Art, Design & Communication

We also offer a 1 year Level 2 diploma course, that allows you to enter in at a lower entry point to gain experience and confidence before moving onto the 2 year Level 3 Extended Diploma course. See more information further down the page. 

You will start the course by working for Hereford Applefest, creating content for the High Town festival in September, including banners, decorations and Hereford themed Art Exhibitions.  At the same time, we’ll be inducting you into different areas of the college, so you are confident and ready to thrive.

Over the following 10 weeks, you’ll be on rotation projects; a series of short 2 week projects where you rotate through 5 different specialisms, each associated with a workshop and specialist tutor.

For two weeks, straddling the winter break, you’ll work in groups designing a product and will pitch your outcomes to a Team of professionals in a Dragon’s Den style.

Next, you’ll develop digital design skills in a ‘client lead’ brief producing illustration, graphic design and moving image that will be displayed on the client’s online spaces.

From working under specification, you’ll now move into creative freedom, taking music as your muse and with 4 weeks, you rotate through more workshop processes and take the project in a direction of your own.

This builds you into Final Major Project, a 10 week project where an open brief allows you to explore any avenue. Here, we will challenge you to explore, experiment, take creative risks and then refine.  Your best work will be displayed in the Summer Showcase, an exciting end.

In June, you’ll work an additional life brief and have a summer project.

The summer project will ease you into the second year down at Studio 18, our university standard second year space. ‘Everything is an Experiment’ encourages you to develop your creative practice by pushing media testing.  This will give an insight into how you might want to develop your career.

Next, you’ll have 8 weeks to focus on your entrepreneurial skills in ‘Pop Shop’, marketing, budgeting, merchandising and selling products for the public, during the Christmas buzz.

Focusing on Sustainability, ‘Deconstruct Reconstruct’, asks you to avoid purchasing anything new, or to create your own sustainable materials like natural dyes.  Here, you’ll have a chance to show your work in the Winter Exhibition at the Courtyard.

By this stage in the course, you will have developed your specialism and be fully prepared to write your own Project Proposal for Final Major Project.  You will be supported throughout the 10 weeks and go on a fully immersive journey into your own creative potential, again Showcasing your work in a very professional feeling environment.

Contextual research and understanding, the use of the design cycle and reflective practice are at the heart of every project.  After each project, you’ll receive a formative assessment but will have lots of one-to-one support in between. Final Major Project will be a summative assessment and you’ll receive a pass, merit or distinction grade at the end of each year.

This is a hands on course where you will learn by doing, gaining hands on experience within the ceramics, 3D, textiles, small metals, print workshops, and more... The dedicated tutor team will guide you as you develop specialist skills and your progress will be assessed through coursework, rather than exams. 

Hereford College of Arts has a diverse mix of students, including people with different learning styles and needs. We have a positive, inclusive atmosphere where all of our students are able to access support for their studies. Find out more here.

English and Maths are an integral part of the course.  

If you do not yet have the necessary grades (Grade 4/C or above) you will get additional teaching and support to study for either a GCSE or functional skills qualification, depending on your prior GCSE grades. 

The Study Skills team at HCA is committed to providing a high standard of specialised and individually tailored support to improve outcomes for all students. This support includes extra provision for those who:

• Would benefit from enhancing their academic writing, referencing and critical thinking skills;
• Need to further develop their English and Maths abilities;
• Require exam access arrangements such as 25% extra time;
• Have particular learning requirements and need to focus on developing their organisation, planning and academic abilities;
• Have English as their second language (EAL);
• May benefit from using Assistive Technology to develop greater independence.

Study Skills support is currently delivered through specialist English, Maths or EAL sessions, as well as provision for students focusing on their coursework. The team aims to support learners in setting their own targets in order to develop their independence and achieve their full potential throughout their chosen course of study.

All students also have access to scheduled drop-in sessions for support for all areas including coursework, English and Maths, study skills, EAL, information, advice and guidance. Find out more here. (Insert link)

Students have access to a wide range of specialised workshops including textiles, print, ceramics and 3D, where they will rotate through different activities with our technical demonstrators. In addition, they will learn digital processes using our Digital Skills Centre and benefiting from the knowledge of our highly specialised team, and our well stocked arts library.

HCA is privileged to also include a Higher Education provision, which our Level 3 diploma students also have access to, including - workshops, library and the new carbon neutral digital skills centre. 

We understand that deciding what course to do, or what career path to follow, can seem a bit daunting. Our Careers programme and Information, Advice and Guidance services are accredited by Matrix Standard and our team is always on hand to provide information, advice and guidance to students. 

Our post-16 courses offer an outstanding foundation to pursue a career in the creative industries and beyond. 

Every year students progress onto degree courses at some of the top arts and stage schools in the UK, or go on to study other subjects from Medicine to Marketing.

You can apply at any point during the year directly to HCA. We receive a high number of application across our four subject areas so we recommend that you make your application as early as possible.

Find out more here. 

Once you have completed the online application form we will write to you and invite you to attend a face-to-face interview or audition. 

We will also send you some guidance to help you prepare - but the main aim of your interview is to give us the chance to get to know you, and for you to get a feel for the course team.

We schedule interview/audition in blocks to give you a chance to meet some of the other students who will be starting the course with you.

At HCA we want you to apply happy. The application process doesn't need to be scary. Remember, we are looking for your passion and potential - not perfection. And we are here to help every step of the way so you feel comfortable through the process.

Level 3 Extended Diploma (2 years)

• Minimum 5 GCSEs at Grade 9 – 4 (A*- C), or a Level 2 Diploma Merit grade in your subject.  

  To ensure that you qualify, it is highly desirable that you achieve at least a Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths.

• Interview and portfolio or audition.
• Minimum age: 16 years old.

Level 2 Diploma (1 year)

• Minimum 4 GCSEs Grade 9 – 2 (previously A* – F)

  To ensure that you qualify, it is also highly desirable that you achieve at least a grade 4 / C or above in English or Maths.

• Interview and portfolio or audition.
• Minimum age: 16 years.

We are passionate about access to outstanding education. Every student comes to us at a different point in their journey. Students have a broad range of subject area experience, academic qualifications and personal circumstances.

One way to ensure you get the most out of the course is by making sure you start in the right place.

All our curriculum areas offer a Level 2 entry, which will provide you with an outstanding foundation in the subject before moving on to the two-year Level 3 course. 

You can start at Level 2 with lower GCSE grades (outlined above), or limited experience in the arts. 

The fees for the additional Level 2 year is funded by the Government in the same way, so you won’t have to pay additional course fees at any point in your diploma studies.

Course leads will make a recommendation based on results - as well as meeting you and talking to you - if they think you would benefit from starting your studies at Level 2.

There is always some movement between groups early on in the first term, as you find your own level within the college. 

Almost all of our students progress from Level 2 onto our Level 3 courses - with many going on to thrive, and go on to study a degree after their diploma.