How to Apply

Your Higher Education journey starts with your application. It’s a process that’s designed to be quick and easy, but we’re always happy to offer additional support for those who need it.

Below you’ll find the typical steps to securing your place on your chosen course. Due to the demand for our courses, we’d like to remind people that it’s important to apply early to avoid disappointment when certain routes become oversubscribed.

Ahead of applying, we recommend all applicants take some time to read our Admissions Policy.

Step 1 – Choose

The first step is to choose your course. We have a growing number of pathways to choose from, so we’d always encourage you to check out a few to make sure that the one you select best suits you and your ambitions.

Begin by browsing our full range of programmes, visiting one of our open days and choosing the course that best suits you and your ambitions. You should also check the level and entry requirements because we provide Level 4 and 5 qualifications, including HNCs, HNDs and Foundation Degrees.

Please note that each course page includes its fee. You can find out more information on this by reading our Fees Policy.

If at this stage you need any more advice then contact the college on 0161 643 7560 and speak to a member of our Careers Team.

Step 2 – Apply

A) for Part-Time Courses

You can apply online at our website for part-time courses. It’s quick, easy and secure. Application forms are also available on request.

We’ll confirm your application by text and by email and invite you to an interview with a course tutor to make sure that you are suited to the course and, more importantly, that the course is suited to you. The interview will also give you the chance to see the college, meet the staff and have your questions answered.

B) for Full-Time Courses

If you are applying for a full-time course then this will typically be completed through UCAS. Please note that the 2026 UCAS deadline is 6pm on 14 January 2026. However, we still encourage applications after this date and continue to make offers to applicants.

Types of full-time applicants:

• Students currently at a school/college registered with UCAS

All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students’ applications. Complete an online application and submit it to your teacher/careers advisor. After checking your details, and adding the academic reference, your school/college submits the application online to UCAS.

• Mature applicants in the UK who are not at school or college.

Mature applicants are advised to consult careers organisations for help and advice or contact one of our advisors. You are responsible for paying the correct application fee, for obtaining the academic reference, and for submitting the completed application online to UCAS.

Levels / UCAS Points Explained

When you choose to study Higher Education with us, you’ll be undertaking a nationally recognised HE qualification. No matter which course you choose, the experience has the potential to lead to a much larger amount of employment and education opportunities.

Entry criteria explained

You’ll generally need to have completed a Level 3 qualification (such as a BTEC, T-Level, A-Levels or Access course) to be accepted onto your chosen pathway, with some courses specifying a certain number of UCAS points for entry.

For instance, D*D*D* at BTEC will provide you with 168 points, whereas three A*s at A-Level will give you the same amount.

Depending on your chosen course, you might be able to apply direct through our website. This is typically for part-time courses. However, for full-time courses you’ll need to apply through UCAS.

Levels explained

A Higher Education course is any pathway that provides you with a qualification that’s Level 4 or higher. At Hopwood, you can earn a coveted Level 4, 5 or 6 qualification.

Level 4 qualifications

A Level 4 qualification takes one year to complete full-time or two years part-time and is indicative of a high level of learning as it advances on Further Education.

This includes a HNC qualification, which upon completion can usually allow progress onto a Higher National Diploma (HND) in the same field.

Level 5 qualifications

A Level 5 qualification advances on from a Level 4. It is the equivalent to the second year of study at degree level and usually lasts between one and three years depending on if you’re studying full-time or part-time.

HND courses and Foundation Degree pathways are both Level 5 qualifications. In addition, a Foundation Degree is designed to enable students to the gain the formal qualifications needed to enrol onto a degree level programme.

Level 6 qualifications

A Level 6 degree advances on from a Level 5 and is the equivalent of the third year of study at degree level.

Apply Through Clearing

At Hopwood Hall College, you’ll find life-changing Higher Education opportunities – and it’s not too late to get started.

As a student you can expect expert tutors, industry-leading facilities and small class sizes where you can thrive. It’s the perfect set-up to ensure you are able to flourish during your studies and boost your earnings potential by opening up amazing new career opportunities.

It’s not too late to secure a place on your chosen course for September 2025. Whether you’ve changed your mind on your current offer, are a late applicant or simply want to explore the opportunities available to you then we’d love to hear from you.

We offer a wide range of Access and Higher Education, including Level 4, 5 and 6 qualifications. Be sure to check out out full offering HERE.

Register Your Interest

Please complete the below form and we’ll be in touch to discuss your options.