My experience applying to Falmouth Uni as an international student

This article was written by Fine Art BA(Hons) student, Jessie.

As an international student, I was a bit nervous about the process of applying to Falmouth University, as it was so different from what any of my friends or family had done. Looking back now as a third year student, however, I can now say that the application process was only the beginning of a fun, challenging and exciting adventure, which the university has supported me through every step of the way.

After touring Falmouth Uni and deciding that I definitely wanted to study Fine Art here, it was time to begin my application process. Knowing that my application might take longer as an international student, I started about a year in advance. While it’s not necessary to start as early as I did, I would strongly recommend beginning sooner rather than later. This helps avoid unnecessary stress if anything takes longer than expected (especially when it comes to visas).

For most students, the application process begins with UCAS, the application portal used by British universities. The UCAS website is relatively straightforward and easy to use, but if you ever need help or support, you can always contact an advisor here. What you need to submit will be explained, but typically, you’ll need documents such as your grade transcript, personal statement and your university choices. You can find more advice about applying as an international student on this page.

Writing a personal statement in the UK is a bit different from what I was used to back home in the US, so I’d recommend using the resources available on the Falmouth website to get familiar with what should be included. In my personal statement, I focused on my experience and background relevant to the course: projects I had worked on, competitions I had entered and programs I had been accepted into. Everyone’s personal statement will be unique, but it’s a great opportunity to explain why you want to pursue the course and what you’ve done so far to step into that field.

Once I had submitted my application, I gained access to the Applicant Portal, where I could schedule my interview. Since I wasn’t in the UK, I opted to do my interview online. For Fine Art, my interview was based on the portfolio I had created. While in-person interviews typically involve bringing a physical portfolio, for my online interview I took high-quality photos of my work and formatted them into a slideshow, which I sent ahead of my interview. Though I was nervous, the interview turned out to be a really positive and reassuring experience. It felt more like an engaging conversation about my work and thought-process rather than a formal Q&A session, which helped me feel comfortable. The interview is a great opportunity to showcase your passion, enthusiasm and the unique qualities you have that make you a good fit for the course.

Within a week of my interview, Falmouth Uni got back to me with the exciting news that I had been accepted! Since Falmouth was my top choice, I immediately accepted the offer through the UCAS website. What initially seemed like an overwhelming and intimidating process turned out to be a great experience that led me to study a course I love in one of my favourite places in the world and it was absolutely worth it.