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CASE STUDY: Clearing helps Ben find his life’s calling in art
“I started University a year early because Clearing was so easy.”
Ben Branson, 33, from Wellington, Shropshire, came to study art at the University of Wolverhampton a year earlier than planned due to the ease of applying through Clearing and the option to complete a foundation year.
The BA (Hons) Fine Art student decided to study a degree after realising he wanted to do something he was passionate about and have a career, instead of moving between various jobs as he’d been doing previously.
In his case, Ben believes his life’s calling is art. It was something he’d enjoyed from a very young age, with one of his earliest memories being him “scribbling around on paper”.
Originally, Ben thought the admissions process to university would take a long time, so mentally prepared himself to start in September 2021, but seeing the Clearing Hotline on the University of Wolverhampton’s website, he decided to call in and discuss his options.
He said: “It was incredible. The process to come via Clearing was a lot easier and less stressful than I thought coming to university would be.
“Because it made everything so quick and easy, I was able to start a year earlier than I’d planned.
“With coming onto a foundation year, I was a lot more confident that I’d be able to get through the degree.”
A foundation year prepares students for university level study. It begins with modules aimed at providing transferable study skills and then, in the second semester, gives students the opportunity to study more specialist modules, starting to focus on their areas of study ahead of commencing degree-level study.
One of the biggest draws of coming to the University for Ben was being part of a like-minded, artistic community.
He said: “I’ve made art quite a lot, pretty much since I could walk, but it’s always been in a vacuum.
“It’s been so good and refreshing to be around other artists, discussing and sharing ideas and working together.
“Also the School of Art is incredible. It’s exactly the type of environment that I love to be in; the smells of the materials, the little dobs of paint over everything. I just love it.”
On a final note, Ben added: “I’d like to thank the staff who have really helped me through this difficult year. I know it’s been tough for them as well, they’ve had to do a lot of changing around on the fly, so hats off to them.”
For anyone who already has the results of their qualifications, applications can be made through Clearing from Monday 5 July. Our Clearing webpage provides further information on all the courses we have available in Clearing. Applications can be made either by calling our Clearing Team on 01902 51 8585 or through our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
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For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.