r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	Patstini123
Comment	I went to GSA in the 90's. BA Fine Art Photography then a couple years out in the real world and then back to do the MFA. I also teach there occasionally as a visiting lecturer. I would have to say that the school is a very different place to when I was there. Back in the day, it was very much self directed learning. You saw tutors once a week if you were lucky (or unlucky). SAAS or your local authority paid your fees and you also got a wee grant. Nowadays it is far more spoon fed, due largely to the fact that the students are fee paying, which leads me to a more important point. If you're Scottish, it is hard to get into fine art, as they want the cash from the rich International students, who pay up to 3 times more. It's not impossible by any means but do understand that Scots are few and far between there. \This may be different in fashion, who seem to support Scottish talent more. Anyway, all that aside, it was fucking amazing (I got into a couple of other art schools in England and am very glad I went to GSA) If you live and breath art/fashion you should definitely go to art school. You will regret it if you don't!* PS. don't be put off by the unfair competition at GSA, but depending on your economic/class background, you may be a lot happier as Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee, which is equally as good as GSA and if you are talented, you will do better in. ( I used to teach in further Education and re directed a stack of students to Dundee, they all thanked me after their degrees) Also, make sure you do the full 4 years from 1st year too. ALSO: and this is v important.. Stay in school until you've done your highers. You have virtually zero chance of getting into any art school without them. You may hate secondary school as much as I did but please don't leave without them. It creates huge problems down the line. Don't study art/fashion in FE colleges like City of Glasgow either. They are shit and not designed for a real career in the creative industries. Finally... if you don't already, keep a sketchbook on the go at all times from now on. Use it as a notebook/diary too. Draw every single day, 365 days a year. Draw so much, that it becomes the same as thinking. Drawing is a thinking tool. Best of luck
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/t2w8p6/did_anyone_go_to_gsa/hyp7sm4/
Created	Sun 27th Feb 2022 10:11pm
Status	normal ()

I went to GSA in the 90's. BA Fine Art Photography then a couple years out in the real world and then back to do the MFA. I also teach there occasionally as a visiting lecturer.

I would have to say that the school is a *very* different place to when I was there. Back in the day, it was very much self directed learning. You saw tutors once a week if you were lucky (or unlucky). SAAS or your local authority paid your fees and you also got a wee grant. Nowadays it is far more spoon fed, due largely to the fact that the students are fee paying, which leads me to a more important point. If you're Scottish, it is hard to get into fine art, as they want the cash from the rich International students, who pay up to 3 times more. It's not impossible by any means but do understand that Scots are few and far between there. \*This may be different in fashion, who seem to support Scottish talent more.

Anyway, all that aside, it was fucking amazing (I got into a couple of other art schools in England and am very glad I went to GSA)

**If you live and breath art/fashion you should definitely go to art school. You will regret it if you don't!**

PS. don't be put off by the unfair competition at GSA, but depending on your economic/class background, you may be a lot happier as Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee, which is equally as good as GSA and if you are talented, you will do better in. ( I used to teach in further Education and re directed a stack of students to Dundee, they all thanked me after their degrees) Also, make sure you do the full 4 years from 1st year too.

ALSO: and this is **v important**.. **Stay in school until you've done your highers.** You have virtually zero chance of getting into any art school without them. You may hate secondary school as much as I did but please don't leave without them. It creates huge problems down the line. **Don't study art/fashion in FE colleges** like City of Glasgow either. They are shit and not designed for a real career in the creative industries.

Finally... if you don't already, keep a sketchbook on the go at all times from now on. Use it as a notebook/diary too. Draw every single day, 365 days a year. Draw so much, that it becomes the same as thinking. Drawing is a thinking tool.

Best of luck