A lot can change between January and August. It's time to get excited for your future.
Things change. People change. Plans change.
Every year, a large number of students apply to HCA over the summer months. For some people, that’s because their results left them thinking about what or where they want to study. But for a lot of people, it was just that something clicked in them over the last few months.
However you got here, we can help talk you through what it’s like to study a creative degree, and what it’s like to study at HCA.
It is an exciting time to be thinking about starting a creative career – with the creative industries and jobs in the design sector growing fast in the UK.
This year we have added two new degrees – Games Design and Digital Content Creation – to a portfolio of courses that was recently scored among of the very best degree experiences in the UK (2023 National Student Survey).
We will running personal tours of our gorgeous campus throughout August and September if you want to get a feel for Hereford, and for the college, and on Tuesday we will be running a drop-in day for anyone who wants to find out more info.
FIND THE RIGHT COURSE FOR YOU
Explore a subject that feeds your imagination.
GET A FEEL FOR THE CAMPUS
Set up a personal tour of the campus or arrange a chat with the course leader to ask the questions that are important to you.
> Email outreach@hca.ac.uk
WHAT TO DO NOW
1 / Don’t rush anything.
It might feel like you need to make a decision right now. You don’t. You want to feel right about anywhere you are going to call home for three years (and maybe more). You have more time to make that decision that you think. Applications are open for 2024 places up to September – but starting the process now will help you get the support you need for things like portfolios or student finance applications.
2 / Don’t brush aside smaller details.
What is going to be important to your education comes down a series of personal decisions. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions that matter to you. How much access to will you get to workshops? How big are seminar groups? Think about the things that are going to help you develop into a creative professional.
3 / Talk to people.
If you can, talk to graduates, talk to course staff, talk to people in your life about what you’re thinking. At the very least it is a great way of thinking things through. And if you can’t/don’t fancy it then drop onto the Instagram accounts of a college and get a flavour, or drop them a message in their DMs.
COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF Book a Personal Tour now
Our personal tours are one of the best ways to learn about us.
You’ll be guided around the campus by a recent graduate or staff member and get to opportunity to chat with our lecturers, while perusing the studios, workshops, and workspaces.
READY TO APPLY?
Want to apply to HCA? We would love to hear from you. Find the best way of starting your application below.
Find the course you want to apply to HERE. At the top of each page there is a yellow button that says Apply Now. Click/tap that to go straight through to relevant UCAS page.
Applying through UCAS is easy thanks to their step by step guide. Your creative future is just one click away.
If you haven’t yet applied through UCAS then you can apply directly to us. Just e-mail our Registry team at registry@hca.ac.uk and request an application form.
(Please note: If you have already applied through UCAS then the clearing process must be completed on the UCAS website)
If you have questions about the application process, or if you’re not sure which route is best for you, just call our Registry team on 01432 273359. They are ready and waiting to guide you through the process.
“I knew I was a creative. I knew I wanted to make. So I took the plunge and came to HCA full-time.
New Designers - Colour in Design Award winner
ACCOMMODATION
There is still room available in our new student accommodation block, No1 Station Approach. The units are safe, spacious and designed for creative students – and located just 15 minutes’ walk from campus.
FEES + FUNDING
Questions about student fees? Take a look at our fees and funding page or call our Finance team on 01432 273359. We’ll talk you through the process and explain what finance options are best for you.
What is a Foundation course?
Our Foundation diplomas are an incredible opportunities to throw yourself into your creative practice for nine months, and boost your UCAS points.
One of the biggest Foundation courses in the UK, some people use their Foundation year as a creative Gap Year – students from last year have gone on to study everything from Law to Politics.
Others build out their portfolio and go on to study art + design degrees at HCA, or at some of the other top arts universities in the country.
And every year, people find a passion for the arts and go on to work in the creative industries off the back studying a Foundation Diploma at HCA.
If your results today have had to rethinking if you are ready to study a degree – ask about Foundation diplomas and see if that might be the right first step for you.