A SALISBURY student has been offered a place at a prestigious art school at the University of Oxford.

Ash Capon is currently enrolled on the Foundation Art and Design course at Wiltshire College and has been offered a place at Ruskin School of Art, the Department of Fine Art at Oxford, starting this September.

The 18-year-old, who lives in Salisbury, said the offer was "completely unexpected", adding: "I wasn't even expecting to apply to Oxford.

"After I got my A-Level results, one of my parents said: 'Why not try, why not visit?'"

Ash visited Ruskin and felt as though "something clicked inside" which made him believe he could make it.

Salisbury Journal: Ash Capon, 18.Ash Capon, 18. (Image: Wiltshire College University Centre)

"It is still a bit of a shock but it's fantastic and I am really looking forward to starting there in September," added Ash.

The Foundation Art and Design course is offered at WCUC’s Salisbury and Trowbridge campuses. It is aimed at students who have already completed A-Levels and the final qualification is a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.

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Alongside project work in dedicated workshops under the guidance of experienced lecturers who are also practicing artists, the course involves trips to leading galleries and exhibitions and students receive guidance and advice on applying for a Higher Education course.

Ash started on the Foundation course after completing his A-Levels at Salisbury 6th Form College and believes the extra year of study has not only honed his style but given him more confidence as an artist.

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“At the start of the Foundation course I put a lot of pressure on myself to create amazing work all of the time but now I think I am in a really good place,” said Ash.

“I have definitely enjoyed the course. I am really glad I did it and I would definitely recommend it. It’s really good to have an extra year, especially if you’re planning on applying to university."

Ash said the course is very different to A-Levels as it encourages students to start work as a practicing artist rather than working towards an exam or assessment.

“I like working with mixed media but I am quite drawn to sculpture too. I am really proud of everything I have done so far and my aim is definitely to become a practicing artist once I finish my university course. I have got lots of different things I would like to explore with my work," he added.

Find out more about the Foundation Art and Design course at WCUC by visiting wiltshire.ac.uk/study/foundation-art-and-design-pre-degree.