We are thrilled to share the incredible experiences of our students from Yew Wah Gubei Art and Design and Yew Wah Tongxiang, who recently embarked on the YCYW Careers and University Guidance Office (CUGO) excursion to our Knowle Hall campus in Somerset, England for Art and Design students. This 10-day tour was a transformative journey, designed to enrich their artistic skills and open doors to prestigious universities in the UK.

A Creative Partnership with Glasgow School of Art

Our students had the unique opportunity to work with esteemed professors from the Glasgow School of Art, QS Ranked 13 for Art and Design. Through an exclusive three-day workshop led by Professor Christine Novosel and Professor Lona Roberts, they delved into observation drawing, mixed media techniques, and mark-making. These new skills were then applied to their individual focus areas such as Fashion, Graphic Design, and Architecture, significantly enhancing their sketchbooks for their portfolios—a crucial component for UK Art and Design applications.

Mastering the Art of Presentation

Post-workshop, our students engaged in a two-day intensive session on personal statements and portfolio interview preparation. Guided by our dedicated CUGO team—Nick Strong, Division Head for UK and Europe, Jennifer Cheng, Head of CUGO YWIES Gubei, and Daisy Feng, CUGO Officer for YWIES Gubei—students polished their application statements, honed their writing skills, and practiced presenting their art portfolios with confidence.

Exploring University Life in the UK

The second week was packed with visits to several renowned UK universities, offering our students a glimpse into university life. At Bath Spa University, they explored workshop-based environments through Print Making and Ceramics. Cardiff Metropolitan University introduced them to Ceramic Glazing techniques. The Arts University of Bournemouth (AUB) provided insights into construction techniques and creative thinking, culminating in portfolio feedback and admissions interviews. We are proud to announce that three of our Y13 students received Pre-Admissions offers from AUB due to their exceptional portfolios and interviews.

Discovering Opportunities in London

Our journey continued to London, where students visited Goldsmiths, University of London, QS Ranked number 21 for Art & Design and 16 for Media Studies. Here, they explored extensive digital media programs, from VR development to user interaction and interface design. The final highlight of our tour was the University of the Arts, London (UAL), QS Ranked 2. Tours of the Central Saint Martin’s Campus and London College of Communications were followed by portfolio improvement sessions with UAL professors, further preparing our students for admissions to this prestigious institution.

Looking Ahead

We are immensely proud of our students and their achievements during this enriching excursion. We look forward to continuing this tradition and showcasing our students' talents to top Art and Design universities in the United Kingdom next year.