Good things come to those who wait.
If you’re thinking about starting a creative degree course this September, you are far from alone. Each year more and more people are making their applications through the Summer.
There is more than enough time to take care of everything you need to do, and our Outreach team can help you find out all the information you need to get started.
Studying a creative degree will be one of the most exciting, expressive and interesting times of your life. Here is how you can get started:
1. Find out more about the course
If you want to find out more about the course, we can put you in touch with the course leader for a chat – either in person, over the phone or over email.
If you’ve got time, our campus looks great in the sunshine. Arrange a personal tour through outreach@hca.ac.uk and get a feel for it yourself.
2. Get support with student finance and accomodation
Aside from information about the course, you might want to know more about our student accommodation, or how to apply for a student loan or for other finance to support your studies.
Our Finance and Registry teams are experienced in helping summer applicants get everything in place before they start in September and they will be on-hand to support you through the summer after you apply.
But if you have any questions before then, or want to arrange a tour of our new accommodation block, we would be happy to help however we can. Ask any questions by getting in touch with outreach@hca.ac.uk and we can put you in touch with the best person.
3. Start your application
You can apply to study on all of our degree courses through the UCAS website here. Find the course you are interested in, select ‘2023-2024’ and click/tap Apply. If you have not registered with UCAS before, you will have to create a free account to Apply.
Once you have applied we will be in touch to arrange an interview. Ideally that could be in-person on our campus, but if needed interviews can be done on a videocall.
If you have any questions about the application process – whether its about your qualifications or deadlines – our Registry team can help advise.
Again if you email us on outreach@hca.ac.uk or call the College, we can put you in touch with our Registry team to help you understand the process and make your application.
Step one.
What happens next…?
Once we have received your application, you will be invited to the college to attend an interview or an online interview. Please note for our art, design and media courses, you will be asked to bring along a recent portfolio of work with you to interview.
For Performing Arts and Popular music you will have an audition and an interview. During the interview, the tutor will find out more about you, and your creative interests and consider your suitability for the course based on the entry requirements for that particular course – again, these can be found on the individual course pages. Entry to our courses isn’t based solely on UCAS points (more below), so don’t worry.
FAQ's.... Frantically asked questions! (at this stage)
That’s okay! It can be as simple as a selection of up to 20 pieces of your favourite work from your personal practice, or from school or college.
Our lecturers and admissions teams are looking for your passion for the subject and artistic flair, not your ability to buy an expensive “portfolio”.
Not really. People come to creative education at different points in their lives and we welcome applications from students of all ages and influences.
There are some differences in the kind of bursaries and student finance available depending on your personal circumstances and we would be happy to support you through that process.
If you have been out of education for a while, or have any questions about your qualifications, just ask. Outreach and course teams will be able to help advise you before you put an application in.
Yes! Your creativity is what we’re interested in; your passions, your love of art, design, making and creating! UCAS points do matter and we would always encourage you to meet those criteria, HOWEVER people gain experience in many different ways and if you can show us why you believe you would fit onto one of courses then contact our Registry team here.
Step two
Track your application
Once your application is in, sit back and wait, or login in to UCAS and keep it permanently open day and night, as soon as we’ve reviewed your UCAS application, we will get back to you via the portal (and email) with your next step.
Don't let the process stop you! If this all feels a bit daunting and you need some help... Pick up the phone, email, message, we have a team of people ready to help you!
People apply to HCA with from different backgrounds and with different levels of experience. If you feel like it would help to talk to one of the HCA team ahead of applying through UCAS, our Registry team can offer informal ‘advisory interviews’ to guide you. If that sounds like it might be right for you, you can reach them on 01432 802878, or e-mail registry@hca.ac.uk for more information and to book in a time.
Step three
Accepting your offer
You’ve had an incredible interview, you absolutely love HCA, the campus, the town, the workshops and the course. Now what…? Once again, it’s time to keep an eye on UCAS, we will contact you within 48 hours to let you know the result, and following this, once you’ve received your offer from us, head to UCAS and click accept!
We know this can be an anxious and stressful time but we are here to help! If you need to get in touch at this stage, please do not hesitate to contact outreach@hca.ac.uk
That’s fine. We are finding more people are making their final decision later in the year, and it makes sense. Your life can change a lot in six months.
Whether this is your first application, or you applied to other institutions and now feel like HCA is a better fit, it is a simple process. Drop us an email on outreach@hca.ac.uk or give the College a call on 01432 273359 and we can talk you through what you need to do.
If you are looking for student accomodation we still have some places in our incredible new student accommodation – designed and built with art school students in mind. Click here to find out more about the rooms we offer, the prices and how to apply. No1 Station Approach
There is also a large number of rental properties within easy walking distance of the college.
If you are planning on commuting in, you can either get a parking pass during Freshers Week – or the bus and train stations are a fifteen minutes walk.
Want to come and see us?
June 10 is our last Open Day before the Summer, however staff will be around on campus throughout July and August and give you a personal tour. You can book an Open Day place here, or send us a message on outreach@hca.ac.uk to organise a tour.
Many students apply first and then visit after – that’s fine as well. We would love to meet you before September and can offer a full campus tour as part of your interview day.