Study a Post 16 course

Name: Hereford College of Arts
Price range: $

Make your mark on the world with a post-16 diploma course that gives you a unique portfolio of industry-relevant creative skills and real-life experience - supported by passionate teachers.

Music student playing guitar in a live show. Shot on film with studio lighting. Student concentrating intensely.

On our diploma courses you learn through doing what you love.

All our courses are closely connected to, and informed by, the creative industries through staff, real-life projects and former students. You will be able to take advantage of an outstanding range of specialist workshops, studios and up-to-the-minute industry software and equipment to explore the creative disciplines - and interdisciplinary collaborations - that are most interesting to you.

Student learning to use a wooden loom in the textiles workshops

As an HCA student, you will be doing it for real.

You will build your understanding, and confidence through supported, real-life projects. While you will still need to work to deadlines, and produce high-quality work, assessment will be on what you do, not how well you sit an exam. Get incredible first-hand insight from practicing artists, designers and performers, and build a foundation for your own exciting career in the fast-growing creative sector.

Series of nine blue and white prints mounted on a wall for an exhibition.

View through an internal window of a student and parent looking at work in an art exhibition on campus

Learners produce work of a very high standard and clearly demonstrate in-depth knowledge, understanding and creative skills often beyond their level of study. As a result, learners are well prepared for their next steps.
Ofsted report, 2023

Join a community you can make your own.

No two artists are the same because no two people are the same. That difference is in part what makes our community so dynamic and so welcoming. Culture extends outside the studios, and we are proud of HCA’s vibrant student community - from trips and gigs to activism and societies, and a campus cafe that students actually want to spend their lunchtimes in.

Post-16 featured news

Alumni
Awards

HCA Alumnus James Price wins Oscar

1 min read time

A tutor helping students in a class setting

Awards

We’re highly rated- and here’s why

2 mins read time

People enjoying HCA's 2023 showcase of work

Events
Degree Show

College Showcase demonstrates incredible talent across campus

1 min read time

Awards

Hereford College of Arts is now OUTSTANDING

4 mins read time

Foundation
Q&A

UAL Awarding body publishes Q&A with Vice Principal following outstanding Ofsted report

1 min read time

People looking at blacksmithing creations in a church

Events

Ferrous 24 – an international festival of artist blacksmithing returns

2 mins read time

Hear from Post-16 students

It’s a very safe place to try new stuff, which is really important. You’ve got the Mac suite to learn recording software, and the theatre is a professional space for performance where we can put on shows for people from outside the college.
May - Music Performance and Production

It’s been really, really brilliant. I enjoy doing rotations in all the different studios - doing ceramics, doing zine-making. I like working with clients as well - working on little side-projects.
Alex - Art, Design and Communication

Industry standard workshops and studios

This is where you make your ideas happen. You will have access to up-to-the-minute software, and the professional kit and spaces you need to really master your craft and move between disciplines.

Spaces and resources