Access to HE Art in London

I posted this late last night in Mature Students but maybe it might be better to share in Arts community
I need advice about getting back into art education, picking up where I left off in 2013. I got good grades and was well prepared when I completed my Btec ext. Diploma lv.3 in Fine Art but due to intense personal issues, misfortunes the whole lot I developed mental health issues and wasn't supported at my uni, it was different times then and thankfully awareness has progressed on, and so has my personal circumstances.
Luckily now, I live in my own secure space in London on the central line, and I really find myself with this burning desire to reclaim a passion and path I have always kinda, mourned really. Times have moved on though and I really need to brush up my skills, get together a university worthy portfolio as well as get back into the academic writing mindset again. This is what made me think that going for an Access course would be a better fit than spending a year putting a portfolio together and approaching a foundation course, hope I'm right on that one?
At first I was impressed with the sound of Kingston College, but after delving into the reviews it doesn't seem all that. I'm more considering Morely Chelsea but I am hearing mixed things... any ideas? I would be looking to focus on Fine Art again, but I am looking forward to the thought of trying different things on an access course!
Also any advice on the kind of things that I could include in the portfolio for the Access course would be great, I find it funny that I have in mind what should be in a university type portfolio, yet of course it's been so many years and I don't have the access to the facilities that I enjoyed while I was in institute, I'm guessing they'd just be looking for a selection of paintings and drawings, sketch books that could be done at home as well as enthusiasm? I don't want to overthink it... just enjoy a year of learning about the art scene again and exploring and enjoying making art where I'm at in my life right now!

Hi @Cdiamond7
It's great to hear that you're passionate about getting back into arts education!! 🥳
I completed both a BA and an MA degree at University of the Arts London and loved the facilities and the way my creativity flourished in so many ways during my time there!!
Since 1842, UAL has been defining creative education. We're a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.
I understand you aren't leaning towards doing a foundation course. But on UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, you would have the opportunity to try lots of different things. The course is divided into 4 curriculum areas, each with its own specialist pathways: 3D Design, Fashion & Textiles, Fine Art and Communication Design. You would be given the time and tools to be able to explore and enjoy making art where you're at in my life right now!!
In regard to advice for you're portfolio. They want to see you and what you can produce, be authentic, include mistakes you have learnt from, include elements of your research and process, and don't just include final outcomes. I would say include 3-5 projects total, with 1-3 pages for each process and a page per project for your final outcome. I like to have a caption alongside my work. I think a few sentences per image is appropriate, as you want your work to shine more than you're writing in your portfolio. We also have a portfolio page with some more advice 😀
If you have any questions about UAL, feel free to send them my way 💫
We have open days running year-round. Please come and see if UAL would be a good fit for you!!

I posted this late last night in Mature Students but maybe it might be better to share in Arts community
I need advice about getting back into art education, picking up where I left off in 2013. I got good grades and was well prepared when I completed my Btec ext. Diploma lv.3 in Fine Art but due to intense personal issues, misfortunes the whole lot I developed mental health issues and wasn't supported at my uni, it was different times then and thankfully awareness has progressed on, and so has my personal circumstances.
Luckily now, I live in my own secure space in London on the central line, and I really find myself with this burning desire to reclaim a passion and path I have always kinda, mourned really. Times have moved on though and I really need to brush up my skills, get together a university worthy portfolio as well as get back into the academic writing mindset again. This is what made me think that going for an Access course would be a better fit than spending a year putting a portfolio together and approaching a foundation course, hope I'm right on that one?
At first I was impressed with the sound of Kingston College, but after delving into the reviews it doesn't seem all that. I'm more considering Morely Chelsea but I am hearing mixed things... any ideas? I would be looking to focus on Fine Art again, but I am looking forward to the thought of trying different things on an access course!
Also any advice on the kind of things that I could include in the portfolio for the Access course would be great, I find it funny that I have in mind what should be in a university type portfolio, yet of course it's been so many years and I don't have the access to the facilities that I enjoyed while I was in institute, I'm guessing they'd just be looking for a selection of paintings and drawings, sketch books that could be done at home as well as enthusiasm? I don't want to overthink it... just enjoy a year of learning about the art scene again and exploring and enjoying making art where I'm at in my life right now!