Find a course that inspires through Clearing

Campus shot in autumn sunshine, alongside a photo of an Illustration tutor talking to a student

Whether you’ve just received your grades, changed your mind, or are applying a little later – we’re here to help you find your place at Hereford College of Arts this September.

1. What is Clearing?


Clearing made simple

Clearing is a part of the UCAS application process that helps you find a course if you haven’t yet secured a university place – or if your plans have changed.

It’s open from 5 July until mid-October, but most students apply after they find out their grade.

Is Clearing for you?

Below are some of reasons students apply to HCA through Clearing.

If you are a mature student - or you recently studied a diploma at HCA - you may not need to go through Clearing to secure your place. Call the college or email our Registry team to find out if you can apply direct to HCA.

🤔 You've changed your mind about a university - or you want to explore a different subject

📩 Your grades were different to those you expected - and you are looking at other options

📅 You applied after 30 June

📍 You want to study closer to home

🔄 You didn't receive any offers earlier in the year

2. Who can apply?


Is Clearing right for you?

Clearing is open to a wide range of applicants. 

More than 70,000 students found their course via Clearing last year.

The fastest-growing group of students making late applications through Clearing are the Mind Changers. It is really common to reach the summer and feel different about a place or a subject - or a job - than you did three months ago. 

Clearing is another chance to find a course that is the right match for you as a student and as an individual.

 

Reasons you might apply through Clearing

You might apply through Clearing if:

  • You’ve changed your mind about your course or a university
  • You’ve only just decided you want to study a degree
  • You applied before but didn’t receive offers
  • Your grades are different to those you were expecting
  • Your life has changed and you want to stay closer to home

Whatever got you to this point, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Justin Gregory - Vice Principal of Higher Education

Creatives are - by nature - individual. Your journey to a degree course will be the same. Whenever you apply to study a degree, it’s an exciting first step. Summer applications are no different. Applying through Clearing shouldn’t feel like a last-minute option - and our dedicated teams will give you the guidance and support you need to find a course that feels right, and to help through the process so you don’t feel rushed.

Justin Gregory - Vice Principal of Higher Education

3. How to apply through Clearing


How it works in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1 : Explore our available courses below

Step 2 : Call us or apply through UCAS

Step 3 : Accept your offer and get ready to join HCA

 

Top Tip: Have your UCAS PID, grades, and a phone number ready. You can also call us if you haven’t applied through UCAS yet – we’ll help you understand your next steps.

How to take your next steps

Speak to us

Get in touch with our Outreach Team and they will walk you through the process, put you in touch with academic staff to talk through the course or answer any questions you have. They will tailor advice and support to your individual situation - you just have to ask.

Tap here to email us

Apply via UCAS

Tap the link below and find the HCA degree you want to apply for on the UCAS site. Then simply follow the prompts and get your application started today. (Check the filter is set for 2025-2026).

Apply via UCAS here

4. HCA courses available in Clearing


Explore our undergraduate degrees

We offer specialist, practice-based degrees in art, design, media and performance – all built around small group teaching, individual care, and creative freedom.

Swipe through the courses below currently accepting Clearing applications for September 2025:

Alex Maughan Final Piece

BA(Hons) Artist Blacksmithing

Forge your future by joining a degree course at the forefront of education in forged metal design, participating in a vibrant, international community of practice.

Degree Show final piece

BA(Hons) Contemporary Design Crafts

We are Makers - with a sensitivity and understanding of materials, design and context. Blending design principles with an innovative approach to process and material through hands-on making.

AI moss image

BA(Hons) Digital Content Creation

Video production, digital design and emerging media - Digital Content Creation is a new frontier for creatives to express their ideas.

Artwork from Matias Serra Delmar

BA(Hons) Fine Art

The world needs fine art thinkers more than ever before. The ability to see the world through a unique filter, and then express and communicate this to others is vital in this time of change. It can potentially influence our culture, our mental well-being, politics, and even the economy.

Minecraft Gaming

BA(Hons) Games Design

Master the in-demand skills needed to thrive in the entertainment industry's fastest-growing sector. Explore storytelling, world building and character development, while being supported to build your portfolio and kickstart your career in games design.

Ollie spike campaign black and white

BA(Hons) Graphic & Media Design

Immerse yourself in a dynamic design environment where industry-experienced lecturers will guide you towards becoming a professional in the ever-changing world of graphic and media design.

Coffee shop scene

BA(Hons) Illustration

Throughout our lives, illustration helps us all make sense of a complicated world. It is a communication tool that transcends language and culture, entertains and educates.

Man in the moon short film

BA(Hons) Illustration & Animation

Man in the moon still

silver chain

BA(Hons) Jewellery Design

We are Jewellers - with a love of materials, making and contemporary design. By blending physical and digital skills, we develop authentic, relevant and critically engaged jewellery practices.

6. What to do on Results Day


Your results day checklist

>>> Don't wait until Result Day to reach out. <<<

Talk to our Outreach at any point ahead of 14 August, and they can help you find all the information you need to make the right decision for you. Results Day can feel like a stressful event - but it doesn't need to be. Talking to our staff first will help you prepare and dispell some of the anxiety around the Clearing process.

📋 Be ready early
📋 Log into UCAS to check your status
📋 Have your grades, UCAS PID, and Clearing number (if you have one)
📋 Browse available courses
📋 Call our Registry team – we’ll guide you through it

✅ Don’t panic – there are lots of options, and we’ll help you make the right choice.

Call us on: 01432 273359

7. Clearing FAQs

 Yes, but if you’re not registered yet, we can help you start the process.

If you are a mature student or a recent HCA student on our diploma courses you can apply directl to HCA. Just email registry@hca.ac.uk to get your direct application started.

 Yes! While most of the students finish for the summer in mid-June following the Degree Show, our staff teams can still offer campus tours and show you our specialist studios and workshops.

 We work closely with our student accommodation provider – just email our Outreach team to ask us about current availability.

There will also be an Open Event for the student accommodation at Station Approach - reach out to our team for details.

 Yes, there is still plenty of time to secure student finance. 

Visit gov.uk/student-finance to apply.

If you apply through Clearing you go through the same process as students who applied earlier in the year. 

Once you apply, our Registry team will send you out a pack outlining your next steps - and that may include guidance on a portfolio or audition video.

For many students this will be the first time putting together a portfolio. Our academic teams can help support you through that part of the process, and explain how you can showcase your ideas and interests.

8: Parents and Supporters


Supporting someone through clearing?

Clearing can feel intense – but it’s also full of opportunity. If you’re a parent, guardian, friend or teacher supporting someone, we’re here to help you too.

Our short guide for supporters covers:

  • How the process works
  • What to do on results day
  • Talking it through with confidence

You can also speak directly to our team. We’re happy to help. Email outreach@hca.ac.uk to start a conversation with one of our team.

Your next steps


Whether you're applying through UCAS or just exploring your options, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out and let’s find your place at HCA.

View again

Accessibility settings

Use the options below to change your accessibility settings.

View accessibility policy

Allow Youtube content?

This content is provided by Youtube, we need to ask for your permission before viewing as they may be using cookies or other technology out of our control. You can read more in their policy before accepting. To view please continue below.

Accept