UAL foundation vs parsons nyc

Hi there, I think I remember you from a post asking to switch from fine art to diagnostic at UAL FAD?
I'm assuming that you want to pursue interior design. Have you compared the two courses' content and the location of each one - what are your preferences?
I'm going to put it out there that, for the 2024/25 cohort experience for diagnostic, it's exploratory into different disciplines, but not as much as you would expect. Each day is a different specialism, so you won't get much time to delve into each one, as well as there being a lack of materials available (largely paper and cardboard). The one day graphic design session, for example, consisted of cutting out letters, rearranging them and photographing them in different ways. This is the first cohort after the two UAL courses merged, so maybe it's a bit unpolished now and may improve for your cohort, but it's worth considering in comparison to parsons (who are also immensely renowned, though I don't know about them in as much detail).
Another thing to consider is if you finish the FAD, UAL guarantees that you can progress to one of their courses (not always the one that you want, but considering you want to get into interior design, it's much likelier than if you applied for fashion). This will increase your chances getting into the course by quite a bit, if that's one of your concerns. But honestly, if you managed to get a place at Parson's in the first place, I feel like you'd be successful if you applied directly for the UAL interior design course.
In terms of prestige, employability and networks, both are on a similar level but UAL could arguably be better. Take all of this with a grain of salt though - good luck and congratulations on your offers

Hi uygsdjh, your post is very interesting to me! Could you please share more details about the diagnostic mode of the UAL Foundation? I have received an offer for this course, and while I also have offers for other BA programs at different universities, I am especially interested in the foundation course, as it would give me the opportunity to explore various disciplines before deciding which BA to pursue. I am still discovering my strengths and figuring out what I am most passionate about.
Do you feel that you receive enough support from the tutors to help you find your path? If you develop an interest in a particular discipline, can you choose to focus on it and explore it in depth?
What do you mean by "lack of materials"? Are we allowed to bring our own, or are we required to use only what is provided? Is it a lot paper crafts?
I am a bit worried that I won’t have enough time to explore, as I will need to start working on my portfolio and applications again in the winter. How has this been for you?
Do you have an idea how many UAL foundation students actually get into their BA of choice? Are there a lot with alternative offers they don't want?
Do you really enjoy the course? Does it feel like being part of a university, or is it more separate from the rest of UAL, so to speak?
Sorry for all the questions, but I would really appreciate your answer! It’s a tough decision to make without having any insider insights. Thanks a lot!

hiya are you an international or a home student? i’ve applied too and am curious as to whether they’re responding to home students at this point

Hi uygsdjh, your post is very interesting to me! Could you please share more details about the diagnostic mode of the UAL Foundation? I have received an offer for this course, and while I also have offers for other BA programs at different universities, I am especially interested in the foundation course, as it would give me the opportunity to explore various disciplines before deciding which BA to pursue. I am still discovering my strengths and figuring out what I am most passionate about.
Do you feel that you receive enough support from the tutors to help you find your path? If you develop an interest in a particular discipline, can you choose to focus on it and explore it in depth?
What do you mean by "lack of materials"? Are we allowed to bring our own, or are we required to use only what is provided? Is it a lot paper crafts?
I am a bit worried that I won’t have enough time to explore, as I will need to start working on my portfolio and applications again in the winter. How has this been for you?
Do you have an idea how many UAL foundation students actually get into their BA of choice? Are there a lot with alternative offers they don't want?
Do you really enjoy the course? Does it feel like being part of a university, or is it more separate from the rest of UAL, so to speak?
Sorry for all the questions, but I would really appreciate your answer! It’s a tough decision to make without having any insider insights. Thanks a lot!

Hi, no problem I'd love to help and congrats on your offers.
Like I've said before, my experience on diagnostic for 2024/25 was different from what was expected. You come in 3 days a week and each day explores a different specialism, with each week having a different theme. This exploratory phase is Part 1 of the course and lasts for 3 months or so, roughly from September to November, before undertaking an extension project into the field that most interests you while they grade you. It's enough to give you a vague idea of what's on offer at UAL, but won't give you much insight as to the actual specialisms themselves or what they're about holistically, like the graphic design example. If you want to learn more about each specialism, you'd have to undertake your own research and potentially ask the tutor visiting that day for more information. Each lesson is largely you being given a brief overview of what the specialism is, previous examples of work by other artists and then you're just told to complete a task where you can do whatever. There is creative freedom for sure in this, but largely no teaching at this stage, so if that's something to consider. Part 2 is a bit more structured though once you specialise, so that might be up your alley otherwise.
In terms of support to find your specialism, you're largely left to decide for yourself. Near the end of Part 1, you'll be scheduled a meeting with a designated tutor to discuss options. You then have a few weeks after that to decide which you want and that's that. You could potentially ask for more support, but since there's a new teacher everyday and they're all quite busy, you might not get much. If a specialism interests you and want to focus on it, you have to do that in your own time until you apply for it for Part 2. The specialism you pick for Part 2 is not guaranteed and you may get put into another one if the tutor thinks you're better suited for a different one, or the specialism is too competitive (this is extremely true for fashion).
For lack of materials, this may change for next year, but at Lime Grove this year we were mainly given just paper, cardboard and string. It was a free-for-all for materials, so if you don't get to the front quick enough, it's likely you won't really have much to work with. However, you can absolutely bring in as many materials you would like to work with if you can do so.
In terms of time to portfolio development, if you're applying for universities besides UAL, the diagnostic route will not give you polished enough pieces to put into a competitive portfolio. My university portfolio was completely, bar a few pieces, made in my own time. If you can develop work done from workshops in your own time, it may make it easier potentially. If you want to apply to UAL, you must submit your UCAS by late December max to meet the internal deadline (tutors need time to write your teacher's reference and whatnot). I personally felt like diagnostic wasn't helpful in this regard and ate into my portfolio creation time, but if you specialised from the start you'd have a much better experience.
In terms of progression to BA courses, I'm not sure of the exact statistics, but it's very mixed and largely dependent on how competitive the course is. Fashion is, of course, the riskiest one due to the sheer amount of talented applicants. But you do get a lot more of an advantage compared to external applicants who aren't on foundation, so if you're set on getting into UAL for a relatively competitive course, the foundation would be a good idea if you can spare the time and possibly money. Quite a few people end up being given alternative offers instead, so also keep this in consideration.
For me, this course isn't my cup of tea in hindsight, but a lot of other people are really enjoying their experience, so take my opinions with a grain of salt. The campus does somewhat feel removed from the rest of the university, but you can always visit all the other campuses and join clubs and societies, so you can still meet other people and cultivate that community feeling if you'd like. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask and good luck

Hi all I am in a fix On a decision i got into UAL foundation for art and design and just got an offer letter from parsons nyc for interior design BFA 4 yrs but the first year is like a foundation but very exploratory
I had wanted to apply for Chelsea UAL post my foundation
But u am very confused on which is a better school in terms of teaching and my future
Please do share me some advice

Hi, I am an international. All the best for your application!