[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ _label=”Introduction” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 10px 0px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_element_headline _id=”4″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”5″ ][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ _label=”Content” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 20px 0px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 20px;”][cs_element_text _id=”9″ ][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px 0px 20px;”][cs_element_image _id=”11″ ][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_element_text _id=”15″ ][/cs_column][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/2″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_element_image _id=”17″ ][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content][cs_content_seo]Leonie Briggs, Contemporary Art & Design Practice BA (Hons) Top Up

Leonie Briggs started her journey at University Centre Calderdale College as a mature student with the Access to HE Diploma: Art & Design course, and progressed onto Foundation Degree, and then the Top Up Degree, achieving a First-class degree. We spoke to Leonie about what made her choose to study with us, and her experiences along the way.

Personalised Support
 “I returned to education to develop the skills I needed to pursue a career in something that I was passionate about.

“I chose Calderdale College because the classes were much smaller than universities, it felt more personal and not as overwhelming as the other universities that I looked at. I think the benefits of studying a degree, especially one in Art and Design, in a college setting is that you are able to receive more personalised support from tutors and other staff members.

“I then progressed on to the Contemporary Art & Design Practice BA (Hons) Top Up to experience what it was like working in a more professional studio space, alongside other artists and in the hope that I would be able to network more effectively at a location like Dean Clough.”

Believing in myself
With small class sizes, comes more one to one support from tutors, and Leonie discusses this in further detail: “The tutors are 100% invested in your success. They will absolutely go above and beyond what is expected to help you succeed in anything you want to do.
“They have guided and pushed me into becoming a better and more confident person. A year ago, I was worried that I would never have the abilities to succeed in the art, but with help from the tutors I have come to believe in myself. I believe that I have been given the best opportunities to succeed as a new graduate.
“Another plus about this course is that it is located at Dean Clough, which provided me with a professional environment and more diverse opportunities to network with local artists. You are also within walking distance to several local businesses as well as the Dean Clough art gallery, where you can view the work that is exhibited there and speak to the people who curate the artwork.
“Being told that I had achieved a First was my favourite moment, as sad as I was that my journey through education was over, the feeling that your hard work and determination have paid off is an amazing feeling!”

If you’d like to study Art & Design at University Centre Calderdale College, find out more here[/cs_content_seo]