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HCA Direct - how to apply from another college

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HCA Direct takes out the hassle and fees from the application process - and lets you get an offer quickly so you can start planning for your future.

What is HCA Direct?

HCA Direct removes some of the paperwork and stress around applying for a degree - helping you get a decision quickly so you can move forward with plans for your future. It also means you won't have to pay a UCAS fee just to apply.

The process is only open to a small number of partner colleges - and you may be eligible for a £500 cash bursary to help ease cost of living pressures as you study.

With one in three UK degree students intending on studying close to home, HCA Direct aims to make that process as straightforward as possible.

Explore our prospectus

Tap the link the below to explore our 2026 prospectus. Get a flavour for our courses, our community and our campus - and find out how we support students as individuals.

Read our 2026 Prospectus

How it works

1. fill out an HCA Direct application form

Instead of going through the full UCAS process, you simply fill out a HCA Direct application form. This will ask for basic personal details, details on what subjects you are studying and some information on why you want to study on the course.

2. Your portfolio, self-tape audition or interview

As part of the application process for creative courses, you will be asked to send in a portfolio or audition tape to give the course leader a sense of your creative interests. HCA will send you guidance on what you can include - but this is just a chance to demonstrate your passion for the subject, and showcase the areas you might want to explore further on a degree .

3. Your offer

Your application will be reviewed by the course leader. You will receive a portfolio review, together with your offer.

4. Get ready to join us in September

Once you have an offer from us you will start to receive updates from the college. You will also be able to access guidance from our student services teams if you need assistance with anything from student finance or disability support.

Who can apply through HCA Direct?

Direct application is only available to current or recent HCA Extended Diploma of Foundation Diploma students OR students attending the colleges listed below. 

> You can only use HCA Direct if HCA is the only institution you are applying to. If you also want to apply to study a degree course at a different college or university, you will still need to use UCAS.

 

Colleges who can use HCA Direct:

  • Hereford Sixth Form College
  • Hereford Cathedral School
  • Hereford, Ludlow and North Shropshire College
  • Royal National College for the Blind 
  • Hereford College of Arts

 

Are you an educator interested in developing a partnership with HCA - contact outreach@hca.ac.uk to find out more about the benefits.

Explore our Undergraduate degrees

At HCA you can study one of 13 creative undergraduate degrees - or start on a one-year Foundation diploma in Art & Design, which is fantastic prep either for degree study, or going straight into work. Explore our degrees using the link below - and contact outreach@hca.ac.uk if you've got any questions about our courses, or you want to arrange a campus tour.

Find your perfect course

Download an HCA Direct Application Form

Use the link below to download your application form. Simply fill it out, email it in to registry@hca.ac.uk and get started towards your future.

Download form

Key benefits

If you are applying through HCA Direct, you may be eligible for a £500 cash bursary. You can qualify for the bursary if:

  • You are going into full-time study
  • You have progressed from a full-time course at Level 3 within the last two years

Bursaries are paid to students in three termly instalments (paid out at 25%, 25% and 50%) and our Finance team will be on-hand to help answer questions about it at enrolment, or via email before you apply. 

You many also be eligible for other bursaries - find more information around bursaries and funding on here.

If you have any questions about the bursary, you can contact finance@hca.ac.uk before or after you apply.

Because you will be dealing directly with HCA you can get an answer to your application much faster.

This helps when you're making plans for September - and it also means you don't have to time your application around UCAS deadlines or the UCAS Clearing process in order to get an offer. 

Students have gone through HCA Direct really valued having that direct relationship with course leaders during the process.

The sooner you get your offer, the sooner our teams can support you in getting ready to start. Get guidance on student finance, accommodation options or applying for a DSA.

More info

Find out more on an Open Day

Join us on 13 June for our final Open Day before the summer

WATCH: Sky News on trend in students studying from home

The UCAS CEO on why 31% of students intending to study from home

Explore careers on the creative industries

Use the WonderWhat tools to match your creative interests with a careers pathway
Graduating student outside Hereford Cathedral in conversation with a teacher

Undergraduate

Information about student fees and funding opportunities to support your studies.

Any questions?

Our team are here to help - before or after you place an application. If you have any questions around HCA Direct, entry requirements, or anything regarding applying to HCA don't hesitate to contact our Registry team via email (registry@hca.ac.uk).

If you are an educator and want to find out more about HCA, or arrange a visit to campus - you can contact our Outreach team (outreach@hca.ac.uk). 

Download an HCA Direct Application Form

Use the link below to download your application form. Simply fill it out, email it in to registry@hca.ac.uk and get started towards your future.

Download form

The 2026 Degree Show

Essential information for the 2026 Degree Show

Visit the campus during the Degree Show to get a feel for what students can achieve at HCA

Undergraduate Degree Open Day / June 13th

Open Days at HCA >> From studios to support, see what sets us apart. Explore the courses. Walk the campus. Meet the people who’ve made Hereford their creative home.

Our final undergraduate Open Day is on 13 June - join us and find out more about life on campus

Next steps

How to apply Book an open day Accommodation A-Z Course finder

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