h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Worrying news on the telly this morning that Belfast Met may have to drop some courses, including the Perfroming Arts one that Jem was hoping to do.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/10290356.stm

This is a bit of a blow: Having drawn up spreadsheets looking at her various options over a year ago, travelling to london for auditions with Bird and Laine where she didn't get in, we were all very happy with BMC as the preferred option. I was relieved she wasn't going to London so young, and costs would be much more manageable with her still living at home. We even factored in the travel into Belfast transport links when choosing a new house.

She could go back to school and do A levels, but that was her least favourite option. Or else apply to Bangor tech to do their PA course, but it hasn't got nearly as good a reputation as the Belfast one does/ did.

And we can't really do anything until we know for sure what the outcome of the cuts is.

Damn damn damn.

That sucks. I'm also surprised it's legal, if they've offered a place they've offered a place. I think that the univeristies who've been closing their MScs in Homoeopathy and other forms of Woo have done it by shutting the door after one specific year's cohort rather than just pulling the plug on the whole thing.

But.... it sucks.

Fingers crossed

Ben

She hadn't actually been offered a place - just applied and got a "we'll let you know in June" type letter. I may be clutching at straws, but I'm hoping that because the report refers to "higher" education places, that may refer to the HND course. The BTEC National Diploma Jem applied for would be "further" education rather than "higher". Gawd it's all so compliacted!

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for her that it all works out in the end. There must be a reason that the fates keep stumping her at every hurdle (was that a mixed metaphor?)

And for anyone else who has applied and will now not be able to go because of the cutbacks.

It's a shame it had to be the Belfast one that was cut - being so well-renowned, too!

I hope the cuts don't pan out as bad as you fear they might - it does say PA might be 'affected' rather than nixed, so perhaps there's still hope?

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you and J.

Bea, a word of warning:

if your child is doing HND Media/Broadcast Journalism she may be unsatisfied with it all; I was. Please be prepared for things not to be as good as you think at first look. She should get A Levels, too, they will be a great help... she mightn't get anywhere with just a HND... not being a downer on this but thats the way it is.

BMC isn't looked upon favourably at the moment because they can and do piss students around like crazy. I would advise to go elsewhere, and I am a (recent) former BMC student!

Thanks all for the good wishes.

Anna, she's aiming for a career as a dancer, which is short and needs to be started young. A levels wouldn't really be much help. Shell be auditioning again next year for the big London dance colleges, but starting the nat dip in performing arts/ dance locally is a good way to keep on that track and improve her technique. BMC had a very good and well respected contemporary dance tutor, and she's particularly keen to work on that style.

I'm coming from the journalism side of things which I have to admit was not a good way of kicking off a career so perhaps I'm a little bitter...

Gotta admit though when I was looking for courses myself, I happened upon the performing arts stuff and it looked so much more awesome than what I went for...

Which London colleges/schools is she going for?

She auditioned this year for Laine and Bird but didn't get in - we think cos she's so young. So gonna try again next year for those plus Arts Ed which only accepts post 17.

it might ve been cos she is young, yeah. hey, trying's worth something cos you might get in, and if she does, all shall be good.

she'll get in where she wants, no worries. sure yous know dancing is bloody competitive (and bitchy) and she's probably gonna need a hell of a routine to wow whoever she's auditioning in front of... but who the hell am i to talk, i know feck all.

does she want to dance in musicals or what? or make a professional career out of it?

Yay, letter today from BMC - her audition is next Wednesday .

She hasn't been specific about what area - she'd love to be on the West End stage, but wouldn't turn down any other paid gig!

They're desperate for students on some course, so fingers crossed! Hey, any gig's good if it gets ya money! I don't even know the kid but I'd go see her in the West End, def.

Audition went well, and we'll know in a week.

We so need a smiley.

Good luck. Try not to be too down if she doesn't get in though, everywhere's having to cut. Fingers crossed.

Offer received today - conditional, 4 Cs at GCSE (which she should manage easily)

So Yay!

Yay indeed!

Yay!