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How to apply
We offer a wide range of creative undergraduate degrees in subjects as varied as architecture, film, fashion, fine art and many more.
If you're keen to deepen your creative understanding, all the information you need to apply is here.
The process for applying varies depending on whether you are student from the UK or an international country. Click on the correct section below to find out more.
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Application webinars
Join our online webinars to find out more about applying to UCA, writing your personal statement and putting together your portfolio.
1. Apply
For all undergraduate degree courses, including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year and/or a Professional Practice Year you will need to complete an application form via ucas.com.
You will need the course code which you can find on our course pages, the institution name which is UCA, the institution code is C93, and campus codes which are C, E, F and M (for Maidstone TV Studios).
You can submit your UCAS application, from mid-September, the year before your course begins and we guarantee to consider your application if you apply by the UCAS equal consideration date (which is 13 January for 2027 entry) but we usually still have places available after this date.
UCAS makes background information available to us when they send us your application – this is called contextual data. We will not use this information when making a decision about whether or not to offer you a place at UCA.
If you are only applying to UCA, you can use the direct application forms on our course pages.
2. Your application
Once you apply UCAS will acknowledge your application and forward it to us. You can track the progress of your application through UCAS Track.
You’ll also receive an email from us with your username and password for the UCA Applicant Portal, which you can use to check the status of your application and access all the information you’ll need through your applicant journey.
Disability and wellbeing support
If you have a disability or additional learning need please tell us when you apply. It’s really important that we know what support you may need from the outset, whether it’s assistance with your application, help with funding or helping you settle in when you start with us.
3. Create a portfolio
Your course might require a portfolio – we’ll send you specific requirements after you’ve applied. There is detailed information about what we would like to see in your portfolio in our portfolio advice section.
Our key tips for your portfolio are:
- Lead with your show-stopping pieces
- Show us how you think – document your ideas in a sketchbook
- Present examples of your research that show idea development
- Let your personality shine through and tell us what or who inspires you
4. Come to your applicant day
If you’re based in the UK, we will then invite you to an Applicant Day, this may include a portfolio review, audition and/or a meeting with your course team.
You’ll also learn more about your course and campus, view student work, and gain all the information you need and want about life at UCA. We’ll send you details on these events through the applicant portal.
If you would prefer not to attend an Applicant Day you will be able to submit your portfolio digitally.
5. Your offer
If your application is successful, you’ll receive an offer email from us that explains the full terms and conditions of your offer (you’ll also be able to find this on the UCA Applicant Portal).
Remember - if your offer is conditional, you’ll need to provide evidence of meeting the conditions before you join. We’ll let you know how to do this.
6. Accept your offer
If you applied via UCAS, you will need to accept your offer by logging into your UCAS Hub.
If you applied directly, you can accept you offer using the task in your UCA Applicant Portal.
7. Apply for accommodation
As soon as you can apply for accommodation, we’ll contact you to let you know.
This is usually in March for courses starting in September.
For more information about the options available, please see our accommodation pages
8. Apply for a student loan
Depending on where you live within the UK, will depend on the finance you can apply for, see links below England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
There are two types of loans the Tuition Fee Loan, which will cover the full amount of your fees. The amount you receive doesn’t depend on your household income.
There is a also a Maintenance Loan which you can apply for a loan to help you pay your living costs. How much you can get will depend on your household income as well as where you choose to live and study.
To ensure that funding is in place for the beginning of the academic year you should make an application as soon as possible.
To apply, visit:
- gov.uk/student-finance (England),
- Student Awards Agency Scotland SAAS (Scotland)
- Student Finance Wales (Wales)
- Student Finance ni (Northern Ireland)
Key application dates
September 2027 entry:
- 13 January 2027 - UCAS equal consideration deadline for applications
- January - March 2027 - UCA Applicant Days
- 25 February 2027 - UCAS Extra opens
- 1 July 2027 - UCAS Extra closes
- 2 July 2027 - Clearing opens
1. Apply
As an international student you can apply using UCAS or directly to UCA.
If you are applying to more than one university in the UK, then you should apply to us through UCAS, you will need the course code which you can find on our , the institution name which is UCA, the institution code is C93, and campus codes which are C, E, F and M (for Maidstone TV Studios).
You can submit your UCAS application, from mid-September, the year before your course begins and we guarantee to consider your application if you apply by the UCAS equal consideration date (which is 13 January for 2027 entry) but we usually still have places available after this date.
If you are only applying to UCA you can apply directly to the course using the direct application forms on each of the course pages.
There is a link for each course including courses with an Integrated Foundation Year and/or a Professional Practice Year.
Most international applicants apply directly to UCA. The benefits of applying directly to us are:
- There is no application fee (up to £24 via UCAS).
- You are not impacted by the ‘equal consideration’ early deadline that UCAS set. We do however encourage you to apply as soon as possible so you have enough time to organise your student visa (if you need one) and to apply for accommodation.
- There are no ‘declined by default’ deadlines.
- You can track your application through our online ‘Applicant Portal’.
2. Your application
Once you apply we will acknowledge your application and you’ll receive an email from us with your username and password for the UCA Applicant Portal, which you can use to check the status of your application and access all the information you’ll need through your applicant journey.
Disability and wellbeing support
If you have a disability or additional learning need please tell us when you apply. It’s really important that we know what support you may need from the outset, whether it’s assistance with your application, help with funding or helping you settle in when you start with us.
3. Create a portfolio
Your course might require a portfolio or an audition – we’ll send you specific requirements after you’ve applied.
There is detailed information about what we would like to see in our portfolio advice section.
Our key tips for your portfolio are:
- Lead with your show-stopping pieces
- Show us how you think – document your ideas in a sketchbook
- Present examples of your research that show idea development
- Let your personality shine through and tell us what or who inspires you
4. Your offer
If your application is successful, you’ll receive an offer email from us that explains the full terms and conditions of your offer (you’ll also be able to find this on the UCA Applicant Portal).
You will need to accept your offer to be able to apply for a student visa.
If you applied via UCAS, you will need to accept your offer by logging into your UCAS Hub.
If you applied directly, you can accept you offer using the task in your UCA Applicant Portal.
5. Apply for a student visa
Before you can apply for your student visa, you will need to request a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number from us. This is proof that you have been accepted to study a course at UCA and you will need to enter your CAS number on your visa application. You will not be able to submit your visa application without a CAS number.
Once you have received and firmly accepted your unconditional offer, you will be invited to create your account on CAS Shield. You will be able to upload copies of all supporting documents required to CAS shield, before we can assign a CAS for you.
There is more detailed information about applying for a student visa on our Visa and Immigration pages
6. Apply for accommodation
As soon as you can apply for accommodation, we’ll contact you to let you know.
This is usually in March for courses starting in September.
For more information about the options available, please see our accommodation pages
Key application dates
September 2027 entry:
- 20 August 2027 - Application deadline
- 3 September 2027 - Deposit deadline
- 3 September 2027 - CAS request deadline
Application deadlines
The deadline to make your application will depend on if you apply directly to UCA or via UCAS:
UK students
September 2027 entry:
- 13 January 2027 - UCAS equal consideration deadline for applications
- January - March 2027 - UCA Applicant Days
- 25 February 2027 - UCAS Extra opens
- 1 July 2027 - UCAS Extra closes
- 2 July 2027 - Clearing opens
International students
September 2027 entry:
- 20 August 2027 - Application deadline
- 3 September 2027 - Deposit deadline
- 3 September 2027 - CAS request deadline
How do UCAS points work?
UCAS tariff points are a way of converting each of your grades into a numerical score.
The points for each grade are then added together to give you an overall score. You’ll need a score that is equal to or higher than the points stated in the degree entry requirements.
Level 3 qualifications (such as A Levels and BTECs) carry UCAS points, providing a simple way to compare different qualifications and grade combinations.
UCA undergraduate courses use UCAS points as part of the entry requirements. Requirements can be found on the course webpages. Most will specify the required point total, but some may also mention specific grades or subjects required.
The UCAS website has a really useful tariff calculator, but below you’ll see the UCAS points for some common qualifications:
A Levels
- A*: 56 points
- A: 48 points
- B: 40 points
- C: 32 points
- D: 24 points
- E: 16 points
BTEC Level 3 Nationals (Extended Diploma)
- D* D* D*: 168 points
- D* D* D: 160 points
- D* D D: 152 points
- D D D: 144 points
- D D M: 128 points
- D M M: 112 points
- M M M: 96 points
T Levels
- Distinction: 144 points
- Merit: 120 points
- Pass (C or above in the core): 96 points
- Pass (D or E in the core): 72 points
Example of calculating your UCAS points
The points for each of your qualifications is added together to create a total score. For example:
- A Level Art: B (40 points)
- A Level English: C (32 points)
- A Level Photography: A (48 points)
- Total UCAS Tariff points: 120 points
You would then check the entry requirements for your chosen course to see if 120 points meets the criteria.
Start your application
Contact admissions
If you have any questions about the admissions process or your application, please contact the relevant admissions team:
UK students
- Phone: +44 (0) 1252 892960
- Email: admissions@uca.ac.uk
International students
- Phone: + 44 (0) 1252 892838
- Email: internationaladmissions@uca.ac.uk