Institute of Arts, Barcelona

[jennifer1972]

Anyone know anything about IOA? I know it´s a relatively new place but does anyone have a DC who goes there or has done the foundation course. I´d like to know opinions on the standard compared to UK courses. Thanks

[bethjinty66]

HI, my daughter has an audition on Saturday in Dublin, I have been speaking to a Mum on this forum who has a daughter there, she has been so helpful .I have read all the blogs and information on website , they are new but affiliated to LIPA it's the directors from that college who are the founders , they have very experienced staff and I believe the pupils are from all over the world . My D auditioning for BA .

[Sweep]

Hi, my DD is at IAB on the BA MT course and loving it. Best decision for her. Days long but climate and location help. Teaching seems amazing. DD made lots of friends from all over the globe. They run foundation, degrees and MA's in dance, MT and drama. Please do message me if you would like more. But I really couldn't recommend it more so far! Lots of lovely visits for us too. Husband and son just returned from a visit, also managing to take in a Barcelona match !!

[jennifer1972]

Wow!! Thanks for that!! Sounds like a great location.
What happens with the graduate showcases? Do they perform in front of industry agents in UK?

[Sweep]

They haven' had a graduating year yet, but the plan is to do both. Invite some out to Barcelona and also hold some in London. They are at Move It this year. I'm going out in a couple of weeks to see end of term assessment work so be good to see how they have progressed.

[Robin64]

I am interested in IAB as a possibility for DD too. It looks great. From what I can tell so far though - no funding via student loans for this college? and any dada funding possible? Is it just the case that you have to self fund this training? That would certainly make things harder for us to choose IAB altough it does seem a fantastic place to train (and visit hehe). Anyone looked into the costs of training here?

[bethjinty66]

D and I just returned from Dublin after audition for IAB , she had a fantastic day and very positive experience , she said the chap taking the interview and dance session was giving lots of feedback and interview gave her a chance to ask lots of questions . I know this is a new college m but you should read the CVs for all the staff , but no funding available , also no evidence of success with students as first BA still to graduate . I love the ethos and vision of college , you should look at their website . I think many of the staff have had enough of the London scene , this college embraces creativity and "the whole artist" we wait for the "letter" !!

[islandofsodor]

Dh was approached when they were recruiting teachers. If it wasn't for family circumstances keeping him in the uk......


They have some good staff.

[Robin64]

If there is no funding available how do students manage to do this course? We have one DD already at uni and find it pretty difficult as student maintenance loan doesn't even cover all the rent. So does this mean all students at IAB are self funding meaning they have a family to fund the fees? At 18 they can't have already saved £27,000 for the fees surely? Or is it substantially cheaper than UK colleges? Feeling a bit deflated.

[bethjinty66]

Fees are approx £7500 per year ( thats the current Euro exchange rate ) and cost of living so much cheaper than London ,for uni courses in London it has to be student loans ie. Trinity £9000 per year plus living costs and Mountview fees around £13000,so student loans wouldn't cover that , they do have possible access to funding with a foundation that they run . But you are right , re having to fund yourself, So what you have is a college with students ( parents ) that can afford to pay the fees , which is much the same as many courses in London , some have DADAs but I believe they can be difficult to get .

[2dancersmum]

Sorry but how can some have DADAs? DADAs are a government scheme and are only available for diplomas (level 5 & 6) and from a list of approved colleges. The Institute of Arts is 1/not on that list, 2/ offering a BA degree course not the Trinity diploma.

[bethjinty66]

Sorry but how can some have DADAs? DADAs are a government scheme and are only available for diplomas (level 5 & 6) and from a list of approved colleges. The Institute of Arts is 1/not on that list, 2/ offering a BA degree course not the Trinity diploma.

HI2dancersmum. yes that is correct no DADAS at IAB , they have a foundation where some pupils can apply for help with funding , I don't know how that works, otherwise have to self fund , but if doing a BA course in London, ie Trinity Laban ( sorry for confusion in previous mail , my daughter has BA offer for Trinity Laban ) , only student loans available . I am familiar with the list of approved colleges with dadas , but even after being offered a place on these courses there are more auditions for Dadas . Some of the student loans don't even cover the cost of all fees , such as mountview