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HNC Arden

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 10:55 pm
by GDADSTAXI
Would appreciate any feedback on the HNC that Arden / UCEN are offering. DD has been offered HNC instead of B.A All thoughts, advice, opinions gratefully received.

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 11:26 pm
by Marissa
Hi x My DD has been offered this too x She has also been offered a degree elsewhere but it's not a place with the name or feeling she likes so right now she will probably take this offer up. We went on Saturday to the Shena Simon campus and all seemed great. Teachers were lovely. I liked the fact that apart from the 18 hrs split of dance acting and singing they can also join other dance classes being taught there free. The teacher said if your child wants to be here five days a week training then they can and will help them too. DD liked the dance floors etc and got the impression she would be pushed and helped with ucas for next yr. we are seeing this as a foundation without the cost( student financed) and s chance to get used to the big city!

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2018 11:44 pm
by Marissa
I mean no it's not the dream or what DD hoped for but for a foundation yr alternative it seems great x We are still deciding but right now this is her back up plan for this year.

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:05 am
by GDADSTAXI
Marissa wrote:Hi x My DD has been offered this too x She has also been offered a degree elsewhere but it's not a place with the name or feeling she likes so right now she will probably take this offer up. We went on Saturday to the Shena Simon campus and all seemed great. Teachers were lovely. I liked the fact that apart from the 18 hrs split of dance acting and singing they can also join other dance classes being taught there free. The teacher said if your child wants to be here five days a week training then they can and will help them too. DD liked the dance floors etc and got the impression she would be pushed and helped with ucas for next yr. we are seeing this as a foundation without the cost( student financed) and s chance to get used to the big city!
Thanks for the update and thanks for the DM, much appreciated.

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 8:08 am
by Marissa
GDADSTAXI wrote:
Marissa wrote:Hi x My DD has been offered this too x She has also been offered a degree elsewhere but it's not a place with the name or feeling she likes so right now she will probably take this offer up. We went on Saturday to the Shena Simon campus and all seemed great. Teachers were lovely. I liked the fact that apart from the 18 hrs split of dance acting and singing they can also join other dance classes being taught there free. The teacher said if your child wants to be here five days a week training then they can and will help them too. DD liked the dance floors etc and got the impression she would be pushed and helped with ucas for next yr. we are seeing this as a foundation without the cost( student financed) and s chance to get used to the big city!
Thanks for the update and thanks for the DM, much appreciated.
How do you feel about it?

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 9:39 am
by GDADSTAXI
Marissa wrote:
GDADSTAXI wrote:
Marissa wrote:Hi x My DD has been offered this too x She has also been offered a degree elsewhere but it's not a place with the name or feeling she likes so right now she will probably take this offer up. We went on Saturday to the Shena Simon campus and all seemed great. Teachers were lovely. I liked the fact that apart from the 18 hrs split of dance acting and singing they can also join other dance classes being taught there free. The teacher said if your child wants to be here five days a week training then they can and will help them too. DD liked the dance floors etc and got the impression she would be pushed and helped with ucas for next yr. we are seeing this as a foundation without the cost( student financed) and s chance to get used to the big city!
Thanks for the update and thanks for the DM, much appreciated.
How do you feel about it?
It's certainly not what she wanted but is an option. We've not seen the other campus so can't comment from that perspective. Have you looked at accommodation at all?

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:03 pm
by Marissa
Mmm accommodation I think is tricky. We walked around looking and it's expensive. £160 ish for ensuite room. Manchester student village is the cheapest at about £120 for a room not ensuite. But I felt it was quite a walk for someone who doesn't know the area. DD said she would be fine but I'd rather pay more and have her closer to campus for the winter months. As soon as we hear from Hammond we will book something closer to campus. Most have gyms so that's good.

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 3:15 pm
by GDADSTAXI
Marissa wrote:Mmm accommodation I think is tricky. We walked around looking and it's expensive. £160 ish for ensuite room. Manchester student village is the cheapest at about £120 for a room not ensuite. But I felt it was quite a walk for someone who doesn't know the area. DD said she would be fine but I'd rather pay more and have her closer to campus for the winter months. As soon as we hear from Hammond we will book something closer to campus. Most have gyms so that's good.
I just had a look at apartments, not cheap are they. The few I looked at were on 52 week contracts as well. I know with some places you can get shorter contracts as effectively you are not there over the summer break. Maybe that was just Uni halls?
Did I read that your DD looked at Gloucester as well?

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 6:12 pm
by Marissa
I saw some accommodation for less weeks. Yes DD has an unconditional for Gloucester but her hearts not there so will prob go for Manchester and reaudition this/next year.

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:51 pm
by GDADSTAXI
Marissa wrote:I saw some accommodation for less weeks. Yes DD has an unconditional for Gloucester but her hearts not there so will prob go for Manchester and reaudition this/next year.
Can I ask what are your general impressions about Gloucester?

Re: HNC Arden

Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 12:56 pm
by Marissa
GDADSTAXI wrote:
Marissa wrote:I saw some accommodation for less weeks. Yes DD has an unconditional for Gloucester but her hearts not there so will prob go for Manchester and reaudition this/next year.
Can I ask what are your general impressions about Gloucester?
DD didn't like it x she didn't feel they would push her. They didn't offer extra classes e.g. Pointe and continuing her ballet is important to her. It's such a shame as it's the only degree offer she has had and honestly it would be so much easier for us. However they need to be happy for those three years and DD just feels it's not the place for her x