UCAS Students: Art and design

There are two routes into art and design

There are two ways to apply for art and design courses - Route A and Route B. Applications for courses in Route A follow the same procedures as for non-art and design courses. Route B courses follow a different timetable and a different application process.

Some courses are listed as both Route A and Route B - the course is the same, whichever route you apply through, but the university or college may prefer that you apply through one particular route. Route B course codes always begin or end with an 'E'.

Route A courses

For Route A courses, you can list up to five choices in alphabetical order. We will send your application to each of your choices at the same time. We must receive your application between September 2007 and 15 January 2008. However, we recommend you apply by mid-November to allow the universities and colleges more time to ask to see your portfolio.

If you want to apply to the Fine Art course in Route A at the Ruskin School of Fine Art, Oxford, we must receive your form by 15 October 2007. You must also submit an Oxford application by 15 October 2007 and a portfolio of artwork by 15 November 2007. You can get more information from the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, 74 High Street, Oxford OX1 4BG.

View the Route A application flowchart

Route B courses

Route B allows time for applicants studying a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) to identify their specialisation and prepare their portfolio, although anyone can apply for a Route B course.

For Route B courses, you can list up to three choices in preference order. We must receive your application between September 2007 and 24 March 2008, but we recommend that you apply by 7 March 2008 to avoid the last-minute rush. You will be asked to indicate your first choice, second choice and third choice.

We will send your application to your first choice, which will decide whether to invite you for an interview and then whether to make you an offer. If you decide to accept the offer, we will cancel your other choices. If you turn down the offer, or you do not receive an offer, we will send your application to your second choice, and so on. We will start sending Route B applications to first choice universities and colleges from 12 February 2008. If we receive your application after this date, we will send it to your first choice as soon as we have processed it.

View the Route B application flowchart

A mixture of Route A and Route B courses

Route A and Route B choices are entered on the same application - you can only have one application each year. You can apply for a mixture with up to a total of five choices. You cannot choose more than three Route B courses. If you choose five Route A courses, you cannot have any Route B courses. The following examples show the combinations of choices that are allowed.

3 Route B + up to 2 Route A

2 Route B + up to 3 Route A

1 Route B + up to 4 Route A

If you are studying for a Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design) you need to identify the specialisation you want to make and then prepare your portfolio. This means that you may not be ready to choose a Route B course until after 15 January. If you decide to apply for a mixture of Route A and Route B courses, you can apply for Route A between 1 September and 15 January and then add your Route B choices later but before 24 March.

View the application flowchart for both Route A and Route B

When you make your initial application, you will be asked if you want to apply for Route B courses later. If your answer is 'YES', you will be able to add your Route B choices later directly into Track. You will also be able to change your personal statement so that it is specific to your Route B choices. Please note that an amended personal statement will replace your original personal statement at all of your choices.

If you enter your Route A and Route B choices on your initial application, you will not be able to amend your personal statement at a later date.