Who goes to art college?
Everyone.
Each year our corridors are filled with people from big schools and small colleges, people who know exactly what they want to do and people who are just looking forward to finding that out, people who wear their creativity on their sleeves and people who keep it inside their heads and on their screens. It doesn’t matter why you came here, it matters that you are here. And because of its super-charged, 10-month programme, a Foundation Diploma is an exciting step for whatever you want to do next, even if you don’t know what that is yet.
It doesn't matter why you came here. It matters that you are here.
What do HCA students go on to do?
The majority of our Foundation students go on to a degree course, with our graduates finding new homes at some of the top art, music and dance schools in the UK – including Central St Martins, Trinity Laban and London College of Fashion. The Diploma helps you build your UCAS Points and your portfolio – as well as your confidence as an artist – and HCA students have a proven success getting on to their first-choice course after leaving us. A number of
students continue on to one of HCA’s degree course, and there is a £500 bursary available for any recent Foundation graduate looking do so.
Why study a foundation diploma?
There are probably more individual reasons and routes into our Foundation Diploma than any other course at HCA. The flexibility of the course lets you pursue whatever you want, and gives you the time to take risks and work out which creative disciplines get you excited. And its ten- month structure means some people use to prepare for Higher Education, others use it as a Gap Year or as a way of developing their creative practice before they move straight into a creative profession. Our Foundation course is also based on our degree-level campus, meaning you get a taste of the feel and facilities of an arts school, as well as access to some incredible visiting practitioners and personalised support to help you develop your portfolio. And for those young people who do want to go on to Higher Education, HCA’s Foundation students have a
proven track record of gaining their preferred degree choice.
Here's some amazing things HCA students have been up to over the last few weeks
Our soon-to-be graduates are hard at work as they finish off their final projects ahead of the end of year College Showcase. The largest single art event in Herefordshire, the exhibition spans both HCA campuses featuring work from more than 400 emerging artists before they take the next step in their creative career.
Last week 30 of our FE students got home after living and working in Malta and Italy for three weeks as part of the Turing Scheme – a project that funds students to go abroad and experience life in another culture. Judging by the pictures from students and HCA staff who accompanied them, they had an unforgettable experience.
Students from Foundation and Level 3 Extended Diploma were included in an exhibition at the Courtyard in Hereford that celebrated print and graphic design. The show was curated in conjunction with CMYK, which is a huge print and illustration festival on HCA’s degree-level campus. The event was also open to all HCA students for free, and featured talks and workshops from celebrated illustrators and print specialists who work regularly with everyone from the New York Times to punk band IDLES.
4 Reasons to study at HCA
HCA is a genuine creative community
Hundreds of young people come to the campus every day from across five counties to study, create and – in the moments between – to hang out here. Our hallways are full of talented individuals who you’ll work alongside, plan exhibitions with and hopefully stay in touch with long after you finish.
Get to work in inspiring workspaces
As a dedicated art college, you’ll get access to professional-quality workshops and studios. Expert technical demonstrators are on-hand in each workspace to give you the confidence and expertise to learn new hands-on skills and techniques, to use innovative kit and to unleash your creativity. You’ll also have access to IT, media and digital editing suites – as well as the full Adobe software package – and a library full of inspirational books on art, design, performance and technology.
Get a qualification that opens doors
Your diploma will be awarded by UAL – University of Arts, London – one of the biggest names in UK arts and culture. Earning a Distinction on an Extended Diploma at HCA will also give you 80-112 UCAS points, which is equivalent to 3 A*s at A-Level. Whatever you want your next step to be, continuing your studies or starting your career, this qualification will allow you to do it.
Get a ‘proper job’
In 2021 the UK had 2.29m jobs in the creative industries. Between 2010-
2019 the sector grew by more than 43 percent, more than double the UK
average – while the cultural sector has rebounded faster than the rest of
the UK economy post-pandemic. The way our courses are set up, you get
to work out who you are as a creative, and you get best possible
preparation to turn that passion into a career.
Accept your place!
Contact us directly : registry@hca.ac.uk
You can call us via our main switchboard between 8.30am – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday : 01432 273359
Hereford College of Arts, Folly Lane, Hereford, HR1 1LT