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Got rejected from hertfordshire and now unsure whether to study at UAL instead

I was aiming to go for herts for the comic and Concept Art course but sadly I didn't meet the cut for their expectations. I'm not suprised since it's a very competitive course and they even told me themselves they have high standards but all my other unis have given me offers. My second choice was UAL studying games art and from the looks of it it looks really cool and supportive plus london has far more life in comparison. I'm just unsure whether I should commit to the idea of UAL or maybe take a practice year to work on building my work like how I was suggested in my portfolio advice from herts. They did assure me on my ucas rejection that my rejection doesn't mean I won't be able to get into anywhere else I just know it's ranked very high in the field I want to go into and apparently a lot of students have had the opportunity to get into very well known companies. I'm just really unsure. Is UAL just as good? Or should I take a practice foundation year to risk it and try get in again? All the unis I applied for were UAL, Leeds arts university, De montfort, UCA and Hertfordshire. I got offers from all except herts of course. Any opinions?
(edited 1 month ago)
Hi,
It’s great to hear that you have applied with us to study BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art. This unique course is one of the first to bring together comic and concept art. Throughout this degree, you will refine your design, drawing and digital visualisation skills to create believable worlds and bring to life immersive stories from your imagination.

https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/courses/ba-hons-comic-and-concept-art

Leeds is a great city to study in with a thriving arts community. 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. The Sunday Times has recently named it as the best place to live in the north. I have enclosed a link below with some of our must-visit places:

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

We recommend if you haven't already to visit one of our offer holder days, it will give you the opportunity to explore our campus and the city itself. Our friendly staff and student ambassadors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
You can also chat with one of our current students if you have any questions about the course or studying in Leeds.
https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/chat-to-a-student

If you have any more questions please let me know. 😎

Leeds Arts University Rep!

Reply 2

Is this bait? UAL is a top 3 art school in the world. It is also in a phenomenal part of a global city, renowned for artistic output. I have no idea what makes you think Herts even remotely compares.

Reply 3

Original post by Maryjs
I was aiming to go for herts for the comic and Concept Art course but sadly I didn't meet the cut for their expectations. I'm not suprised since it's a very competitive course and they even told me themselves they have high standards but all my other unis have given me offers. My second choice was UAL studying games art and from the looks of it it looks really cool and supportive plus london has far more life in comparison. I'm just unsure whether I should commit to the idea of UAL or maybe take a practice year to work on building my work like how I was suggested in my portfolio advice from herts. They did assure me on my ucas rejection that my rejection doesn't mean I won't be able to get into anywhere else I just know it's ranked very high in the field I want to go into and apparently a lot of students have had the opportunity to get into very well known companies. I'm just really unsure. Is UAL just as good? Or should I take a practice foundation year to risk it and try get in again? All the unis I applied for were UAL, Leeds arts university, De montfort, UCA and Hertfordshire. I got offers from all except herts of course. Any opinions?

Is there a reason you’ve rules out DMU? Their games course is one of the most established in England
Original post by david.leone
Is this bait? UAL is a top 3 art school in the world. It is also in a phenomenal part of a global city, renowned for artistic output. I have no idea what makes you think Herts even remotely compares.

UAL is a great university but it's games course is comparatively new when compared to Herts and DMU, among others. So there are more graduates from those universities working in industry than UAL.

UAL also do not have any advertised industry accreditations and their website shows a poor variety of student work mostly focusing on 2D, which is worrying for a primarily 3D course. I would encourage you to research industry-recognised accredited courses. TIGA accreditation is great, look at Rookies, Unreal academic accreditation, Screenskills. Try looking up your favourite UK games studios on LinkedIn and tab to people>where they studied to see where people are actually getting into industry from, too.


Is there a reason you’ve rules out DMU? Their games course is one of the most established in England

As PQ says DMU has been running Game Art since 2008(ish) and have a very established course. They also have a (newer, 2020) comic and concept art course - headed up by one of the old Game Art lecturers.

You don't specify what course you applied for anywhere other than UAL or Herts, so...

Assuming you are interested in being a Concept artist over a comic artist (as that course name is a pet peeve of mine) Concept art is typically freelancers and people working on short-term contracts working for film, tv and games companies. It typically involves working to specific briefs and deadlines. (i.e. draw multiple different angles of a sci-fi styled lamppost) You might draw over the top of 3D models in order to meet tight turnarounds or meet standards to maintain consistency. There are some full-time, permanent concept artists out there but they are a scarcity- Really not many in the country.

The main things I would say, having worked with concept artists, if you are absolutely set on being a concept artist:

Learn 3D (essential in the modern industry, for both films and games, yes- even if you want to be a concept artist) https://theartsquirrel.com/26/using-3d-software-for-illustration-comics-concept-art-and-digital-painting/

In general, if you're torn between Game art and Comic & concept, I would recommend you pick Game Art as it will still give you the skills to make a concept art portfolio and you have a solid understanding of 3D to fall back on.

Learn some business skills, especially for freelancing and information about being self employed, what that meaningfully means for you and your finances, how to set your own rates, etc.

Have a backup plan

Feel free to reach out if you have any other Qs

Reply 5

Original post by aspalax
UAL is a great university but it's games course is comparatively new when compared to Herts and DMU, among others. So there are more graduates from those universities working in industry than UAL.
UAL also do not have any advertised industry accreditations and their website shows a poor variety of student work mostly focusing on 2D, which is worrying for a primarily 3D course. I would encourage you to research industry-recognised accredited courses. TIGA accreditation is great, look at Rookies, Unreal academic accreditation, Screenskills. Try looking up your favourite UK games studios on LinkedIn and tab to people>where they studied to see where people are actually getting into industry from, too.
As PQ says DMU has been running Game Art since 2008(ish) and have a very established course. They also have a (newer, 2020) comic and concept art course - headed up by one of the old Game Art lecturers.
You don't specify what course you applied for anywhere other than UAL or Herts, so...
Assuming you are interested in being a Concept artist over a comic artist (as that course name is a pet peeve of mine) Concept art is typically freelancers and people working on short-term contracts working for film, tv and games companies. It typically involves working to specific briefs and deadlines. (i.e. draw multiple different angles of a sci-fi styled lamppost) You might draw over the top of 3D models in order to meet tight turnarounds or meet standards to maintain consistency. There are some full-time, permanent concept artists out there but they are a scarcity- Really not many in the country.
The main things I would say, having worked with concept artists, if you are absolutely set on being a concept artist:

Learn 3D (essential in the modern industry, for both films and games, yes- even if you want to be a concept artist) https://theartsquirrel.com/26/using-3d-software-for-illustration-comics-concept-art-and-digital-painting/

In general, if you're torn between Game art and Comic & concept, I would recommend you pick Game Art as it will still give you the skills to make a concept art portfolio and you have a solid understanding of 3D to fall back on.

Learn some business skills, especially for freelancing and information about being self employed, what that meaningfully means for you and your finances, how to set your own rates, etc.

Have a backup plan

Feel free to reach out if you have any other Qs

Okay your answer is way, way better than mine. I’m an ignorant tech guy. OP, listen to everything this person says. I will throw in one minor thing which is to say that sending the department or course runners an email to ask about accreditation might not be the worst idea. But yeah.

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