HELP where do i pick for my art foundation (uk, starting sept 2025)

To be honest with you, considering a foundation course is only one year long I would suggest you stay in London and start putting aside some savings during this time, and then next year you can branch out with the support of student loans and these savings. I'll be honest, it's not super easy to find part time work here in Glasgow as a student and it's expensive to live independently. If this would be your only source of income it could be a risk without having student loans to back you. Its also very possible to get into a GSA degree without having done a foundation/ preparatory course there - I did my HNC at a totally unrelated college and got an offer into the 2nd year of the painting and printmaking degree at GSA for this year. Obviously, the portfolio prep course at GSA would ensure your portfolio included all the things that GSA want to see, but from my own experience you can find this information online - join information sessions, look at portfolios of other successful candidates, go to an open day if you can. This is how I curated my portfolio, and it ended up being extremely successful. Also be aware that it's possible that you can go and do the portfolio prep course at GSA and still be rejected from their degrees - GSA has a very small number of places available, and competition is insanely high. Make sure you have a backup plan. There are many routes into the art field, and always remember that you can change your plans, and if you are not successful at first you can always reapply (I was rejected 1st time!). Good luck!

wait why wont you be able to get funding for a foundation, isnt it just 1 year plus so there for counts as your gift year

Hi, im a yr 13 student from London and next year planning on taking an art foundation. Initially my goal was to stay in Ldn and go to UAL but now im beginning to debate my options for a variety of reasons. (for context the art foundations i got accepted into are arts uni bournemouth, arts uni plymouth, ual, manny met, the gsa portfolio prep course, ravensbourne and ual)
Pros of UAL: good rep, can live at home and make some money working part time, ik people in the city/it wouldnt be a drastic change to sixth form
CONS for UAL: i find the limegrove campus hideous and soul destroying (also pretty long commute), it wouldnt be a drastic change to sixth form, also loads of people in the course- not a lot of specific feedback, have heard its incredibly disorganised (bc its only gonna be the 2nd year at limegrove) etc
Pros for all the others include that i like the idea of moving away, (esp liked AUB when i visited) and if i went to GSA its a pretty sure way of getting into a degree there (which is what i want to do in the future)
Cons: cant get student loans for foundation so would have to work to pay for living expenses
ANY advice, experience or just anyone thinking abt this as well would be so helpful Xxxxxxx

Hi, im a yr 13 student from London and next year planning on taking an art foundation. Initially my goal was to stay in Ldn and go to UAL but now im beginning to debate my options for a variety of reasons. (for context the art foundations i got accepted into are arts uni bournemouth, arts uni plymouth, ual, manny met, the gsa portfolio prep course, ravensbourne and ual)
Pros of UAL: good rep, can live at home and make some money working part time, ik people in the city/it wouldnt be a drastic change to sixth form
CONS for UAL: i find the limegrove campus hideous and soul destroying (also pretty long commute), it wouldnt be a drastic change to sixth form, also loads of people in the course- not a lot of specific feedback, have heard its incredibly disorganised (bc its only gonna be the 2nd year at limegrove) etc
Pros for all the others include that i like the idea of moving away, (esp liked AUB when i visited) and if i went to GSA its a pretty sure way of getting into a degree there (which is what i want to do in the future)
Cons: cant get student loans for foundation so would have to work to pay for living expenses
ANY advice, experience or just anyone thinking abt this as well would be so helpful Xxxxxxx

thanks so much for ur response, i havent met anyone who goes to glasgow so its nice to hear a first person perspective Xxx

hey I was wondering what decision u ended up making as I’m also in a similar boat trying to decide between the two - also do u know when we need to let ual know by whether we’re accepting a place there?

Hey, im gonna stick with UAL i think. I visited the campus again on an open day on sat and acc LOVED it. the building is so nice, everyone i met was really sweet and friendly, i liked the tutors etc etc. (must have just been abit of a **** day the first time i visited). I think u should accept the place asap bc u can always just contact them and withdraw ur application but idk the specific deadline for that. Wherelse r u thinking of and also best of luck Xx

Hi, im a yr 13 student from London and next year planning on taking an art foundation. Initially my goal was to stay in Ldn and go to UAL but now im beginning to debate my options for a variety of reasons. (for context the art foundations i got accepted into are arts uni bournemouth, arts uni plymouth, ual, manny met, the gsa portfolio prep course, ravensbourne and ual)
Pros of UAL: good rep, can live at home and make some money working part time, ik people in the city/it wouldnt be a drastic change to sixth form
CONS for UAL: i find the limegrove campus hideous and soul destroying (also pretty long commute), it wouldnt be a drastic change to sixth form, also loads of people in the course- not a lot of specific feedback, have heard its incredibly disorganised (bc its only gonna be the 2nd year at limegrove) etc
Pros for all the others include that i like the idea of moving away, (esp liked AUB when i visited) and if i went to GSA its a pretty sure way of getting into a degree there (which is what i want to do in the future)
Cons: cant get student loans for foundation so would have to work to pay for living expenses
ANY advice, experience or just anyone thinking abt this as well would be so helpful Xxxxxxx