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How to apply: Portfolio course

Textiles project featuring a hand-embroidered vest modeled by a lady. Also featuring a close-up of the piece

Everything you need to know to apply for the Portfolio course at HCA

Apply for 2025

Based on its degree campus, HCA has one of largest Foundation courses in UK. 

As a mature student you can join our Portfolio course, which mirrors the structure of our Ofsted Outstanding-rated Foundation course and build your skills, confidence and influences through a ten-month part-time programme.

Many of our Portfolio students progress onto full-time or part-time degree courses, but many others use it as an opportunity explore and challenge their own practice, or just to try something different.

You can apply to study on our Portfolio course at any point during the year. You apply directly to HCA using our online portal.

We receive a high number of applications every year areas so we recommend that you make your application as early as possible.

Applying with us

Our step-by-step guide

You can apply now by following these simple steps:

  1. Go to the course page.
  2. Click or tap the Apply Now button.
  3. Follow the instruction on the online application portal to register and start your application.

If you are unable to access the online application form, please contact the Registry Department on 01432 845304 or email registry@hca.ac.uk.

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

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 try to schedule interviews in blocks to give you a chance to meet some of the other students who will be starting the course with you.

If you want a full campus tour before or after your interview, that can be arranged through our Outreach team.

Below are our standard Entry Requirements for the Portfolio course

  • Students must share a portfolio of work and discuss their creative ambitions at interview.
  • Due to the level of critical research and evaluation on course, we prefer for students to hold a minimum GCSE grade 4 or above/ O Level C or above or equivalent in English.
  • Minimum age: 21 years, with no upper age limit.

Many students do not come directly from education. In many cases we will consider your life experiences and passion for the subject, alongside any formal qualification so if you want to to study but have questions around how your profile fits - please get in touch.
Our Foundation and Portfolio courses attract students from a wide range of backgrounds, and with a range of qualifications. If you have any questions about your qualifications and whether they fit, please contact our Registry team on 01432 273359 or email registry@hca.ac.uk

College Road Campus, Main Building front on
College Road Campus, Main Building front on

Visit us

While you will get a chance to see the campus at your interview, Open Evenings are a great way of finding out more about the course, and meetings some of the students you will be joining with. If you just want to explore the campus and workshops, course teams may be able to arrange a personal campus tour. Email course lead Darren Williams (D.Williams@hca.ac.uk) for availability.

Read more

Other information

As a Portfolio student at HCA, you will benefit from being based at a degree-level institution. You will have full access to the degree campus workshops and digital studios, as well being part of occasional workshops or masterclasses taught by degree staff.

If you want to continue on to study your degree at HCA, you will able apply directly and bypass the UCAS application process. You will also be eligible for a £500 Internal Progression bursary.

Portfolio students aged 19 and over may qualify to apply for an Advanced Learning Loan. 

These loans pay for tuition fees charged by the College and are available from the Student Loans Company. To qualify, household income is not taken into account and learners will not have to pay anything back until their income is above the repayment threshold. For more information including repayment and how to apply, please visit www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan

Find out more about Advanced Learning Loans.

A Foundation diploma is an excellent way of building your portfolio and broadening your experience as an artist or designers. For many students this process really shapes what and where they decide to study next.

A Foundation diploma is also a great way of adding to your UCAS points. A Distinction grade will give you 112 UCAS points, a Merit 96 and a Pass 80 - if you are considering applying to Higher Education after the course

Start your application now

You can get your application started online today. Use the button below to complete a five-minute online registration process, and start your application now.

Apply online

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