If you are on your a-levels, foundation course or ND course, and looking to head off to uni this August, you’ll probably be making your applications right about now. If that’s the case, I strongly suggest that you do a background check on the lecturers from each university you apply to. That doesn’t mean, ‘Newport’s awesome- I hear Martin Parr lectures there!’ LOADS of universities have some big names attached to their key courses. That’s fair enough; it’s good marketing.
What you need to do though, is find out exactly who will be giving your lectures, leading the group ‘crit’ sessions and ASSESSING your work. Don’t let an institution lure you with a big-name photographer and then fob you off with ‘yes and when you get into your third year she’ll be taking your lectures too- but not until then.’
EVERY year of your degree counts- and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Meet and have coffee with as many of the academic staff as you can. And grill them- give them a hard time when you go for your open days. It will pay off, I promise you.
