student room lately... I feel mad for both of you on your behalf! I'm so sorry Brighton messed you around like this and wish you the best in finding a great place elsewhere.
I think you're absolutely right, that they oversubscribed Illustration intentionally. Really scummy behaviour on their part. I encourage you to follow PQ's advice and report it so at the very least they might be deincentivised to do it again.

thank you!! i went ahead and complained to UCAS and they told me to complain to Brighton and they disregarded the complaint entirely… i also told them to consider me for another similar course so i’m in the process of creating a whole new portfolio for brighton