As part of our project we proposed that the types of information that students within the Art & Design (A&D) sector require are different from those students applying for more 'mainstream' qualifications. One of the reasons being that the outcomes of an A&D qualification are often very different.
For example students are less likely to be interested in expected potential earnings and employment prospects as A&D students generally study this area because they are passionate about it, not for the financial benefits.
To test this theory we carried out a survey for the Further Education and Higher Education students within the college to get an idea of their priorities and requirements.
The results were interesting and mostly confirmed what we had previously postulated. In particular students were keen to see staff profiling and were more interested and captivated by the intangible aspects of the courses, such as community and atmosphere. Location was a big factor, not just for the logistical benefits but how inspiring the surrounding environment was and how it enhanced creativity.
Other types of information students looked for were details on resources and facilities as well as the cost of equipment required for the course (as this can often be expensive for A&D students!)
In conclusion the results were very telling and whilst throwing up a few suprises, supported out theory of what students within the A&D community were really looking for! Some of our findings can be seen in the below presentation.
Course data Stage 1
