Auditioning for 2021 entry

[dancelifemum]

My daughter has a dilemma. She is more of an actor, applied for mostly straight acting courses. Was always aware it was a long shot as they often prefer the older applicant with more 'life experience'. She applied to Central. There you apply and they consider you for their 3 BA acting courses, didn't get a recall. Some time later they came back to her with 2 other courses they ran and would she like to be considered for either. She said yes to one of them (just to know more) had an interview and they've offered her a place (conditional on her UCAS points). The course is called performance arts and is about creating your own work.

Prior to this though she got an offer for foundation for acting from PPA (I know this isn't one discussed on here much) which we told her we could fund, thinking another year to try again and her be a bit older would be beneficial.

So here's the dilemma, accept Central because of the drama school it is and it's incredible she got in auditioning at only 17 even though it's not the course she initially wanted.

or take the PPA offer and try again a year later when hopefully maturity and extra training will help secure more offers, accepting nothing is guaranteed?

Her training at college has been heavily hit by the pandemic and staff absences. She got into NYT last year at first attempt, but that was a week online rather than the usual fortnight course. They're looking to do an additional in person week later this year to make up. So her applications have been very much her own work without much or any input from tutors.

Firstly, congratulations on 2 fabulous offers. If you accepted the foundation course, could it potentially be bumped up to a diploma or degree course, if other people don't take up their offers? Central is a fantastic offer though and could she possibly swap courses if a spot became available? It is maybe worth asking? Good luck on whatever you decide to do xxx Keep us posted x

Thank you, she's done incredibly well considering her age and what she's been up against this past 12 months with her course heavily affected by the pandemic and not the training she should have had. She's also on the reserve list for Read college and Rose Bruford foundations. Not thought of that re foundation at PPA but diplomas don't work for us even if it was a place that offered Dadas (it isn't) it's degree or nothing she can take. Paying for a foundation also means that she also can't consider any degree that requires top up fees next year. I'm not sure if she'd want to take degree at PPA, when she's going into it 'blind' so to speak. Not sure about changing courses at Central, am tempted to say No as their acting courses are so sought after. She's messaged current students on the course at Central but it's very 50/50 whether they enthuse about it or not.

So difficult when you haven't actually been in person, just self tape and zoom interview, so you don't get a 'vibe' of a place.

Well done to your daughter...I have no words of wisdom but just to say I agree they have all done amazingly well but are mostly accepting blind based on other courses they've attended or from other students! it is so very difficult and good luck!

[icantdance]

Lawn, you could head over there anyway to see the school. Even if you can't go in you can hang around outside like a stalker and see what the students are like and the buildings, and where it is situated. Even sitting in a car and doing that will help you to decided if you like it in several ways - including seeing if the students seem happy or miserable. You could also email the admin team and ask if you can have a look around the outside (as you know you can't go in) and they might come out and chat to you. I do appreciate it is difficult and that we've been lucky having seen them all 2 years ago, but we went back to Bird a month ago and were able to do outside the building things while the students were there as well.

[MTDreams]

My daughter has a dilemma. She is more of an actor, applied for mostly straight acting courses. Was always aware it was a long shot as they often prefer the older applicant with more 'life experience'. She applied to Central. There you apply and they consider you for their 3 BA acting courses, didn't get a recall. Some time later they came back to her with 2 other courses they ran and would she like to be considered for either. She said yes to one of them (just to know more) had an interview and they've offered her a place (conditional on her UCAS points). The course is called performance arts and is about creating your own work.

Prior to this though she got an offer for foundation for acting from PPA (I know this isn't one discussed on here much) which we told her we could fund, thinking another year to try again and her be a bit older would be beneficial.

So here's the dilemma, accept Central because of the drama school it is and it's incredible she got in auditioning at only 17 even though it's not the course she initially wanted.

or take the PPA offer and try again a year later when hopefully maturity and extra training will help secure more offers, accepting nothing is guaranteed?

Her training at college has been heavily hit by the pandemic and staff absences. She got into NYT last year at first attempt, but that was a week online rather than the usual fortnight course. They're looking to do an additional in person week later this year to make up. So her applications have been very much her own work without much or any input from tutors.

This is hard as Central has such a big reputation when it comes to acting. What does the course involve fully? Have you looked at the course content? Maybe your DD needs to find out how long the course has been running and where do graduates go on to after? What jobs do they get? If it leads to them becoming actors and thats what your DD really wants then that would be amazing! My worry would be that the course doesn't involve doing what your DD really wants to do and she would regret not doing the foundation and re auditioning next year for an acting degree. But I can totally understand the pull of being offered somewhere considered so prestigious. Good luck with your decision and well done to your DD!

[Stayingcalm]

Hi Lawn, I think what you are wanting to know is “what exactly is “performance art”? This course originated in Universities and it’s described as an improvisation course. It’s actually “creating art through performance”. A famous example is Marina Abromovic’s work. Look her up to get greater understanding. I watched many of my talented students take up these courses at University only to be extremely disappointed. However, if your daughter is genuinely keen on exploring theatre as an art form as opposed to the traditional “put on a play that’s been written” route, it could be the course for her. I hope this helps and good luck.

[lawn]

Hi Lawn, I think what you are wanting to know is “what exactly is “performance art”? This course originated in Universities and it’s described as an improvisation course. It’s actually “creating art through performance”. A famous example is Marina Abromovic’s work. Look her up to get greater understanding. I watched many of my talented students take up these courses at University only to be extremely disappointed. However, if your daughter is genuinely keen on exploring theatre as an art form as opposed to the traditional “put on a play that’s been written” route, it could be the course for her. I hope this helps and good luck.

Thank you. Your reply is really helpful.

[dancelifemum]

So....we have the Facebook link and the uniform/ music etc list from Performers College as we accepted as firm choice on UCAS. All starting to feel rather real all of a sudden.

Pending Laine curve ball that she may or may not still accept. We are on the last leg!

[anastasia79]

So....we have the Facebook link and the uniform/ music etc list from Performers College as we accepted as firm choice on UCAS. All starting to feel rather real all of a sudden.

Pending Laine curve ball that she may or may not still accept. We are on the last leg!

Well done you, very exciting! I can’t wait to be in that position where a firm choice has been made and we can start planning for September.

[dancelifemum]

So....we have the Facebook link and the uniform/ music etc list from Performers College as we accepted as firm choice on UCAS. All starting to feel rather real all of a sudden.

Pending Laine curve ball that she may or may not still accept. We are on the last leg!

Well done you, very exciting! I can’t wait to be in that position where a firm choice has been made and we can start planning for September.

Hopefully you can decide soon....fingers crossed.

[Mumto3girls]

Hi everyone, I'm Totally new to all of this but as my middle daughter is about to make her choice on dance college I thought I'd best have a read on here & I've found loads out from you all so thankyou for this post My daughter has been accepted into London Studios, Performers and is currently waiting on Bird. We have had to tell her that LSC is out of our price range as we didn't realize you didn't get as much from student finance (anyone know why this is? ) Can't quite believe the cost difference tbf shame really as this was her first choice so she wasn't very happy well done on all of your kids who have got into their chosen college and here's to their new chapter in Sept 21

[anastasia79]

Hi everyone, I'm Totally new to all of this but as my middle daughter is about to make her choice on dance college I thought I'd best have a read on here & I've found loads out from you all so thankyou for this post My daughter has been accepted into London Studios, Performers and is currently waiting on Bird. We have had to tell her that LSC is out of our price range as we didn't realize you didn't get as much from student finance (anyone know why this is? ) Can't quite believe the cost difference tbf shame really as this was her first choice so she wasn't very happy well done on all of your kids who have got into their chosen college and here's to their new chapter in Sept 21

Welcome and a huge well done to your daughter! It’s great she’s got choices so now it’ll just be her making that final decision. What was her 2nd choice after London Studio? Sorry, I don’t know why their student loan total is lower. My friend had a shock last year when her daughter got in there and realised she had a shortfall I think of approx £5k. Luckily they are London based and were able to cover this with her maintenance grant.

[islandofsodor]

Congratulations to your daughter on her offers.

There is a reason why you can't get a full student loan at LSC. It's all to do with the way that degree courses are accredited. It's called Designation.

At Bird & Performers you enrol with the University of Grenwich (Bird) or BIMM Institute (Performers). The university is the awarding body and it then sub-contracts the running of their degree course on a franchise basis to the dance college. This entitles the student to full student finance.

LSC on the other hand run it's own degree course but they are not an awarding body. So they get their degree course validated by a university who is (Middlesex University)They get a bit more freedom in how they run the course and they are allowed to set their own fees whereas university degree fees are capped at just over £9k per year, but you don't become a Middlesex student and are therefore only entitled to a reduced student loan.

Not that this helps you at all but it might might others aware in the future.

[anastasia79]

Congratulations to your daughter on her offers.

There is a reason why you can't get a full student loan at LSC. It's all to do with the way that degree courses are accredited. It's called Designation.

At Bird & Performers you enrol with the University of Grenwich (Bird) or BIMM Institute (Performers). The university is the awarding body and it then sub-contracts the running of their degree course on a franchise basis to the dance college. This entitles the student to full student finance.

LSC on the other hand run it's own degree course but they are not an awarding body. So they get their degree course validated by a university who is (Middlesex University)They get a bit more freedom in how they run the course and they are allowed to set their own fees whereas university degree fees are capped at just over £9k per year, but you don't become a Middlesex student and are therefore only entitled to a reduced student loan.

Not that this helps you at all but it might might others aware in the future.

That was really helpful, thanks for explaining. I’ve always wondered why the difference in price and now I understand.

[amo185]

Just wondering if anyone else has had a degree offer from ArtsEd and has heard anything about funding - bursaries, scholarship or DADAs? DD still waiting on that as well as Laine info. Also - just out of interest - does anyone know why the ArtsEd Foundation course is funded by student finance (with £4k shortfall) but other foundation courses aren't? Seems a great option. Are other colleges waiting on accreditation perhaps? Just curious!

[lawn]

Just wondering if anyone else has had a degree offer from ArtsEd and has heard anything about funding - bursaries, scholarship or DADAs? DD still waiting on that as well as Laine info. Also - just out of interest - does anyone know why the ArtsEd Foundation course is funded by student finance (with £4k shortfall) but other foundation courses aren't? Seems a great option. Are other colleges waiting on accreditation perhaps? Just curious!

Is it CetHE qualification their foundation? A handful of others also do it this way mostly for acting courses (Italia Conti, Fourth Monkey, East 15). You get student funding (I wasn't aware Arts Ed still required a top up) though it does use one of your years entitlements to student funding (you'd still have enough funding to do a 3 year degree though)

[islandofsodor]

You are correct. Arts Ed Foundation is a Level 4 Cert of Higher Ed accredited by University of London.