How to apply
Found a course that you'll love? Here's how you get started.
Overview
General application tips
1. Be yourself
As a person, and as an artist, your individuality is a strength. The application process is a chance to showcase the things that interest and influence you as much as almost anything else.
Your journey at HCA is going to be different to the person who sits next to you. There's no reason your application should look the same. Be confident in who you are.
2. Keep it simple
Dieter Rams said that "good design is as little design as possible". The same is true of applications.
Try not to overthink it. Whether you're writing a personal statement or having an interview with a course lead, don't feel like you have to say everything on a subject - pick out the things you feel are most important to the application and give them your focus.
3. Get a second pair of eyes
Whether it's a friend, a teacher, a family member, or someone you know has been through a similar process, having someone else read over your application will give you a new perspective on your own words.
It might not change anything, but it might throw up something you hadn't thought of.
4. We are not all writers
Our application process is designed for you to showcase the best of yourself. There will be some writing involved, but there will be plenty of opportunity to communicate who you are in other ways - through auditions if you are performer, or through your portfolio if you are a visual artist or designer.
5. Look forward
It's about where you're going as much as where you're coming from. You might have a portfolio that is bursting at the seams - and that's great - but you also might not have done much work at all in your subject area, and that okay as well.
We are all bout passion and potential. Talk about the things you want to do on the course, and the things other people are doing that you like. Get in touch with registry@hca.ac.uk and they can link you up with course teams directly if you have any questions about pulling together a portfolio or wha to prepare for audion.
FAQs
This depends on what level you are applying to, and there may be some flexibility around late applications (you can always reach out to Registry and check).
- Post-16 and Foundation: applications open in October. You can sign up here to be notified when applications go live.
- Undergraduate Degrees and MAs: If you are applying directly to HCA, you can start your application at any point however if you are applying through UCAS, it isn not that straightforward. T start a courses in September 2025, you can register on UCAS from May 2024, and send in completed applications from 3 September 2024.
*** REGISTRY TO CHECK***
We would love to welcome you any time. Many students apply first, and then visit - while others fall in love with the campus on an Open Day, and apply after.
Through the year we run a series of Open events and also schedule Campus Tours if you want a more personal introduction to HCA and our course leaders.
You can find more info on both here.
We recommend waiting until you have an offer before booking student accommodation.
Our student housing - Station Approach - is managed by City Heart Living. You can get a student-led tour of the new, purpose-built accommodation on any of our Degree Open Days and City Heart Living also run an Open House in during the summer.
Or you can reserve your room online through the City Heart Living website here.
If you have applied to study a degree or Masters course through UCAS, you can accept your offer by logging into UCAS.
If you have applied to other institutions, you can wait to see if you receive other offer before replying through UCAS, or you can withdraw from them and accept your HCA straight away.
If you have applied directly to HCA we will contact you with our offer, and you can accept it immediately.
If you have applied to study a Post-16, Foundation or Portfolio course we will contact you with our offer, and there will be an option to can accept it immediately.
*** REGISTRY TO CHECK ***
Yep, you can apply for more than one course. Many of our students have talents and interests than span multiple areas.
All our courses are flexible enough to allow you to work across disciplines and encourage you to explore different facets of you creativity.
Therefore we would advise trying narrow down your choice to one if you can - and and we can put you in touch with staff and students on courses to chat to help you make a decision.
However, if you feel like you would like to apply to multiple courses to give you more time to make a decision, that is okay as well.
Similarly, you are able to apply for both our Foundation diploma and an undergraduate degree at the same time.
The best first port of call is our Registry team, who handle all applications at HCA and questions around qualifications or portfolios/auditions.
You can email them at registry@hca.ac.uk or call the main college line (01432 273359) and select the Registry option.
If your question is about the course content or timetable, you can email outreach@hca.ac.uk and they can put you in touch directly with the academic team for a chat.
If you have a more general question about subjects like student financing, accommodation or disability support before you apply you can also email outreach@hca.ac.uk. Once you have applied to HCA, our Finance, Academic Support and Wellbeing teams will be available to help you.
Also in this section
Undergraduate degree
Everything you need to know to apply for a Post-16 course at HCA
Postgraduate degree
Everything you need to know to apply for a Post-16 course at HCA
Post-16 courses
Everything you need to know to apply for a Post-16 course at HCA
Foundation diploma
Everything you need to know to apply for a Post-16 course at HCA
Portfolio course
Everything you need to know to apply for a Post-16 course at HCA