My notes from the meeting with Jean Michel Brawand, Recruitment Representative.  Don’t hesitate to get in touch with him at mbrawand@universityoftheartslondon.info.

• 6 x campus
• Film, graphic design, drama, architecture, fashion marketing, sound, theatre design, graphic design, art theory, journalism
• Apply thru Foundation – non-portfolio – anything related to the business side.  Majority require portfolio.
• IELTS 5.5 – foundation.  Language classes available.e full wor
• EU (including Switzerland) via UCAS.  International via you.
• Portfolio – in progress
• PS – why that particular school and what sets them apart – reading, politics, psychology – need to be thinking.  What sets them apart? THE EARLIER THE BETTER.
• Courses that demand portfolios need to be decided on fast.
• There are specialized foundations – watch out!
• Best alumni – fashion design – best in world – Alexander McQueen, John G, Stella M, Jimmy Chung.
• Acting – Tim Roth, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Michael Fassbender, Russell Brand (got kicked out).
• Directors – Mike Lee, Josh Oppenheimer, Steve McQueen
• Artists – Gilber & George, Lucien Freud
• Singers – PJ Harvey, MIA, Jarvis Cocker, The Clash – 3 members.  All did Fine Art.
• 1/4 of student international.  Alumni – good network.  E.g. strong in France.  Ideas for Switzerland.  Lebanon, Jordan – openness.
• Film, studios, wood workshops, photography students.
• Students have acces to all 6 campuses.  Fashion library – Oxford Circus – BEST IN UK.
• Camberwell – close-knit.  Known for fine arts and illustration.  Tradition – working with materials directly – sculpture – NOT DIGITAL
• MUST CHECK WEBSITE.
• Central Saint Martins – risk-taking, provocation, pushing the boundaries.  A real mix in the café.  Tense climate.  Elite.  Fashion design the most competitive in the world to get into.  IF DECIDE LAST YEAR NO CHANCE.  Those who get in – 4-7 years of sketchbook.
• Every other course – 2 years should be fine.
• Film – make film.  FASHION CAN’T BE FAKED.
• Chelsea – most academic – art theory, curation, fine art. Research-based ethos.  Should be reading – McCluhan, Chomsky, Cage, gender studies.  PS – areas other than art – human experience.
• London College of Communication – the major school.  Photography, film, screen-printing – the full works.  EMPLOYABILITY – everyone is working in the field.  Internship – 2nd year.
• London College of Fashion – 76 courses offered – only fashion uni in Europe.  All aspects of Fashion – from beginning to end.  Cosmetics, women wear, shoes. Accessories.
• Wimbledon – Theatre Design & Fine Art.  Immediate employment in West End, Madame Tussaud’s etc. Saatchi’s contemporaries.  15 mins from City – quiet – trees – People who need quiet and head space.  Everyone gets a studio.
• Accommodation – some central, some not. Do it first year then find a flat together.  BUT CAN STAY AS LONG AS THEY WANT.  Prices.  Hoxton – East London (very artsy – Brick Lane, Hackney)  Expensive.  Tooting, New Cross (Peckham) (gentrification – increasingly arty) – south, cheaper.
• West London – fashion events.
• North London – alternative scene – Camden.
• Squats – the further north you go.  Finsbury Park.  Industrial buildings.  Fine artists – north or south.
• 200 museums, lots of students.  Great place to create contacts.
• ALL TEACHERS ARE WORKING ARTISTS – actual cinematographers, fashion people
• External lectures by industry insiders.
• CSM – baptism by fire – independence. Essays at end of every term but it’s up to you to pursue your own practice (Fine Art course) cf Film (LCC) – live editing. (sent home if late).  A contact is doing Rihanna’s clothes.