How to apply

When can I apply?

Full-time courses usually start in August/September and January. You'll find information on the start date on the course page.

If your course starts in January, online applications open in October and close at the end of January.

If your course starts in August/September, online applications open in October and will stay open until September or/until a course is full.

For some courses, we’ll ask you to submit a portfolio as part of the entry requirements.

Please contact admissions.ic@uhi.ac.uk if would like further information about availability of places.

I am a current student. How do I apply to progress to the next level?

If you are looking to continue your studies and progress to the next level of course in your subject area, you don't need to re-apply.

Further education students (SCQF 1-6) will receive an Intention to Progress form from their PDA or a member of the course team. Students can complete this from between January and April.

Higher education students (SCQF 7-12) will receive a 'Haste Ye Back' email in February from the Student Records team asking them if they wish to continue with their studies, subject to meeting progression conditions.

Course teams meet at a Progression Board at the end of June to decide on eligibility of students to progress.  Progressing students will be notified of the course team’s decision thereafter. 

How to write your personal statement

The personal statement is an opportunity for you to explain why you want to do the course you have applied for and show why you are suitable. Your personal statement is used to help us understand more about your reasons for applying, your skills and experience. This statement might be used by the interviewer for your course to help them ask questions that are personal to you.

Your choice of course

Think about why you are applying for your chosen course - why does this subject interest you?

Why do you think you're suitable for the course – do your current or previous studies relate to the course that you have chosen or have you taken part in any other activities that demonstrate your interest in the course?

Your interests

• Think about what things you enjoy doing and are passionate about:
• Are you a practical person, do you enjoy making things, cooking or baking, fixing things that aren’t working – give examples?
• Are you inquisitive? Do you enjoy finding out about things - how they work, enjoy learning about history or politics, reading novels or searching the web?
• Are you a member of any clubs or sports teams? Are you involved with any projects in your local community?

Your skills

Think about any additional skills you might have that could relate to the course and attributes that make you interesting, special or unique:

• Are you creative or have a hidden talent - play a musical instrument, take part in sports, enjoy musical theatre, draw or paint, enjoy writing, or take photographs in your spare time?
• Do you have managerial skills – do you organise or look after any groups, control a budget or look after staff or finances?
• Are you compassionate – are you a carer for someone? Have you ever raised money for a charity?
• Are you multi-lingual – if you speak more than one language this should definitely be included!

Achievements

Remember and include any other achievements you’re proud of, positions of responsibility that you hold or have held both in and out of school.

Work experience

Also include details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your chosen course. Try to link any experience to skills or qualities related to the course.

Your aspirations

And finally, if you know what you’d like to do after completing the course – whether it’s to further study or employment, explain how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain.

If you have any questions regarding your personal statement, please contact admissions.ic@uhi.ac.uk

 

Guidelines for students invited to attend interview

Please note, face to face interviews have been suspended for applicants and, in most cases, we will be making decisions based on paper application only. In a small number of cases, a portfolio of work/ interview may be necessary and, if so, this will be facilitated online.

Your interview is not just about us asking you questions, it is your opportunity to find out more information.  For example, during the interview process you can be given lots of useful information about college life, funding, additional support available and an overview of your course choice.

Before the interview

Get yourself organised!

Make sure you have the correct date/time for the interview, that you know where to report and give yourself sufficient time to get to college.

Take along any items asked for such as the letter inviting you to interview, qualifications, birth certificate etc.

Do your homework!

Do some research into the subject you have applied for.  Think about career paths you would like to pursue and questions you would like to ask about the course.  Your interview will give you an opportunity to talk in more detail and depth about yourself, interests and ambitions.    Remember the adage:  Prior planning prevents poor performance.

First impressions count!

Give some thought to your appearance as well as what you are going to say at interview.  Looking smart shows you have made an effort to give a good impression.

If you are going to be late or can’t make your interview call the college beforehand to let us know 01463 273000.

On the day

Make sure you give yourself enough time to get to the college.   If you are going to be late try to call us as soon as possible on 01463 273000.

As part of the interview process you may be required to undertake an IT based activity to assess your core skill levels, a group activity or a piece of written work.

The interview provide an opportunity for the lecturer to get to know you better and means we are able to make sure you are offered a place on the right course for you.

Always treat your interviewer with courtesy and manners.  Make eye contact, it shows you’re listening.  If more than one person is interviewing you, make sure you are looking at the person asking that question.

The interviewer will be looking for :

• An interest in the course for which you are applying
• A positive attitude which indicates you will be a committed student
• Motivation to work hard
• That you have chosen a course appropriate for your career plans.

Listen to the interview questions carefully.  If you don’t understand a question, ask for it to be repeated. Try to avoid yes and no answers – give as much information as you can.

What may I be asked about?

• Your reasons for applying to college
• What interests you about the course/s you have applied for
• What you have enjoyed about school, what went well and what didn’t go so well
• Extra curricular activities, post/s of responsibility, hobbies, interests, part time jobs, clubs and societies you belong to
• Work experience
• How you did in your prelims

You may also be asked a further question which is course specific, so make sure that you follow the advice given above and do some researching before you arrive.

You will also find out more about:-

• Course content
• How you will be assessed
• Duration of the course
• The qualification you will receive at the end of the course and any opportunities for further study

Act naturally, don’t exaggerate, answer questions honestly and frankly, but do make sure the interviewer is aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

At the end of the interview thank the interviewer for their time.

After the interview

You will be informed in writing of the outcome of your interview within 2 weeks of your interview.

I would like to change the course I applied for, what should I do?

You can change your course choice by logging into the Student Hub and amending the course choice. Once you have made your changes and resubmitted your application, you will receive an automated email advising you of your conditional offer for your chosen course.

I have applied for a course. What happens next?

Once you have submitted your application you will receive an acknowledgement by email. This will contain details of the course you applied for, how to monitor the progress of your application and also contact details if you have any questions or queries.

If your application has been successful you will then be given either a conditional or unconditional offer. A conditional offer means you must obtain further qualifications or meet certain criteria before you are accepted. An unconditional offer means that you have been accepted onto the courses and are guaranteed a place.

If your application is unsuccessful we will also let you know. We will endeavour to offer a suitable alternative where available.  In instances where we are unable to offer a suitable alternative, we encourage you to get back in touch with student.support.ic@uhi.ac.uk and a member of the team will review your career aims and discuss options with you. 

For some of our courses, you will be required to attend an interview before an offer is made. Certain courses may also require you to attend an audition, complete an assessment or bring a portfolio of your work.  Remember to tell the college if you require any special arrangements to be in place when you attend.

To prevent disappointment, if you have been offered a place through UCAS, you need to accept it as soon as possible.

Your application is very important to us and we are still processing applications as normal, but please be aware there may be a delay in receiving a response from us. We will keep you as up to date as possible with the progress of your application.

Our admissions and curriculum teams consider and process all applications.   As a general guide, you will either notified of a decision or invited to interview as below:-

• By 31st March for applications submitted up to 15th January
• By 30th April for applications submitted up to 28th February
• By 31st May for applications submitted up to 31st March
• By 30th June for applications submitted up to 30th April
• By 18th July for applications submitted up to 31st May

Please note that any applications submitted after 31st May will be considered if places are available. You will be notified of the outcome by mid-August, after exam results have been issued.

Please get in touch with admissions.ic@uhi.ac.uk if you have submitted an application and you have not received feedback within the timescale outlined above. 

Funding your studies

You may apply for funding after you receive an offer of a place

If you have been offered a place on an FE course, we will be touch to provide further information on when and how to apply for funding.   

The new Student Information Scotland website brings together both FE and HE in the one place for the first time.  It includes a budget calculator and a funding checker, so not only does it tell students, their parents / carers, how much they may need, it also provides an estimate on how much funding they could potentially receive.

If you have applied for an HE course, please visit the SAAS website for full details on how and when to apply for funding.

Some courses have additional costs for kit or uniform which you will be required to be paid once you have accepted a place. 

Students on some courses, such as care, require are required to apply for the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) membership scheme, which is managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. Further Education and Higher National Certificate/Diploma students have the cost of the PVG application paid by the college. Degree students are required to pay £59 or £18 depending on the type of disclosure record required.

Find out more about fees and funding.

Changes to courses

On a rare occasion, courses may be subject to alteration or cancellation. When a course is cancelled we will contact you to discuss suitable alternatives.