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Guide to applying

It's not too late to join UAL this October.

We have a limited number of places available on some undergraduate courses now starting in October. If you haven’t secured a place, if you’ve changed your mind or perhaps you’ve not received the results you were hoping for, Clearing is an opportunity to find the right course for you.

This guide provides tips on how to apply through UCAS to join UAL this October, including information on the Clearing and Adjustment process.

If you have any questions about the Clearing process after reading this guide, you can email us at clearing@arts.ac.uk. Due to high volumes of enquiries, it may take up to 48 hours to receive reply.

You’ll also be able to chat to us online from 8am on results day (13 August).

Our application process is not currently affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. However, UAL is following the latest advice from the Public Health England (PHE), the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), and the World Health Organisation (WHO). As the situation develops, we will continue to update our web pages, so we recommend that you check our website regularly for the latest advice and guidance.

If you’re an international student, you should make a direct application to UAL. Find a course with places available for international students and scroll to ‘How to apply’. We recommend applying early to give yourself sufficient time to organise your Tier 4 (General) visa and a secure English language test (SELT) if necessary.

Applying through Clearing

Clearing opens on 6 July 2020 and you can make an application to us for courses that still have places available. We’ll be able to consider your application and make you an indicative offer. If you’re still waiting for results, we’ll confirm your offer on results day.

Step 1. Choose your course

Step 2. Self-apply

  • Complete our self-apply form so we can consider your application. You’ll find the link to the form on your chosen course page.
  • As part of self-applying, you may need to upload a digital portfolio of your work. This can be via Flickr or your own website.

Step 3. On results day

  • If you’ve already completed a self-apply form and received an indicative offer, your offer will be confirmed on results day.
  • If you haven’t self-applied in advance, you can do this on results day. Just complete the self-apply form from the link on our course pages or contact us via our Live Chat if you need help.

Step 4. Update UCAS Track

  • If your application is successful and you’re offered a place, you’ll need to add your course choice onto UCAS Track. We’ll let you know when to do this.
  • If you haven’t already made a UCAS application this year, you’ll need to register your details and make an application on the UCAS website.
  • Once your offer has been confirmed through UCAS, you’ll receive information by email about enrolment and starting your course.

Step 5. Update your funding

  • If you have applied for funding from Student Finance England, Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI) or Student Finance Wales (SFW), you will need to inform them as soon as possible about your change of university and/or course via your online account.
  • If you have not yet applied for any funding, and you plan to do this, you should do so immediately.

Changing your mind

  • If you have an offer at another university but want to study at UAL, you should first contact the institution your offer is with.
  • If you have a place at UAL but want to change course, it might be possible to swap to a course that is open for Clearing applications.
  • If you've met and exceeded the conditions of your firm offer, you may be able to find an alternative course through Adjustment. UAL considers applicants through Adjustment for any of our courses that are in Clearing.
  • More about Clearing

    Explore courses with places available and find out how to apply for accommodation.

  • Term dates 2020/21

    Due to Covid-19, we have made the decision to delay the start of 2020/21 academic year. The Autumn term will now begin on 19 October.

  • UCAS Clearing guidance  

    For more guidance on the Clearing application process, visit the UCAS website.