A Level Subject Options Help!!!

I'm currently going to study History, Politics and Economics at A Level. I chose those subjects because they all are extremely interesting to me, and i've had lots of fun (genuinely) beginning the summer work.

However, i had a mini-crisis when i realised what i planned to do at uni (history/politics/law) wasn't what i wanted to do as a career at all. I want to illustration.

Art has always been my passion - i love creating it, i love seeing others art and i love the community around it. I have an aptitude in it as well and recently 8 at GCSE. However, i *despised* the art gcse course with my whole heart - that's what dropped me the grade, and my own financial circumstance (which made me realise the privilege of the wealthy in regards to art, sighh lol). If i die and go to hell, art gcse and chemistry gcse will be waiting for me. It's only after finishing the gcse that i find so, so much joy creating again. I've even helped design the logo and website of my mum's freelance business. That's how i realised it's not just creating the art, but marketing and specifying for a client that i found i loved.

i realised i would be unhappy with my life if i couldn't do art for others, or for myself as a job. That really woke me up, in a way. If i'd do it at A Level, i'm extremely apprehensive that the course will be similar to the gcse. I love investigating and developing my portfolio, but working to fit a mark scheme makes me run away as fast as i can. But i don't think a university would accept me without art A Level, right?

I'm also concerned about time management. I'm absolutely not against making a portfolio website for uni application, i would enjoy it so much. But three heavy essay subjects with lots of reading will definitely take up time.

My family is extremely academic, my sibling goes to Cambridge University, but she is the only one in my family who's ever gone to university. My mum is *very* supportive, whatever i do. I appreciate it, but i feel like i struggle to find a middle ground of constructive criticism. My default mindset is 'get a job with money' just because, growing up poor, deciding to go into illustration is inherently a very, very scary idea to me. But i'm a passionate and ambitious person, so i'm trapped in a limbo. I don't want to make a mistake.

Should i continue on with the A Levels i've chose and pursue Illustration despite that? Or just go for a 'stable' degree like Law/History/Politics?
On the other hand, would it be better for me to switch to A Level Art and pair it with Politics and English Language/Literature?

I appreciate any and all advice! Thank you :smile:

Reply 1

McGinger

You could still do just these 3 A levels, and then take a one-year Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at a local college or Uni. This would allow you to focus on your A levels, and then have a whole year of in-depth A&D. This qualification is the most common route to art-related Uni degrees.
Examples :
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design | Leeds Arts University
Foundation Diploma in Art, Design… – AUB – Arts University Bournemouth

Reply 2

beaten-papaya

Does your college allow you to pick 4 courses and then drop one after first year?

Because if yes, you could pick an art course with your other three.

As for University requirements, go look. Check out the entry requirements for courses and universities that appeal and find out what you'd need to apply.

Ultimately, you don't need a degree to pursue art as a career and you don't need to do it as a career to still do it.

What you do it at University doesn't need to define your entire life and it feels like you're looking at this like you can never change your mind and your life will be fixed depending on what A-Levels you choose. It isn't. Do what you enjoy and you'll figure out the rest as it happens.

Reply 3

not in a room

"I've even helped design the logo and website of my mum's freelance business. That's how i realised it's not just creating the art, but marketing and specifying for a client that i found i loved"

Have you considered graphic design instead of art if it is an option? I studied it at A-level and this is the sort of work you can do for a project as well as illustration if it fits, so you may enjoy it.

If you can, try to find out how the art subjects are taught at the college to see if you would enjoy them; avoid them if you think you will burn out again and/or won't enjoy the course content. This especially since you are already enjoying your subjects now and you don't need art A-level to study it at university—only your portfolio (there could be rare exceptions). I don't think switching to English would be necessary as they aren't looking for specific a-levels, is this for a lower workload perhaps?

The art foundation year others have mentioned is a good idea if you are unsure if you want to pursue an art degree or fall short of entry requirements. If you study at a university, you will almost always be guaranteed a place on related art courses there if you pass. Look into if you can study locally though, as there is no maintenance loan to cover living expenses if no university or college offers it where you are. It will be free if you leave college at eighteen (it's a level 3 course), or £5421 otherwise (there are other learner loans through student finance you can find but this option may be inaccessible if you are unlucky).

You could still study one of the “safer” degrees at university but pursue illustration during or after your studies and use the degree for a backup career, or use your degree and have illustration be a side-job. You evidently have the passion that would be a shame to waste if you never tried to pursue the career as you desire, whether through university or not. The mindset about feeling like you need to get a job with money is a factor in why we unfortunately see low representation of working-class people in creative sectors. I would say to have a solid plan if you decide not to study illustration to minimise regrets and maximise the value of the degree you do choose, rather than trying to figure it out later and finding the degree not being as useful as you hoped.

I don't have graduate wisdom so take my advice with a grain of salt. Good luck.

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 4

Nat at Falmouth

Official Rep

Hi cchapmandeas,

I completely understand this concern of yours and it’s great to see you are planning and considering things so far ahead!

Regarding your A levels, it might benefit you to talk to your colleges art department, to get both insight into the structure of the art course and the pros/cons of having an A level in art (from an experienced professors perspective!). Your college might also be able to help you regarding foundation years.

Having an art A level would certainly streamline your applications, but nowadays there are many avenues into the art field, especially with the different specialisations offered ie drawing/ contemporary fine art/ animation etc. Art is very subjective, and many universities understand this, instead considering a variety of elements such as the individuals interpersonal abilities, ucas points, ability to adapt (particularly in illustration), and portfolio and ideas generation (technical skills can always be developed and worked on after all). Of course, every university is different. Have you considered any? And if so, what requirements do they have for their BA illustration courses?

Ourselves at Falmouth do offer BA Illustration as a course, either as a standard 3 year course or 4 years with either a Foundation or Integrated Placement of which you can read more of here: https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/illustration .

While studying here, I’ve met a variety of amazing people that have all had different backgrounds and experiences in the art field ie. Having done an A level, a foundation year, or simply developing their visual work independently and coming down to uni to round off their skills :smile:

And as others have mentioned, there is no rule that says you need to go to uni as soon as you’ve done your A levels. It’s very normal for artists to take a year or two out to work on themselves and their art, so don’t feel rushed or as if you are missing out. As mentioned before, some influencing factors you might want to consider include: what universities would you be interested in attending and what are their entry requirements? What skills and connections will you gain from attending this course? What is the environment and atmosphere like for the art students?

A lot of these questions are best answered by attending Open days or workshops hosted by the universities themselves, as they allow you to view the facilities, talk to lecturers and receive advice for applications/art, and get a general gist of the work environment of the students. At Falmouth University we offer private 1-1 tours with ambassadors from your course of interest, as well as bigger open days where you get the chance to talk to the lecturers, of which more details can be found here: https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/experience/open-days-visiting-us :smile:

Ultimately, art degrees aren’t make or break for your creative career, instead I would recommend you to view them more as a stepping stone for yourself and the development of your work/portfolio.

I wish you good luck with your choice, and am happy to answer any other questions you might have!

Nat