Studying a creative course at university
can be extremely rewarding, especially when
the UK creative industries are valued at £109
billion. But different courses can offer very
different experiences.
Even if you discover
two universities with the same course name,
the likelihood is they’ll have very different
modules and teaching styles. That’s why it’s
important to research each
course and university, and also consider what you want to get out of the
course.
The first thing to consider is whether you want
to focus on theoretical or practical work as part
of the course. You could be looking at two BA
film courses where one is split into 70% theory
and 30% practical modules, and the other is
70% practical and 30% theory. You need to consider whether you want to be
more hands-on with your learning or commit to
academic study.
One way to find out exactly what projects you’ll
undertake on a creative course is to check out
the course pages on a university’s website.
They’ll typically have a section that breaks
down what modules or units you’ll take. You’ll be able to determine from there whether
the course is more theoretical or practical.
You could also look at any student work that’s
available on the page. This will give you an idea of the
variety of work that’s produced on the course.
Even better, attend an
in-person or online open day to speak to the
course lecturers and students directly. They’ll
talk through the course in more depth,
and discuss which topics and methods of
studying are most appropriate for your future ambitions.
If you’re looking at studying a practical
course, then you’ll want to make sure the
university has the facilities and equipment that
will allow you to create. It’s important to consider the
spaces you’ll be working in.
Are there
open studio spaces which
allow for experimentation
and collaboration? Are
there booths and rooms for
focussed, individual study? Do they have the equipment and specialised
facilities for your
current creative practice? Do they offer
something that you haven’t used before?
Again, you could start by checking out
the university website for photos, videos, and
written explanations of what facilities and
equipment they have available. But an
open day is the best opportunity to see how
students use the facilities and equipment for
their work. You might even be able to have a go
yourself...
A final consideration is the course entry requirements. If you’re asked to submit a portfolio of practical work, it is usually because the course will have an emphasis on practical projects. However, even some theoretical courses might still ask for a portfolio, which is why it’s important to ask lecturers and students about the study experience before applying.
This free newsletter will include information on university events added to UniTasterDays, as well as details about new webinars and blog releases for you and your students.