How to apply

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 find out more about applying to our post-16 courses here, and our foundation diploma courses here. 
• Undergraduate Degrees: to start a course in September 2025, you can register on UCAS from May 2024, and send in completed applications from 3 September 2024. If you are already a student with us, studying your diploma at our post-16 campus, you can apply directly to us. Find out more here. Find out more here. 
• Masters degrees: You can apply to one of our masters courses at any point in the academic cycle. More information on how to apply here. 

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. City Heart Living also run an 'Open House' event during the summer.

Or you can reserve your room online through the City Heart Living website here.

Please note: Station Approach do not take applications for accommodation until March, regardless of when you have received your offer. 

• Undergraduate degrees: If you have applied through UCAS, you can accept your offer by logging into UCAS. If you have applied to other institutions through UCAS, you can wait to see if you receive other offers before replying, 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 by following the instructions in the email. 
• Postgraduate degrees: We will contact you with our offer, and you can accept it immediately by following the instructions in the email. 
• Post 16 courses, and Foundation/Portfolio: We will contact you with our offer, and you can accept it immediately by following the instructions in the email. 

Yes, you can apply for more than one course. Many of our students have talents and interests than span multiple disciplines.

All our courses are open ended, and with open access workshops, you have the opportunity to explore a wide range of interests. 

We would advise that you apply to the courses that you are interested in and then, via interview or portfolio submission & review process, the tutors will be able to help you narrow down your choice and discover which course is best suited to your talents and interests. We are also happy to arrange advisory interviews prior to submitting your application to help you decide. Please don’t hesitate to contact registry@hca.ac.uk if you would like to explore this.

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.