Applications for art and design courses in Britain and Northern Ireland must be made through UCAS, the British central applications body. There are two application routes - route A and route B. Both routes are of equal status - the division is a historical legacy.

Students applying through route A must have their application in by December 15th. Applicants may list up to six choices in section 3 of the application form in UCAS handbook order. If you are applying through route B, the application dates are between January 1st, 1998, and March 24th, 1998. Up to four choices may be made and, again, these should be listed in section 3 in the order in which courses appear in the UCAS handbook.

Just to further confuse you, you may apply through both routes. A total of six colleges/courses may be selected but with a maximum of four in route B. Your British and Northern Ireland counterparts will have completed A levels and a year's art foundation course. Thus, they will be older and may have more developed portfolios. The advantage of going via route B is that it will allow you more time to build up your portfolio.