Our Story
We are the Open College of the Arts. An open access, distance learning provider of higher education courses based in Barnsley, UK.
We were created by Michael Young in 1987, one of the founders of The Open University, to offer high quality arts courses as a means to transform lives, with the opportunity to develop and express creative talents under the guidance of experienced artists.
An OCA qualification, be that a degree, Certificate or Diploma in Higher Education, or undergraduate degree, can be a huge achievement for many and opens the doors to new careers, or new lifestyles built around the arts.
Over 2000 people study with us every year as part of a truly global community representing 67 nationalities worldwide on 13 degree programmes and two Masters. We reach people in every walk of life, with over 50% of our students having a declared disability, and many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and with no qualifications.
Our students come from every walk of life imaginable, fitting work, family, caring responsibilities and everything else alongside study and more besides.
OCA’s community consists of students, practitioners and tutors working together, offering encouragement, creative criticism, hints, tips, insights and ideas. A community invested time, running events, social media groups, meet-ups in places as diverse as London and Glasgow, Newport and Scunthorpe, you’ll feel at home as part of the OCA.
A New Direction for OCA
In August 2023 become part of the The Open University. We were established by Michael Young, one of the founders of The Open University, in 1987 after his colleagues told him that practical arts and design could not be taught at a distance. The Open University shares with OCA a common heritage and mission to open doors for those in society who have a desire to learn but not the means.
Together we plan to build on our mission, providing new avenues into arts education and developing a relevant and ambitious curriculum. Through OCA The Open University can access and develop a burgeoning arts curriculum, and through The Open University OCA gains access to an innovator and leader in distance learning education and support.
The Open University is a global leader in higher education which has pioneered distance learning for over 50 years, delivering exceptional teaching and outstanding support to students across the UK and the world. From its inception, The Open University has been a movement and not just a university. Open to people, places, methods and ideas, The Open University enables thousands of people every year to take their first – or further – steps into higher education and to achieve the highest standards of academic and professional excellence. It has strong relationships with employers, professional bodies and key industries and is recognised for its world-leading research that is advancing knowledge and improving lives.
Our Mission
Our charitable mission is to be at the forefront of student-led creative arts education through open, enhanced, and supported distance learning, for an evolving society.
Value for Money
As required by the Office for Students (OfS) to demonstrate value for money, this statement outlines our approach and how we ensure it.
-
The changes that were made are:
- Publication of the Student Voice Strategy.
- Details of the OCA Strategy, and Learning and Teaching Strategy added.
- Removal of section titled ‘OCA is Changing’.
- Amended reference to proportion of OCA students with a listed disability from 20% to 50%.
-
The changes that were made are:
- OCA Values document was added.
Contact Us
Have a question about the OCA, or our range of creative arts courses? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Click here