Information for Mature Students
Start where you are. Study one of our many creative courses as a mature student at Hereford College of Arts.
What do we mean by 'Mature Student'?
The timing has been perfect. You get to the stage in your life where you've got a bit more time. I worked hard, and I thought I'm going to do what I want to do now. You've got more confidence in yourself, and more experience, so as daunting as it was I felt quite chilled about it.
Caroline Allen, BA(hons) Fine Art and MA Fine Art
There's a personal challenge there - a degree gives you the recognition that you've worked hard for something. People might not ask to see your certificate, but you know that you've done it for you.
Tom Hancock - BA(hons) Contemporary Design Crafts
HCA is a wonderful college and allows you to experiment, learn, play and fulfil your creative potential in a very supportive, encouraging atmosphere.
Tottie Aarvold - Portfolio and BA(hons) Photography
Prepare yourself for a full-on and rewarding year during which you will get to experience a wide variety of techniques and thought-provoking challenges.
Andrea Davis - Portfolio
It's been a massive challenge - I think I've grown a lot. I wish I could stay more.
Begoña Mazarrasa Inda - BA(hons) Textile Design
Thinking about returning to study?
Choose your route
Best for:
- Returning to study after a long gap
- Building confidence before a BA
- Clarifying your direction and experimenting across disciplines
You’ll leave with:
- A developed portfolio
- Clear progression options
- Stronger technical and conceptual skills
- Confidence in your creative voice
You’ll work in specialist facilities on our degree campus including specialist 3D workshops and digital studios. You will learn alongside other mature students, as well as Foundation diploma students, and receive close guidance from tutors experienced in supporting adult learners.
Funding may be available through an Advanced Learner Loan.
Best for:
- Career change or developing industry-ready skills
- Diving deeper into your personal practice
- Committing fully to a creative pathway
We assess mature applicants individually. Your portfolio and readiness matter.
You’ll benefit from:
- Studio-based learning
- Access to specialist facilities
- Option for part-time study (selected courses)
- Career support and industry engagement
- Academic and wellbeing support services
Many of our mature students balance part-time work and family life alongside study. We’re honest about time commitments and can help you understand what to expect.
Best for:
- Deepening practice
- Taking your work to an advanced level
- Repositioning your career or your practice
- Transitioning into teaching or research
MA study is rigorous, reflective and self-directed - but supported.
You’ll gain:
- Advanced critical and practical skills
- Exhibition or final project opportunities
- Professional and academic progression routes
Many of our MA students return to study after years in industry. Their experience strengthens the studio environment.
Visit us for an open day
We hold regular Open Events during term time. They are a great opportunity to get a feel for the campus, talk to staff and ask the questions that matter to you. If you're not able to find a convenient date, you can contact our Outreach team (outreach@hca.ac.uk) and they may be able to organise a personal campus tour for you.
Find an Open Day hereWhere can this take you?
Linda Pitcher interview by the Guardian
Read about Linda's journey - from returning to education to exhibiting at New Designers.
Watch: Global Creative Graduate Showcase winner Sophie Ferrier
Hear more Sophie's experience studying an undergraduate degree - and how it helped her career.
Watch: Pete Bryden talks about his experience applying as a mature student
Pete talks about his ambitions and reflects on his experience at his MA Fine Art show.
Watch: Interviews with MA Contemporary Crafts students
Hear from several mature postgraduate students following their 2026 MA Show.
Studying a qualification vs a short course
Depth, not just exposure
A structured qualification gives you:
> Sustained studio time over months or years
> Personal and in-depth critical feedback
> A clear progression of challenge and complexity
> Peer discussion and collaborative learning
> Time to refine, rethink and deepen your work
Creative confidence grows through repetition, reflection and challenge - not just moments of inspiration.
Community and accountability
Independent learning requires discipline - and can often feel restrictive in its scope. Studying within a qualification provides:
> Structure and pacing, with projects and teaching designed to support your development
> A strong studio culture
> A breadth of ideas, inspiration and outcomes
> Ongoing external feedback from experienced professionals
Many mature students tell us this structure is what finally allowed them to prioritise their creative development.
Recognition and credibility
A formal qualification:
> Demonstrates commitment and resilience
> Brings significant personal pride in your achievements
> Is recognised by institutions and employers
> Strengthens applications for roles, funding and further study
> Culminates in a major public show
For mature students making a significant life change, or looking to break through with their work, that recognition can matter.
Common Questions
This is one of the most common concerns we hear.
Many of our mature students haven’t studied formally in 5, 10, 20 or even 30 years - and the rhythm of education can feel unfamiliar at first.
What helps:
- Studio-based learning with practical, project-led teaching
- Step-by-step guidance from experienced tutors
- A strong mature student presence within the college
- Study skills and academic writing support if needed
- A structured timetable that builds confidence gradually
If you’re unsure, our Portfolio course is often a strong re-entry point. It’s designed to rebuild confidence, direction and a body of work.
That doesn’t automatically stop you.
For mature applicants, we look carefully at:
- Your portfolio
- Your experience (employment, self-directed practice, community projects)
- Your motivation and readiness
If your qualifications are older or non-traditional, or outside of the subject you are applying for, talk to us. We regularly consider experience alongside formal entry requirements.
Funding works differently depending on your level of study.
- Portfolio (Level 3) - You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan
- Undergraduate - Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans are available through Student Finance England (subject to eligibility)
- MA - Postgraduate Loans are available (subject to eligibility)
There may also be additional support available if you have dependants or specific circumstances.
We know finance is a practical concern. Our team can help you understand what applies in your situation.
You don’t need a perfect body of work. You just need evidence of ideas, experimentation and development.
A simple starting point:
- Gather what you already have - drawings, photography, writing, digital work
- Consider making new work consistently for 2–4 weeks
- Document your process, not just finished pieces
- Reflect briefly on why you made the work
Most Course Leads offer portfolio advice appointments so you can get feedback before applying. You can contact our Outreach Team to arrange one using the link below.
Mature students are a visible and valued part of our community.
You won’t be the only one returning to education. Across our Portfolio, BA and MA courses, we regularly welcome students aged 21+ through to 50+.
Ways to connect:
- Mature student meet-ups
- Smaller studio groups
- Cross-year collaboration opportunities
Many mature students tell us their life experience becomes one of their greatest strengths in studio discussions and projects. They also frequently note their enjoyment working alongside students of all ages - and the impact it has on the broadening their learning.
Returning to study is a significant investment of your time and energy - but it can be a hugely enriching experience that often shapes how students see themselves and their practice.
It is for you if:
- You want to take your creativity seriously again
- You’re ready for a career change into the creative industries
- You don’t have recent qualifications, but you do have experience
- You excited by the idea of improving your skills - but you're nervous about going back into education
- You want to reframe your current practice - or explore new avenues
- You feel like you would benefit from structure, studio time and a community around you
- You would benefit from external insight and specialist feedback to take your work to the next level
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.
How to apply
You can for this course online, via the HCA application portal.
You will be asked for some basic information, including your previous qualifications, along with a personal statement. You can save your application and return to it at any point.
Once our team has received your application, you will be invited by the course leader for an informal interview to discuss your interests, ideas and what you want to study on the course.
If you are applying to more than one institution you will need to register with UCAS, find the HCA course you want to apply for and complete your application on their website.
If you are only applying to us, most mature students are eligible to complete our HCA Direct application.
In both circumstances, our team will be in touch once we have your application with some guidance on submitting a portfolio. Your portfolio will be reviewed by the course leader and we will offer you a place - or in some circumstances, arrange for a follow-up interview.
You can download an MA application form from the How To Apply pages on our website.
You will be asked to submit a portfolio, and a short, 500-word proposal for your schedule of study. If you want to discuss your proposal prior to submitting it - you can arrange an informal chat with the course leader.
Following you proposal and portfolio submission, you will be invited to an interview with the MA course leader.
Other information
Studying is an investment. Clear information about funding is an important part of planning your next step.
Undergraduate study
Most eligible students can apply for:
- Tuition Fee Loans
- Maintenance Loans
Those are available through Student Finance England. Eligibility criteria apply, and your previous study history may affect entitlement.
Level 3 study
If you complete an Access to Higher Education Diploma, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. In some circumstances, this loan is written off if you progress to and complete a higher education qualification.
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate Loans are available for eligible MA students.
Because funding rules can vary depending on age and previous qualifications, we recommend checking your eligibility directly with Student Finance England and speaking to our team for guidance.
Our staff teams have experience supporting all students managing their studies alongside their life off-campus - but we are aware that mature learners are often balancing other commitments.
Within the course there may be the possibility for flexibility around schedules and deadlines, however attendance is a key element of courses.
The following courses are built around a part-time workload - and while they include variable levels of independent study - there is a reduced requirement to be on campus for taught hours:
- Portfolio diploma - 2.5 days of taught hours
- BA(hons) Fine Art, BA(hons) Contemporary Design Craft and BA(hons) Jewellery Design all have part-time options
- MA - built around a two-day teaching schedule
Mature students bring focus, perspective and professional experience to studio learning. Whatever your starting point, there are clear routes into higher education at HCA.
If you already hold qualifications
If you have A-levels, BTECs or equivalent qualifications, you may already meet the entry criteria for your chosen course.
Entry requirements vary by level and subject. If you’re unsure how your qualifications fit, our Registry team can advise you on your eligibility and next steps.
If you need to build your qualifications
If you don’t currently meet entry requirements for a degree, there are established routes to help you prepare.
Our one-year Portfolio (Level 3) course provides a focused route into undergraduate study, helping you develop your work, confidence and progression plan.
Your experience matters
For mature applicants, we consider more than recent academic results.
Professional work, freelance practice, self-directed creative projects, volunteering or community activity can all strengthen your application. These experiences demonstrate commitment, resilience and readiness.
Your personal statement and interview are opportunities to explain your journey and your direction.
Undergraduate
Explore our creative courses by using the personalised filter to find the perfect match based on who you are and what you work with, or browse through the different levels to discover the right course for you.
Explore our Undergraduate coursesPostgraduate
Explore our creative courses by using the personalised filter to find the perfect match based on who you are and what you work with, or browse through the different levels to discover the right course for you.
Explore our Postgraduate courses