It really shouldn't all be about money

[Katymac]

But I don't have a clue how to sort out the whole diploma/degree/DaDA/Loan/private funding deal

It's just crap that people who need to perform, don't have a level playing field with those who need to teach or do research or engineer

But it really shouldn't all be about money

[Jessnat22]

Absolutely agree ...... personally I would support all Diploma and Degree students having the access to the student loans as an even playing field. DS1 totally reliant on his parents - DS2 will access the student loan for his "academic" education.

On a "positive" note I often reassure myself with the "value for money" argument when you consider how many teaching and contact hours they receive.

[Caroline A-C]

Jessnat22, I have exactly the same situation. Sadly we just cannot afford to fund ds2's "academic" degree due to the fact that the MT degree ds1 is doing costs so much. Ds1 was in the final year of degrees costing a mere £3,000 per year. Although he will have less to pay back, it does means that we have a much much bigger chunk to pay which we really couldn't do without the very much appreciated help of grandparents. It really is not fair either that ds2 will leave university with three times the debt as ds1 all because the Government decided to hike fees up so ridiculously. Right, that's my rant over - thank you for listening!

[Katymac]

to expand on what I meant:

It is bizarre that when the government has decided courses should be paid for 'grants' are available for performing arts
It is bizarre that when governments set the prices for university courses PA colleges can set there own
It is bizarre that you can borrow money to be a doctor or engineer but not an actor or dancer
It is bizarre that you can't borrow enough money to pay for your course

Dump the DaDA, standardise the costs of the courses or allow people to borrow the amount needed. To me that seems the only way forward

Knowing that you will have £27,000 plus debt & be unable to retrain at a reasonable cost will I think focus the mind of the people who want to train

[Caroline A-C]

Think it is more like £42,000 as you also need to add in the "maintenance loan"! That, of course, is based on the three year courses. Some are longer.

[Katymac]

& for a doctor/vet/architect it's more - but at least they can borrow it

[carriecrafts]

Yep, whole funding situation is a mess and really unfair

DD1 and DD2 are both at uni making use of student loans to follow their dreams. Yes they'll end up with debt but it is manageable (I actually prefer the new system as they are £540 a year better off, but thats a different debate!).

I wish all Higher Education courses were eligible for student loans. The DaDA could even be used as a means tested, merit-based bursary to top-up the loans to meet the schools' higher fees.

[Gatesheadangel]

There is a large, expanding industry providing in school and after school/ holiday education and experiences for children in a wide range of performing arts. Parents are happy to pay for this otherwise it wouldn't be happening, and it helps keep money circulating in the uk. i don't understand why the teachers and facilitators who make this industry work so successfully cannot get their own professional education funded on an equal par with those taking humanities subjects (i'm a humanities graduate myself so don't start throwing things as me - i'm saying they are of equal value, not criticising).

Personally i don't like the idea of any young person starting their lives saddled with debt especially facing eye watering housing costs which previous generations haven't suffered. But i don't understand why performance students are treated as though their skills aren't any use to the country.

[bop2thetop]

I think the Performing Arts Colleges feel as annoyed about this as we the parents do. I've heard them say it's an unfair system and very hard on "middle income" families. Which is probably the vast majority of us. I really don't know how they manage to fill up their schools still. But as long as they do probably nothing will change. I do wonder how much talent they miss out on though with youngsters that cannot afford to take their places.

[STEFFYSMUM]

its so sad the way the funding works. we are lucky in Scotland we get fees covered for colleges and universities. but there is no way I could afford to send my dd to one of the better performing arts schools. shes gave up on the idea and went to work as a holiday camp entertainer as all she wants to do is perform and at the moment she sees this has her only option. such a shame though that a lot of people in the industry will look down on her for this