Enrolment Information: Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design + Portfolio

The projects we will be exploring will be varied and ambitious. It is likely that you will be extending skillsets that you have built previously, but importantly you will be exploring new creative avenues as well. We will be with you to support you every step of the way – just bring an open mind, curiosity, enthusiasm, and a will to work hard and you will be creating some innovative work in new fields in no time at all. 

We have two overnight educational visits booked this coming year and we expect everyone to participate. The November progression trip will include a visit to the Manchester UCAS ‘Create your Future’ Fair, alongside museums and galleries in the area. The London research trip in March will coincide with your final major project in Unit 3 and provide opportunities to gather relevant primary research to support the project.

The staff on the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design value input and communication from parents or guardians (the majority of students still live at home). 

The very nature of the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is diagnostic and so it may take a student a little while to find their specialist direction. Tutors are on hand to help the students find an area of specialism that is appropriate for them. If any parents/guardians have concerns about a students’ progress on the course, then they are welcome to email the college and make a telephone appointment with the tutor or Course Leader.

The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and Portfolio Courses are short and intense educational experiences. Therefore, you are strongly advised not to book any holidays during term time. If a holiday has been booked for some months prior to the start of the course, we will require you to provide evidence of the booking date. The term dates for 2026/27 were emailed to you on your offer email and can also be found in the enrolment hub or on the HCA website.

Good attendance and punctuality are of the utmost importance for students on the course as it runs for just one academic year (our college target is a minimum of 95%). Should your attendance go below the expected level then we will write to students (and to their parents/guardians, if they are on the Foundation Diploma in Art & Design course) to inform you of our concerns. If for any reason a student does not want their parents/guardians to be contacted (if they are estranged from them and living independently for example), then they must make this known to the Registry Department prior to enrolment. 

Although we do not have a dress code at Hereford College of Arts, and very much encourage all students to celebrate their own identity and individuality as part of our creative community, we also expect our students to respect the rights and opinions of others and will challenge any intolerance or discrimination accordingly.

• Roll of masking tape* - Example
• Pencils (2B, 4B, 6B)* - Example
• An A1/A2 size clear plastic portfolio/poly holdall for your 2D work* - Example
• Your own scissors* - Example

• A putty rubber* (squishy rubber that works on graphite, charcoal etc. standard erasers just won’t do the job) - Example
• A small watercolour tray, if this something that you feel you would like to use in drawing sessions and in your sketchbooks - Example
• A medical scalpel and blades (NOT a craft knife, NOT a Stanley knife) - Example
• A3 Cutting Mat - Example
• Portable box of for art supplies (capable of holding all of above) - Example 
• A lab coat or workshop apron (Many processes will require this protective clothing, and you will be inducted into all workshops. You will also not be allowed into a workshop without tied back hair and sensible shoes) - Example

Please note – the items marked by an asterisk (*) are available from the college shops, which are located in Reception at the College Road Campus and Folly Lane campus. Opening hours during term time are: 

Monday – Thursday: 8.30am – 4.30pm

Friday: 8.30am – 4pm

We will provide an initial sketchbook, and it is important to remember that you must not throw anything away as we need to see everything at assessment points. 

We actively encourage our students to be resourceful and take responsible ownership of the shared studio environment. We highlight the importance of making the student’s practice sustainable by recycling and upcycling and by not using excessive materials. We don’t provide palettes for paint or ink but do encourage all students to bring in clean recycled tin cans and plastic trays to use. 

The finance department will contact you soon with details about course fees and funding.

Permits

Hereford College of Arts understands that parking on campus is limited and that it is therefore essential that the College manages its limited parking spaces, as well as actively encourage sustainable travel, the aim is to ensure that a fair and considered approach to students requesting to park on campus is carried out.

Application Process

Students must complete the application form below to request a permit.

The vehicles MOT and Tax status will be checked via the DVLA website and the vehicle MUST be taxed and have a valid MOT.  We will not issue a permit that is not Taxed and has a valid MOT at the point of application.

Permit Costs

For all other permits there is a one off cost of £25. 

The permit is valid for the current academic year (or part thereof) in which the application is being made.

The payment will need to be made after an application is deemed to be successful and at the point of collection of the parking pass.

The pass will not be issued until full payment is made, and you will not be authorised to park in the car parks until your application is approved.

Consideration to Neighbours and Residents

If you do not park on campus but still choose to drive and park in the neighbouring, primarily residential, areas surrounding all College sites, please observe the following guidelines:

Observe legal parking restrictions: this includes Residents’ Only schemes, time limitations and other restrictions including safe access for emergency vehicles, parking near pedestrian crossings, bus stops or traffic lights. Clearly, we do not enforce such restrictions and whether or not you receive a penalty or enforcement notice is at your own risk. Please bear in mind that these restrictions are there for a purpose and their infringement is at best annoying and inconvenient for residents and at worst can be dangerous.

Use consideration at all times: do not obstruct access for residents e.g. by parking across drives and entrances; do not park on private property or in reserved spaces; park considerately and appropriately e.g. not on pavements or footpaths.

We value our good relations with our neighbours and parking is the most potentially contentious issue that aggravates these relations. While there are undeniable pressures on parking space in the area, most problems arise from a lack of courtesy, consideration and common sense.

Terms & Conditions

If you do travel to our Folly Lane Campus, please note Hereford College of Arts shares the Folly Lane campus with Hereford and Ludlow College and Hereford Sixth Form College. All three Colleges operate a different car parking permit scheme. 

Please note that the car park at the front of the College at Folly Lane is reserved for visitors and Blue Badge Holders  Permit holders are not authorised to park in these spaces.  These spaces are also patrolled and monitored.

Penalty Charge Notices

The full management of all of our car parks is carried out by CPSM, they will enforce parking restrictions on all of the car parks between 08:00hrs – 16:00hrs Monday to Friday.

You may receive a penalty charge notice if:

• The correct permit is not clearly displayed on the car for which it was issued.
• You are not parked in a marked bay.
• You are parked on double yellow lines, obstructing access and/or fire exits.
• You are parked in a disabled space without a disability permit clearly displayed.

The Penalty Notice is £100 (reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days).

Please note that the College has no power to overturn or cancel a parking notice if issued, all appeals need to be submitted directly to CSPM.

Lost Permits

Only one permit application per student is allowed and the charge for replacing lost permits will be £10. 

Students are permitted to receive a new permit should they change their car but will need to return their old permit in order to do so.

Please note: If you are parked in an area belonging to one of the other Colleges, e.g. HLC, HSFC or RNC, you may receive a penalty charge notice – these car parks are subject to each Colleges’ own terms & conditions, so different penalty charges may apply.

Due to the lack of car parking space it is in your interest to consider alternative transport arrangements to and from College. A permit does not guarantee you a parking space. Car parking permits are issued at the discretion of the College and may be cancelled or withdrawn.

Users of College car parks do so at their own risk. The College will not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to vehicles or their contents.