16 How To Apply For Higher Education Applications through UCAS involve choosing up to five art and design courses in no order of preference, regardless of the application deadline date. Institutions allocate either a 15 January or 24 March deadline for art and design courses; you can find out the deadline for each course on UCAS Course Search. Students will be notified of their interview dates through UCAS Track. You should alert yourself to all the detailed course entry requirements ( including interview and portfolio advice) by making use of Entry Profiles - also available through UCAS Course Search ( see page 13). It can be difficult to enter a degree, foundation degree or HND course in art and design straight from school. Most successful applicants have completed a college- based preparatory course, such as an art foundation diploma course, a BTEC National qualification or a double award A level in applied art and design. A good portfolio of work is important. You can also progress to a degree course from a foundation degree or HND. A popular route for degree courses is to take one or more A levels ( or equivalent) followed by an art foundation diploma course. This will be offered at your local art college, college of further education or HE institution. Competition for places is tough, so apply early. Closing dates will vary, but it is strongly recommended that you obtain course details, check your financial situation and prepare your application and portfolio in the autumn term of the second year of your advanced level course. Music Students wishing to study for a practice- based music course at one or more of the seven major music conservatoires should use the online application system, CUKAS. ' On- time' applications received between 1 July and 1 October should have a decision by 5 January: decisions about later applications will be after this date dependant upon when the application is made. CUKAS applicants can also use Extra, Clearing and Track systems. See www. cukas. ac. uk Art and design applications

17 Key ? - Most/ many courses ? - A few courses DEGREES ( Except Art & Design - see below) Apply online to UCAS, between 1 September and 15 January in the academic year prior to entry. N. B. Oxford and Cambridge universities, and degree courses in medicine, veterinary science and dentistry have an earlier closing date of 15 October in the academic year prior to entry. Applicant enquiries 0871 468 0468. ? FOUNDATION DEGREES HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMAS ( Except Art & Design) A few foundation degrees and HNDs may require direct application to the college. The UCAS system includes most HE courses in colleges of further education. ? COURSEOTHER SYSTEMS UCASDIRECT APPROACH FURTHER INFORMATION ? DIPLOMAS OF HIGHER EDUCATION A few courses may require direct application. ? ? ART & DESIGN Degrees, foundation degrees and HNDs Apply to UCAS ( see above) except for a very few courses which may require a direct application to the college. Course closing dates will be either 15 January or 24 March. You are advised to apply well before the deadline date. See page 16 for more details. ? ? ACCOUNTANCY Degrees Professional coursesUsually by direct application. ? JOURNALISM Degrees Pre- entry courses Apply to the National Council for the Training of Journalists, The New Granary, Station Road, Newport, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3PL Tel: 01799 544014 www. nctj. com Apply as early as possible - at least six weeks prior to entry. Send an s. a. e. ? ? ? MUSICUCAS deals with applications for degree courses at universities and colleges of HE. CUKAS deals with courses at the seven major music conservatoires. See page 16 for details. ? ? ? ? How To Apply For Higher Education