Quite honestly this university is an utter disgrace and has generously granted me the worst year of my life. NO communication between students and tutors, tutors and tutors, or even the university and third parties such as the owners of the studios. Four works were removed by a student and then removed from a tutor without being told. (Work was put up the week before the Christmas break and I found out the week I returned) Hosted a presentation which ended with a very healthy, civilised, and friendly debate. But was later told the presentation was offensive and there was no discussion at all (was told by a tutor who never attended said presentation) Was almost given a disciplinary because the of the two reasons above. Was told the university has no free speech by a tutor (after reading the universities rules, and the LAW, turns out they would have gone against the law if I were to be disciplined) Had to attend a meeting with two tutors about the four works, was told by one that I’m and white man and therefore can’t talk about certain discussions like racism (as if I haven’t been a victim of racism myself) The same tutor had called me a white man before, as if the colour of my skin is all I am (due to this incident I never felt safe going to meetings with tutors unless I was recording the whole thing, legally I and whoever else fears they need to can) Furthermore, assumptions were made on my character despite not knowing me, some assumptions were down right sickening. Talked about the Karl Rittenhouse incident as an example of the media being either accidentally or purposefully wrong to misinform the readers. I was then called a conspiracy theorist despite all my sources either coming from primary accounts, mainstream articles, or raw data from sources like the Government. I was suggested of being far right due to my essay being pro free speech and liberty (I criticised censorship from the Church, the 20th century right wing, and compared it to woke ideology in todays world) I was able to show this tutor I’m not far right, but the fact I was labelled it is a disgrace. None of my blogs were ever read by the tutor whose literal job was to read them. This happened in my second and third year. Absolute disgrace as it explained my ins and outs of my project work, but instead of reading them I was characterised as a villain. I have also heard from several students from my year and ones before and after me, that the level of care when it comes to marking is poor. I received no emotional aid when I mentioned I had lost sleep with the name calling I had received from tutors. The university charged full price during lockdown, despite the workshops being closed. I have seen accounts from two other students who have said their work was removed. All appear to me to be because we offer either centralist or slightly conservative opinions. During the process to clear out the studios for the last exhibition, my tutor suggested we place the chairs and tables on the stairs to create a health and safety issue to therefore force the owners of the building to place the furniture in the basement (I have no idea if they went through with this but it was not said in a joking manner) I had to re-plan my end of year exhibition three times because they moved where I was to be placed. I was told by my own tutor that I would grow out of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon historical artforms. A tutor left mid-way through the year twice. A number of students and tutors presented a strong anti-Anglo-Saxon agenda (would be fine if the opposing side was welcome) The lack of teaching there is inferior to what you are taught in GCSEs. All I can say is that if you are remotely free speech, want to present Christianity in a good light, or have centralist/conservative opinions, I would stray far away from this university. Or, if you are ready for what I experienced, understand the law is on your side for free speech in universities, and I wholly encourage looking into the Free Speech Union if you are ever in the need for legal advice on said matters.

I met with the Fine Art course leader, Johanna Hällsten, who advised me that I could transfer to second year BA Fine Art if I passed first year BA Illustration and Animation. I passed with 3 Bs and 1 A, and when I contacted her about transferring, I was initially met with several days of silence, followed, only after the Academic Office contacted her, by her advising abruptly that she had changed her mind about the transfer and her wishing me good luck on the Illustration and Animation course. Incredibly whimsical and unprofessional, and it didn't help that a technician suddenly discussed this transfer with me as I passed her in the corridor one day. What did it have to do with the technician? No point in making a formal complaint. I've seen how the university deals with other issues. And they also have a system that adversely affects the February start students, where technical equipment is only available to be requested on one day of the week, during June and July, because the weeks following on from when September start students end their term at the end of May, are not considered to officially be term time.

Great uni, great people …

Love it!