A lot can change between January and August. It's time to get excited for your future.
Things change. People change. Plans change.
Every year, students apply to HCA over the summer months. For some people, that’s because their results left them thinking about what or where they want to study. But for a lot of people, it was just that something clicked in them over the last few months.
However you got here, we can help talk you through what it’s like to study a creative degree, and what it’s like to study at HCA.
It is an exciting time to be thinking about starting a creative career – with the creative industries and jobs in the design sector growing fast in the UK.
And we know today might be the day that you want to ask some questions, so we have graduates and staff on the phones (01432 273359), and responding to messages on the green website chatbox in the bottom-right corner if you want to reach out. You can also send us a DM at @herefordarts on Instagram.
We will running personal tours of our gorgeous campus throughout August and September if you want to get a feel for Hereford, and for the college, and on Tuesday we will be running a drop-in day for anyone who wants to find out more info.
As a true specialist art college we are not just about grades – we look at your portfolio, and your passions to help see if we are right for each other.
Why HCA
Hear from our students and graduates, and find out why they love studying at HCA.
Find Out More
What to do now
1 / Don’t rush anything.
It might feel like you need to make a decision right now. You don’t. You want to feel right about anywhere you are going to call home for three years (and maybe more). You have more time to make that decision that you think. Applications are open for 2023 places throughout September.
2 / Don’t brush aside smaller details.
What is going to be important to your education comes down a series of personal decisions. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions that matter to you. How much access to will you get to workshops? How big are seminar groups? Think about the things that are going to help you develop into a creative professional.
3 / Talk to people.
If you can, talk to graduates, talk to course staff, talk to people in your life about what you’re thinking. At the very least it is a great way of thinking things through. And if you can’t/don’t fancy it then drop onto the Instagram accounts of a college and get a flavour, or drop them a message in their DMs.
Come and see for yourself Book a Personal Tour now
Our personal tours are one of the best ways to learn about us.
You’ll be guided around the campus by a recent graduate and get to opportunity to chat with our lecturers, tech-dems, and students while perusing the studios, workshops, and workspaces.
Book a tour, or come see us on our upcoming Open Day (September 9).
How to Apply
Want to apply to HCA? We would love to hear from you. Find the best way of starting your application below.
Applying through UCAS is easy thanks to their step by step guide. Your creative future is just one click away.
If you haven’t yet applied through UCAS then you can apply directly to us. Just e-mail our Registry team at registry@hca.ac.uk and request an application form.
(Please note: If you have already applied through UCAS then the clearing process must be completed on the UCAS website)
Why not call our registry team on 01432 273359. They are ready and waiting to guide you through the application process.
“I knew I was a creative. I knew I wanted to make. So I took the plunge and came to HCA full-time.
New Designers 2022 - Colour in Design Award winner
Thought about a Foundation year?
Our Foundation diplomas are an incredible opportunities to throw yourself into your creative practice for nine months, and boost your UCAS points.
One of the biggest Foundation courses in the UK, some people use their Foundation year as a creative Gap Year – students from last year have gone on to study everything from Law to Politics.
Others build out their portfolio and go on to study art + design degrees at HCA, or at some of the other top arts universities in the country.
And every year, people find a passion for the arts and go on to work in the creative industries off the back studying a Foundation Diploma at HCA.
If your results today have had to rethinking if you are ready to study a degree – ask about Foundation diplomas and see if that might be the right first step for you.
Student Accommodation
Not sure where to stay? Don’t worry, there’s still room available in our new student accommodation block, No1 Station Approach
Fees and Funding
Worried about student fees? Take a look at our fees and funding page or call our Finance team on 01432 273359. We’ll talk you through the process and explain what finance options are best for you.
Hear what our graduates have to say about studying at HCA
Graduation: Class of 2020 & 2021
Applying through UCAS is easy thanks to their step by step guide. Your creative future is just one click away.
If you haven’t yet applied through UCAS then you can apply directly to us. Just e-mail our Registry team at registry@hca.ac.uk and request an application form.
(Please note: If you have already applied through UCAS then the clearing process must be completed on the UCAS website)
Why not call our registry team on 01432 273359. They are ready and waiting to guide you through the application process.