Which is the best art university in the UK?

A question about A-level art?

• Hey! I'm in year 10 at the moment, and I'm really interested in doing art at a-level but I have been told I need to have a GCSE in art or any design subject. Is this really true? When I was choosing my options for GCSEs, I was considering doing art, but art and music came under the same block, so I had to choose between them. And since I have a passion for music, I choose music instead. Now I kind of regret it, but I hope I'm still able to get on that course, because not only do I want to do it but it's crucial since I want to become an architect, and study architecture in university. On the other hand, I do have some background on art, as I have done my "Arts award" (http://www.artsaward.org.uk/site/?id=64) but only in bronze and I'm expecting to do my gold sometime next year. At the moment I'm busy concentrating on my GCSEs and I didn't manage to do my silver because I was to busy doing a project called BLAZE (http://www.blazeonline.org.uk/). I was wondering if my project will give me an equal chance or if a bronze art award will be enough to get into A-Level Art? I feel I lack the skill to draw, but I'm prepared to take some classes beforehand, if not, I will do my gold, if it's necessary. Any advice would be fully appreciated, thank you!

• Answer:

  speak to you school now if you really want to do it. But you have to look at the fact that drawing will let you down...if youre going to use Art as a basis for your future then fight to get into the class, if youre doing it just because you like it, why not go down the music route for A level, and art in outside classes? Schools have criteria for students in further education for 2 reasons: 1. their result on a level goes towards the schools credibility 2. the student who is likely to fail with poor or no prior experience will close doors in their future with poor results. my advice is to stick to what subjects you are actually doing for GCSE to continue in A level, means you are more likely to come out with 3 Alevels rather than 2 and a fail. Keep at your silver and gold art, will be extra qualifications and will hold you in good sted if youre wanting to pursue it in later life.