Student Case Studies

What led you to choosing this course? I have always been interested in music because of my dad, even learning electric guitar at home over lockdown. I also really enjoy performing so when I was in secondary school I made sure to join a lot o...

What led you to choosing this course?  It seemed like the perfect choice as it meant I could focus solely on art and developing the necessary skills for the art industry. By studying at ESC, I could focus on one subject of interest rath...

What led you to choose this subject?  I’ve been into art since I was young, especially painting. I've also always had an interest in make-up, helping my friends do theirs. After GSCEs I thought I might do a Diploma in Art &amp...

Luka came to the UK from Portugal when he was ten years old. His favourite subject at secondary school was Art and he has had an interest in Photography since he was a child.After attending Art taster days at both Reigate College and ESC, he...

Charlie has always had an interest in art and design. He does a lot of artwork at home, and his favourite subject at school was Design Technology.With his excellent GSCE grades, Charlie could have gone on to study A Levels but he much prefer...

Jessica started her journey at East Surrey College in 2018 after coming to an Open Day and being impressed by the wide range of courses which offered new opportunities and different career paths.Since joining the College, she has successfully pro...

Ben grew up in South Africa, where he developed a love for music and played drums in a marimba band. On moving to the UK, he enrolled on this course with a view to forging a career as a sound engineer.“My course is engaging, and this is the...

Maeve has always loved drawing and art, achieving well in her Art GCSE.She chose this course for its broad offer and the chance to experiment in different areas to see which direction she wanted to follow.The College has great facilities for ...

Caitlin initially joined ESC on Photography Level 3 and progressed through the 2 year HND qualification to then begin the BA (Hons) Top-Up. When applying for her Level 3, Caitlin had visited an Open Event and enjoyed exploring the facilities...

After studying Art GCSE at school, Annabelle joined us on Photography Level 3 and progressed through our 2 year HND course to her current BA (Hons) qualification. She found that the courses at ESC offered more freedom than other Colleges and...

Elise was one of our students in the first cohort of BA Make-Up, SFX & Hair for Media & Performance graduates, gaining her degree through our awarding institution, the University of Chichester. Elise was delighted to pass the course...

Pictured above: Lily's 3D piece in situ in the office of Jayne Dickinson, Chief ExecutiveLily enjoyed technical subjects at school but initially started her FE journey at Merrist Wood College, studying Dog Grooming. After finishing this ...

Amy’s journey at ESC started in 2015 when she started the Hair & Media Make-Up Level 2 course. Since then Amy has put in the hard work to recently complete her BA Hons (Top-Up) degree for Theatrical, Media and Special Effects Make-Up.&l...

Our student Noelle was happy to tell us all about her experience studying for a Higher National Diploma in Photography at ESC. “Open discussion has always been encouraged on my course – the support network within the Co...

Aspiring Make-Up Artist Emily joined us on Hair & Media Level 2 after a friend had recommended the College to her. Emily chose to come to ESC for Level 2  and then progressed up to Fashion & Media Make-Up Level 3.“I didn’...

Leo was our Student Union President for 2020/21 and joined ESC after finishing his GCSEs at Royal Alexandra and Albert School. He loved Art and Computer classes at school and was able to combine his two passions by studying Film & TV Product...

Ella enjoyed IT GCSE and knew that she wanted to do something creative, and decided to challenge her skills with Film & TV Production. "I choose this particular course as I really enjoyed video editing and wanted...

Reigate School of Art students; Marina, Jack, James and Lucas enjoyed the exciting opportunity to exhibit their work at Origins Creative Arts Festival in July, held at the Truman Brewery in Brick Lane.This annual celebration of work by ...

After finishing A Levels, Alfie wasn't sure of which pathway to take, and upon visiting an Open Event at East Surrey College, he was impressed with the Reigate School of Art, commenting that "I like the vibe - it seemed like an independent a...

Michael put together a fantastic video titled ‘My Stammer is Me,’ for his final project. Drawing on his personal experience, he wanted to “change perceptions on stammering.”The 30 minute film featured Michael talking ...

Former School: DunottarAlumni student Sophie recently celebrated the launch of her book, ‘Alienated’, at Reigate Library. The illustrated children’s book started as a project during her foundation year at...

Students on the Level 1 course were tasked by London-based FBM Architects with a professional brief: design a contemporary London arts centre, using pencil and the two-point perspective technique. Taylor impressing FBM Architects with his de...

Talented songwriter Teide, has been playing gigs in Surrey, Liverpool and London, impressing audiences with her guitar and vocal style.  She progressed from Music Production Level 2 to Sound and Music Production Level 3 and has recorded many...

Former School: The Gatwick SchoolKallisti was placed 2nd at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) 2018 National Finals in the ‘Prosthetics’ Category. With a passion for prosthetics, Kallisti worked with Thorpe ...

Jack is a very talented songwriter, guitarist and vocalist who is studying Sound and Music Production Level 3. Jack plans to progress onto university having received offers from Westminster, Bournemouth and Southampton to study Music Pe...

Harry studied Sound and Music Production at Reigate School of Art and was one of a handful of successful applicants selected for a BBC Apprenticeship in Broadcast Engineering.Alongside the Apprenticeship, Harry completed a three year BSc degree a...

Hannah currently works at East Surrey College as a Technician, assisting students on the Theatrical, Media & Special Effects Make-Up HND course. She started out as a student at the College, enrolling on Beauty Therapy Level 2, and progressing to ...

Former de Stafford School pupil Jake had his work featured at the OXO Tower Wharf in London, as part of the eighth annual Origins Creative Arts Festival. Now on Art & Design Level 2, Jake was delighted to see his work displayed amongst work from ...

Emily joined East Surrey College after taking a year out from studying at Reigate College - she had heard great things from friends at ESC about the facilities and teaching and enrolled on Art & Design Level 3. "I was really impress...

Alumni student Kelly was attracted to East Surrey College as "it is a new building with updated equipment and fantastic facilities, and offered more practical courses." She enrolled on the Theatrical, Media and Special Effects Make-Up ...

Shola chose to study music as she feels it is a great “creative output for emotions”. She is really enjoying her course and commented that “the tutors have a lot of knowledge, and it’s the most support I’ve ever had&rdqu...

Rebecca spent just a year learning English before she joined the College, and after studying Art & Design in Milan, knew that this was the pathway she wanted to take. Upon visiting ESC for the first time, she remarked “It felt right [&helli...

Former School: The Gatwick School During her time at College, Kallisti has taken the opportunity to take part in many external projects and competitions. Most recently, she was placed 2nd at the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AH...

Marta moved from Italy to England 4 years ago, and developed her English whilst studying at Kingston College, as she had struggled to find courses in Italy that suited her passion for make-up. Equipped with the technical vocabulary, she started Highe...

Following his Foundation Diploma at Reigate School of Art, Thomas went on to study Fine Art; Painting (BA) at Camberwell College of Arts.He has exhibited his contemporary artwork at various galleries including the ICA in London and The Bluecoat i...

Halina North studied Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at East Surrey College before progressing to Edinburgh College of Arts. She flourished during Graduate Fashion Week 2017 and walked away with the Christopher Bailey Gol...

Aaron joined the Kick Start programme in 2012 having moved from another area. He admits that while he was at school he struggled to settle down and as a result, his behaviour suffered.He lacked confidence in his abilities but through the support ...

Faye received the Special Achievement Award - Certificate of Excellence for her HND. During her course, Faye competed against professionals and was placed in several national competitions.She worked in an Estee Lauder pop-up store in Shoredi...

Lauren was selected to work in collaboration with The Reigate Society to commemorate its 60th Anniversary with a permanent sculpture in Reigate Priory Park. Her winning design was selected from over 50 students from local schools and colleges; it is ...

Sound & Music Production student Jack has been commissioned by publishers Curious Fox to produce a piece of music inspired by a new novel; Half my Facebook Friends are Ferrets by local author Jackie Buckle from Reigate. The book is about a f...

Joe completed a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at East Surrey College in June 2011. His final project was selected to be manufactured and installed as the focal point at the front of the College.The 6 metre high raw steel scul...

Art & Design Level 3 student Oliver had his winning artwork framed and displayed in the Epoch Art Gallery’s window in Redhill!The students visited the Gallery to find out about the commercial aspects of running a gallery, different...

Aimee has always had an interest in art and photography and was initially planning to study A Levels but due to personal circumstances, the A Level route was not a viable option. After meeting with the Photography tutor at the College, she found that...

Sound & Music Production student Michaela was offered the Maud Tyler Scholarship to study Commercial Music Performance BMus Honours degree at Westminster University in September 2015. This is the first time a student from the College has been off...