Study an online Graphic Design degree with OCA

Do you find yourself appreciating typography, product packaging, magazine layout or book design? Do you find yourself thinking about the latest brand or curious to witness the impact of what an original design could make? Think that you’d like to study graphic design online?

Our online graphic design degree offers you the opportunity to enhance your creative potential through exploratory design initiatives, be it paper, web, digital, animation or print. You’ll determine your own preferred specialism within the wide range of graphic design practice while you study graphic design online with us.

The degree will examine the combination and significance of font style, image-making and layout which are the building blocks of graphic design. You’ll explore these through an investigation of visual language, context and dynamics, broadening your understanding, proficiency and expertise for the duration of your graphic design study.

You will learn to apply problem-solving methods to deliver visually powerful solutions to briefs that effectively communicate information and ideas. You’ll be encouraged to expand your definition of graphic design through brainstorming, researching contemporary practices and techniques in print and new media, and defining and refining your unique house style.

As you study graphic design, you’ll be challenged and encouraged to expand your definition of graphic design both on and offline. Throughout your course of study, your specialist tutor will support you and your work, enabling you to work independently, ready for the world of visual creative.

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Our online graphic design courses are open access

Online graphic design courses that cater for distance learners are the perfect way to expand your knowledge and skills at a pace that suits you. They allow you to balance your studies with your personal and work life so you can grow and develop in a way that works for you. Studying a graphic design bachelor’s degree online is a fantastic way to forward (or even jump start) a career in design, illustration, web design, and much more!

If you’re looking for an online graphic design bachelor’s degree, start your journey today and study graphic design with OCA!

Emily Everard

Course Structure

The Graphic Design degree is split into eight units; three at Level 1 (HE4), two at Level 2 (HE5), and three at Level 3 (HE6). There are some core units that all students take, many optional units, and some prerequisites for units at higher levels.

As a flexible degree, you can complete the programme in up to 9 years, with a maximum of three years to complete each level of the course.

Core Units

At Level 1 (HE4) you will complete one mandatory unit, Graphic Design 1: Core Concepts. This unit introduces the use of basic visual language and the application of practices and processes of graphic design. You’ll have the opportunity to develop practical competencies, explore your creative potential, and appreciate how to communicate effectively.

Study at Level 2 (HE5) is underpinned by two core units: one specialist unit in graphic design, Graphic Design 2: Working with a Client, and one diverse unit, Visual Skills 2: Visual Exploration. The second unit contains graphic design options that support a process-led approach to generating ideas and developing visual and technical skills across a choice of media and technologies.

A shared structure of course units at Level 3 (HE6) provides a framework for you to contextualise your practice, develop a specialist understanding of graphic design, synthesise critical ideas and visual work through a body of written and visual research (Graphic Design 3: Visual Research), and undertake a self-directed major project (Graphic Design 3: Advanced Practice) culminating in an exhibition and/or publication (Graphic Design 3: Sustaining your Practice).

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Optional Units

Alongside the core unit at Level 1 (HE4), there are several elective units you can choose to study;

Book Design 1: Creative Book Design

Visual Communication 1: Graphic Fiction

Illustration 1: Key Steps in Illustration

Illustration 1: Illustration Sketchbooks

Photography 1: Expressing your Vision

Visual Studies 1: Creative Arts Today

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available units – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which OCA might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 14 December 2022.

Graphic Design Degree Pathway

Click here

Programme Specification 2022/23 New Curriculum

This Programme Specification is for all units on the new curriculum.

Review Programme Specification Here

Programme Specification 2022/23 Running Out Curriculum

This Programme Specification details the units and learning outcomes that are being taught out.

Review Programme Specification here

Programme Specification 2023/24 New Curriculum

This Programme Specification is for all units on the new curriculum.

Review Programme Specification here

Programme Specification 2023/24 Running Out Curriculum

This Programme Specification details the units and learning outcomes that are being taught out.

Review Programme Specification here

Graphic Design Accessibility Statements

Accessibility statements give an indication of the type and format of content, teaching, and learning activities on the course, and how these are ordinarily delivered.

Review Accessibility Statements Here

UK 2022/2023

Foundations

£935

Per course

Level 1 (HE4)

£4,500

For the level

Level 2 (HE5)

£4,500

For the level

Level 3 (HE6)

£4,500

For the level

Total approximate undergraduate fees

Breakdown of costs...

Level 1 (HE4)

£1,500

Per course unit (4o credits)

All of the OCA’s Level 1 (HE4) course units are worth 40 credits each. If you’re studying towards an Open degree, you’ll need three Level 1 (HE4) course units to gain the necessary 120 credits to move on to Level 2 (HE5).

Deposit is £415 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £155.

Level 2 (HE5)

£2,250

Per course unit (6o credits)

Some of the OCA’s Level 2 (HE5) course units are worth 60 credits each. If you’re studying towards an Open degree, you’ll need two Level 2 (HE5) course units to gain the necessarry 120 credits to move on to Level 3 (HE6).

Deposit is £545 followed by 11 monthly instalments of £155.

Level 3 (HE6)

£4,500

For the level

OCA’s Level 3 (HE6) course units hold differing amounts of credits depending upon the given Open degree pathway.

Outside of the UK 2022/2023 Fees

Foundations

£1,075

Per course

Level 1 (HE4)

£5,160

For the level

Level 2 (HE5)

£5,160

For the level

Level 3 (HE6)

£5,160

For the level

Total approximate undergraduate fees

Breakdown of costs...

Level 1 (HE4)

1,720

Per course unit (40 credits)

All of the OCA’s Level 1 (HE4) course units are worth 40 credits each. If you’re studying towards a degree, you’ll need three Level 1 (HE4) course units to gain the necessary 120 credits to move on to Level 2 (HE5).

Deposit is £530 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £170.

Level 2 (HE5)

£2,580

Per course unit (60 credits)

Some of the OCA’s Level 2 (HE5) course units are worth 60 credits each. If you’re studying towards a degree, you’ll need two Level 2 (HE5) course units to gain the necessary 120 credits to move on to Level 3 (HE6).

Deposit is £710 followed by 11 monthly instalments of £170.

Level 3 (HE6)

£5,160

For the level

OCA’s Level 3 (HE6) course units hold differing amounts of credits depending upon the given degree pathway, and therefore are varied in cost. For individual pricing, please see the individual course unit pages on this website.

More Information

Course Fees

With the OCA, you can study a BA (Hons) degree in our flexible online learning model at approximately one third the cost of a degree at a traditional physical university.

Students study and pay for the course on a unit-by-unit basis, so you only pay for the course as you enrol to each unit.

This course is eligible for a part-time tuition fee loan from Student Finance England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or you can self-fund the course and break down costs even further through the deposit and instalment option. Find out more about your funding options here.
Equipment, Software and Other Costs

You will require regular use of a computer or laptop and internet access. Most essential reading materials can be accessed through the digital library services and eBooks.

Students are responsible for sourcing and, where necessary, purchasing any additional software and resources specified. These can be around £400 at Level 1, £500 at Level 2, and £550 at Level 3. Where possible, open or freeware equivalents will be discussed alongside industry standard options.

On this course, resources will vary depending on which creative disciplines you study. You will be introduced to various disciplines within your first two units, after which you can make an informed decision about where you take your creative practice.

You may be eligible for any student discounts on computer equipment and software by using your student email, and you can find out more information about student discounts here.
Study Requirements

Graphic Design is an open access degree; this means that there are no formal qualifications or experience required to join the course. All you need is a passion for the arts, and willingness to learn.

All OCA courses require students to be IT literate, have a good internet connection, and have a good standard of English equivalent to CEFR B2. You can review the study requirements here so you’re prepared for online study at higher education.
Start Date

We accept enrolment for our BA (HONS) courses all year round, so you can start at a time that suits you. You don’t need to wait for a specific intake month, simply complete the online enrolment form and indicate your preferred start date.

When applying for a Student Finance tuition fee loan, this may take 4- 6 weeks to process, so select a start date reflective of this. If you are also applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) and would like this support to be in place before beginning your course, please allow 14 weeks from when you begin your application to your start date.
Course Duration

Our part-time degree courses are completed on average between 6 and 9 years. The degree is structured into three levels (instead of three years) so you’re able manage study around other commitments.

Once enrolled, you’ll have a maximum of 12 years to complete your degree course. There are unit and level timeframes within the overall degree time frame, and you’ll need a minimum of 10 study hours per week to keep on track. To find out more about course duration and managing your time, click here.
How it Works

Your course materials are accessible online through the virtual learning environment, OCA Learn, where you’ll also have access to student forums, a subject space, the student handbook and the online library. You’ll work primarily from a set text of course materials and resources, but can also sign up to webinars, workshops and study groups in addition to your core learning.

Once you’ve completed the required assignments within a course unit and received tutor feedback, you’ll submit a portfolio of work to an assessment event. This gives you the opportunity to develop your work before you have it formally assessed to achieve credits towards your degree.
Careers & Employability

Upon completing the BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree, you’ll be set with skills to help you navigate the workplace. You could use your practice across a variety of professions such as a graphic designer, illustrator, web designer, print designer, wireframer, marketeer – the choice is yours. Prospects can help you with a variety of options of where your degree could take you.

In May 2022 the Department for Culture, Media, & Sport estimated there were some 2.3 million jobs in the UK creative industries, and post pandemic the Creative Industries are growing faster than the UK economy as a whole.
Academic Regulatory Framework (ARF)

The Academic Regulatory Framework (ARF) regulations are applicable to all taught courses offered by the Open College of the Arts (OCA). As of January 2024, this will lead to an undergraduate award of The Open University (OU).

You can review the ARF through the link below:

Academic Regulatory Framework

New Students: Please read!

If you are a new student funding your course through Student Finance, we recommend applying for 23/24 Student Finance when part-time applications open from June 2023. This is because Student Finance applications can take 4 - 6 weeks to process, and your application may not be approved in time for the OCA enrolment deadline this academic year (June 23).

We anticipate 23/24 enrolment forms will be available here in July 2023 for those beginning in the 23/24 academic year, beginning from August 2023. Do no submit the 22/23 enrolment form below if you are applying for 23/24 Student Finance, meaning you intend to begin your course from August 2023 onwards.

22/23 Enrolment Deadline

The deadline to submit an enrolment form to begin a course unit in the current 22/23 academic year is 16th June 2023.

The latest you can begin a course unit before we pause enrolment processing in July is 30th June. Please note that you will need to have made payment or have funding in place for your enrolment to be processed and that Student Finance applications can take up to 6 weeks to be reviewed.

We anticipate that you can submit a 23/24 enrolment form to begin from August 2023 in July.

To Join

Stand out from the crowd with a Graphic Design degree from OCA here:

Step 1 of 12

Enrolment Form
To register as an undergraduate student with OCA, or continue your OCA degree studies, please complete this form.
If you require this form in an alternative format please contact enquiries@oca.ac.uk
About you...(Required)
- I am a new student beginning a degree course
- I am a current student continuing my degree studies
What is/was your student number?(Required)
This is the six digit number at the end of your student email.

About You: Entry Requirements (1/3)
OCA offers open access courses, meaning you can start studying something you may have been interested in for years but haven't been able to pursue. What we are interested in is your aptitude and enthusiasm for your chosen subject.

You don’t need specific subject related qualifications to study with us, however there are minimum entry requirements you need to meet to ensure you have the right tools to get started.
English Language

As your legal nationality features on the majority English speaking countries list or you are a continuing student, you do not need to provide evidence of English Language proficiency. You will still need to confirm that you have a good standard of English to study this course.

You may want to brush up on your academic writing skills; you will develop these skills throughout your studies, but it is important to familiarise yourself with good practices.
English Language

You have indicated a legal nationality that is not featured on the majority English speaking countries list as provided by the CEFR. You must provide evidence of your English language proficiency equating to B2 of the CEFR.

You can evidence you meet this requirement through one of the following documents:

- A Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, taken two years or less before the date of enrolment to the course. IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Academic may be accepted as meeting these requirements, provided the student has achieved a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four elements of language learning.
- Have successfully completed an academic course (not professional or vocational) at Bachelors degree level or above from an educational institution in the UK or in a majority English speaking country as listed below.
- A passport provided as evidence of nationality of a majority English speaking country as listed above.
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT taken two years or less before the date of enrolment to the course, with minimum scores in each of the four elements of language learning as follows: reading 18, listening 17, speaking 20 and writing 17.
- Cambridge English B2 First qualification with scale range 160-179 taken in the last two years as of the date of enrolment to the course.
- An online Duolingo test. You would need an overall score of 90 or above to meet Level B2 of the CEFR, and a minimum score of 85 in each category (providing your overall score is still above 90).
The above list is not exhaustive and other evidence can be accepted providing it is clear the evidence equates to Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. For instance we may be able to accept a Level 3 course studied in the UK (such as A-Levels). In all cases acceptance is at the discretion of Open College of the Arts.
Please tick the following if applicable:(Required)
- I confirm I have a good standard of English
Upload English Language Evidence Here(Required)
We recommend uploading a PDF or image file.
Max. file size: 5 MB.

About You: Entry Requirements (2/3)
IT Literacy and Equipment

As our courses are hosted on the virtual learning platform, OCA Learn, it is essential that you have access to a laptop or computer, and can easily manage a range of basic functions through ICT. This includes being able to;

- access course materials through OCA Learn
- upload completed assignments to OCA Learn
- search for information online and access digital libraries
- use your student email to communicate with your tutor and other OCA staff
- engage with students on our forums
It is important you feel comfortable using ICT as OCA are unable to provide support for personal technical issues, but we have a dedicated team to assist with the use of OCA Learn. You can review the Student Computing Policy here.
Reviewing your IT Skills(Required)
- I have a good level of IT literacy and am confident with using web-based technologies.
- I have regular access to a computer/laptop with internet access.

About You: Entry Requirements (3/3)
Distance learning is great for anyone who wants to be creative, expand their skills and/or gain a qualification on your own terms. A lot of our students study alongside other commitments such as work, childcare and health issues, adding distance learning to their existing lifestyle.
Study Hours

Self-motivation is key to a successful distance learning student. You will be able to set aside several study hours per week and be comfortable working independently. As a higher education student, you are responsible for your studies and managing your time effectively, and will need a minimum of 10 study hours per week complete within the maximum time frames available.
Please tick if applicable:(Required)
- I confirm I have at least 10 study hours a week available
I can dedicate this many study hours per week(Required)
You do not have enough study hours per week available. You need at least a minimum of 10 study hours to complete a degree within the available time frames.
Your dedicated study hours per week suggests that you will complete your degree course in 9 years.
Your dedicated study hours per week suggests that you will complete your degree course in 8 years.
Your dedicated study hours per week suggests that you will complete your degree course in 7 years.
Your dedicated study hours per week suggests that you will complete your degree course in 6 years.

About You: Issues that may affect your learning
We encourage you to make us aware of anything that may impact on your studies when you enrol. This will help us to work with you to ensure you have the right support and equipment while you are studying with us, and to put any strategies in place, in good time.
Disabilities/Health Conditions(Required)
Learning Difficulty

If you think you may have a SpLD but do not have a formal diagnosis, please take a look at the Adult Checklist on the British Dyslexia Association website: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/screening

This does not confirm a diagnosis itself but may give an indication as to whether you should consider looking into a formal diagnosis.

A full diagnostic test is required for UK students to access support via the Disabled Students Allowance process. For OCA students who need help to pay for a diagnostic test, you may be able to apply for part-funding towards a diagnostic assessment via OCA’s Learner Support Scheme.

If you already have a full (post-16) diagnostic assessment, we would encourage you to apply for additional support via the Disabled Students Allowance process. You will need to get reassessed if you had this done when you were under 16 years old.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

If you are eligible for Student Finance, you may wish to consider applying for Disabled Students Allowance (Student Finance). This has been invaluable to many of our students. Students may be awarded a mentor which provides regular face-to-face interaction to support you with your planning and motivation, or software and equipment may be awarded to help you study the course depending on your needs. It's all individual - they will look at what the requirements of the course are, where your areas of difficulty may be due to your symptoms and let you know what options there are that could help.

We advise students applying for DSA to enrol to the course when DSA is in place, however you can start before this - the decision is yours. DSA applications can take 14 weeks to process, so please consider this when selecting your start date later on.

You can still apply for DSA even if you are a part through your studies.
Are you intending to apply for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)?(Required)
- Yes
- I have reviewed how DSA might be able to support me and do not wish to apply for DSA support.
When would you like to start the course?(Required)
- Only when DSA is approved
- On a set date regardless if DSA is in place or not
Physical Course Materials(Required)
All students have access to digital course materials and resources through OCA Learn.
- I have a medical condition or disability meaning I require physical course materials.
- I do not have a medical condition or disability meaning I require physical course materials.
Where shall we post these materials to?(Required)
- My residential address
- Other
Please provide a delivery address(Required)
If you are have indicated you are studying this course in UK, your delivery address must also be UK address

Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Please tell us about any health issues, disability or caring responsibilities that may affect your learning.

Course Information
Students must achieve 360 credits to complete their BA Hons course, which is structured into three 120 credit levels. Students begin at Level 1, and enrol on a unit by unit basis. Each level is made up of three 40 credit units.

The first number of the unit name indicates the level of study, and the second number of the unit indicates what order they unit should be studied at that level e.g. unit 1.1 is the first unit at Level 1.
If you began this course after September 2021, do not select any Teach Out units.
Select which course unit of the degree you are enrolling to(Required)
L3 Unit Requirements(Required)
The Graphic Design 3: Advanced Practice and Visual Research units must be enrolled on and paid for together. Please click below to confirm this.
- I confirm that I want to enrol for both units.
Start Date
OCA accepts enrolments for our BA (HONS) courses all year round, so you can start at a time that suits you. You start date must be between August 2022 and July 2023.

If you are funding through Student Finance, the tuition fee loan application process can take between 4 – 6 weeks. To help keep your study plans on track, we recommend applying for Student Finance at least six weeks before your preferred start date, but don’t worry if your funding application isn’t approved in time. We’ll keep your enrolment pending until you receive your outcome and then get you enrolled straight away.

If you plan to wait for your DSA support to be in place before your start date, please select a start date at least 14 weeks in the future.
If you submit an enrolment form with a start date in the next academic year (from August 2023) your enrolment will automatically be cancelled. We hope to start accept these enrolments in the summer.
Indicate your preferred start date(Required)

Day
Month
Year

Please note OCA does not process enrolments on weekends of Bank Holidays. If you preferred start date falls on such a date, your enrolment will be processed the closest following working day.
Please note enrolments will close for the academic year 2022/2023 from June 2023 which is required to allow us to consolidate data for the OU transfer, however, we expect this one-off pause will not adversely impact on overall timeframes or study plans and tutors will work with you to ensure you can progress smoothly.

Fees
For the 2022/2023 academic year, the total cost of a BA (HONS) is £13,500 for UK students and £15,480 for international students. Unit fees are reviewed annually therefore the total cost of a degree will vary and may increase over time, however we aim to keep any increases to a minimum where possible.

Students sign up and pay for the course on a unit by unit basis. The cost of the course unit you are enrolling to is as indicated below below.
Confirm Unit Fee
- I understand that the fee for this unit is £1,500, or a deposit of £415 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £155.
Confirm Unit Fee
- I understand that the fee for this unit is £2,250, or a deposit of £545 followed by 11 monthly instalments of £155.
Confirm Unit Fee
- I understand that the fee for this unit is £3,000, or a deposit of £830 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £310.

Fees
For the 2022/2023 academic year, the total cost of a BA (HONS) is £13,500 for UK students and £15,480 for international students. Unit fees are reviewed annually therefore the total cost of a degree will vary and may increase over time, however we aim to keep any increases to a minimum where possible.

Students sign up and pay for the course on a unit by unit basis. The cost of the course unit you are enrolling to is as indicated below below.
Confirm Unit Fee
- I understand that the fee for this unit is £1,720, or a deposit of £530 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £170.
Confirm Unit Fee
- I understand that the fee for this unit is £2,580, or a deposit of £710 followed by 11 monthly instalments of £170.
Confirm Unit Fee
- I understand that the fee for this unit is £3,440, or a deposit of £1,060 followed by 7 monthly instalments of £340.

Product Name
Funding and Payment
For the 2022/2023 academic year, the total cost of a BA (HONS) is £13,500 for UK students and £15,480 for international students. Unit fees are reviewed annually therefore the total cost of a degree will vary and may increase over time, however we aim to keep any increases to a minimum where possible.

Students sign up and pay for the course on a unit by unit basis. The cost of the course unit you are enrolling to is as indicated below below.
How are you funding the course?(Required)
- Student Finance (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
- Self-funding
- ELCAS
Student Finance is a loan from the UK government to help pay for tuition fees. Usually, you start repaying once you earn over a certain amount after a set period of time. The size of your monthly repayments will depend on how much you earn. Please check with Student Finance directly regarding your personal circumstances.
You are responsible for submitting your own Student Finance funding applications. The month you begin your course will mark the start of your personal academic year with Student Finance. For instance, if you begin your course in October, your funding year runs from October to September. This means you need to apply for funding to begin every October for the relevant academic year for as long as you are studying your course.

Mark the month you start your course in your calendar, so you know when your funding the following year needs to begin. We recommend applying for the maximum amount available each year. We will only claim the amount required.

Review the 22/23 Student Finance Guidance Here
Student Finance Credits
All new undergraduate degree students will be confirmed as studying 40 credits in their first year. If you enrol to additional units within the first 12 months of your course, the amount of credits confirmed will increase as and when you begin the additional units. OCA will confirm your attendance with Student Finance at the end of your 14 day cancellation period.
- I understand that I will be confirmed as studying 40 credits in my first year when I start my course
Maintenance Loan
If you have been awarded a maintenance loan, the amount of credits you study per year may impact the amount you receive. We cannot confirm credits before you enrol to a course unit, and you cannot enrol to multiple units at one time.
- I am applying for a maintenance loan or already receive one (check your eligibility with Student Finance)
- I am not applying or in receipt of a maintenance loan
Select your payment structure
- In full
- Deposit and Instalment
Instalments Agreement(Required)
- If paying for the course by instalments, I undertake to pay the full sum once outside of the 14 day cancellation period per the course fees structure, and if relevant, I give my permission for OCA to discuss my progress with a third party funder (e.g. employer, ELCAS).
Please upload your ELCAS CAN form(Required)
Max. file size: 5 MB.

HESA Data Collection
We are required to ask the following questions under Higher Education Statistics Agency regulations. This information is collected for demographic purposes and provided to HESA under our statutory duty.
What is your Highest Existing Qualification?(Required)
Please indicate the grading of that qualification(Required)
Please confirm the subject of your qualification(Required)
Please confirm the year awarded(Required)
Last provider attended(Required)
Please state your ethnicity(Required)
Please indicate your religious belief(Required)
Is your gender identity the same as the gender you were originally assigned at birth?(Required)
Please confirm if you are a care leaver(Required)
Please indicate your current or last job occupation(Required)
Please indicate the current or last area of work
Have your parents ever studied in Higher education?(Required)
Where did you hear about us?(Required)
Other source (please specify)

Terms and Conditions
Please read our Terms and Conditions very carefully. A PDF copy will be attached to your enrolment acceptance email. When enrolling on our course, you are indicating your acceptance of these terms. If, having read them you have any concerns, please contact us on 01226 978330 or email enquiries@oca.ac.uk. We also have a full money back guarantee if you no longer wish to study your course unit, and return the cancellation form within 14 days of receipt of your confirmation of enrolment notification to registry@oca.ac.uk. Once outside of the cancellation period, you are liable for the cost of the course unit in full.
New Student Terms and Conditions(Required)
- I have read, understand and agree to Terms and Conditions and Associated Policies for the Open University and I have reviewed the Terms and Conditions and Associated Policies for OCA from August 2023
Continuing Student Terms and Conditions(Required)
In August 2023 we will be transitioning across to The Open University, keeping disruption to you as a student to an absolute minimum. From August 2023, The Open University will become the awarding institution for OCA courses replacing the University for the Creative Arts, which means that any award that you achieve will be issued by the Open University, unless you opt to remain studying for a UCA award or wish to take your credit elsewhere (see below). If you choose to continue studying with OCA, your awarding body will automatically change to The Open University when you re-enrol for a new unit and sign up to new Terms and Conditions at that point confirming The Open University as your awarding institution. All credits accumulated to date will be transferred to the Open University and any award you receive will be awarded by the Open University. If you move to The Open University, you will be asked to sign up to the Academic Regulations of Subsidiary Institutions of The Open University. From August 2023, these will replace the Academic Regulatory Framework and the UCA Common Credit Framework for Postgraduate programmes. We hope that all our students will remain with us and join The Open University, and we hope that this new relationship will bring additional benefits to students in due course. If you decide this is not for you, then you are still able to complete your course units and assessments through UCA providing that you submit all summative assessments and successfully pass the units by the Autumn 2023 Assessment event. Depending on the units you have completed and submitted by this date, you may be eligible for an award from UCA. If you are unable to complete enough units for an award from UCA by 31 January 2024, the OCA awarding body will change to The Open University and you will be asked whether you would like any accumulated credits to be transferred to The Open University. You will still have the option to withdraw at that stage and transfer any completed credits to another college or university provider. Alternatively, you may be able to transfer the credits you have accumulated to another UCA-run programme at this point, which would mean that you would no longer be studying with OCA and would be required to enrol on the appropriate UCA programme as a student of UCA. Please note, UCA are unable to offer distance-learning courses. If you don’t want to proceed with any of these options, you might be able to transfer to another college or university, depending upon their entry criteria and credit requirements. Please contact us on 01226 978330 or email enquiries@oca.ac.uk for further information on transferring your credits. We will now ask you to choose whether you wish to stay with OCA (and move to The Open University as awarding institution) or choose whether you wish to complete your study with UCA by signing the appropriate Terms and Conditions below:
- I would like to remain studying with OCA for an award of The Open University. I understand that by choosing this option, I am actively consenting to transferring to The Open University as awarding institution. I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Associated Policies for the Open University from August 2022. I have also reviewed and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Associated Policies for OCA that will come into force from the point of transfer (from August 2023).
- I would like to remain studying with OCA for an award of the University for the Creative Arts. I understand that by choosing this option, I am actively consenting to continuing my studies with the University of the Creative Arts as awarding institution until January 2024. I understand that I must complete, submit summative assessments and successfully pass all units by the Autumn 2023 assessment event (at the latest) in order to continue to be eligible for a UCA award. I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the Terms and Conditions and Associated Policies for the University of the Creative Arts
o By choosing this option, I acknowledge that if I do not complete and pass all units and assessments before 31 January 2024, I will be asked to make a further decision regarding whether a) I consent to any accumulated credits being transferred to the Open University; or b) I wish to take my credits elsewhere.
Programme Specification(Required)
- I have read, understand and agree to the Programme Specification of my chosen degree and understand there may be additional costs to the degree programme outside the cost of the course units, such as tuition fees, material costs, software packages etc.
  OU Graphic Design Programme Specification 2022/2023
  OU Graphic Design Programme Specification 2022/2023 Teach Out
  UCA Graphic Design Programme Specification 2022/2023
  UCA Graphic Design Programme Specification 2022/2023 Teach Out
Data Protection(Required)
- I confirm that I give the OCA my consent to hold my up-to-date details on the OCA database in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, and providing required information to HESA, Office for Students or their appointed agents, as described in the Student Regulations
Name
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To find out more details about the transfer to The Open University see A New Chapter for OCA.

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Part-time, online

Study an online Graphic Design degree with OCA

Course Structure

Core Units

Optional Units

Graphic Design Degree Pathway

Programme Specification 2022/23 New Curriculum

Programme Specification 2022/23 Running Out Curriculum

Foundations

£935

Level 1 (HE4)

£4,500

Level 2 (HE5)

£4,500

Level 3 (HE6)

£4,500

Breakdown of costs...

Level 1 (HE4)

Level 2 (HE5)

Level 3 (HE6)

Foundations

£1,075

Level 1 (HE4)

£5,160

Level 2 (HE5)

£5,160

Level 3 (HE6)

£5,160

Breakdown of costs...

Level 1 (HE4)

Level 2 (HE5)

Level 3 (HE6)

More Information

To Join

Step 1 of 12

Enrolment Form

About You: Student Details

About You: Entry Requirements (1/3)

English Language

About You: Entry Requirements (2/3)

IT Literacy and Equipment

About You: Entry Requirements (3/3)

About You: Issues that may affect your learning

Course Information

Start Date

Fees

Fees

Funding and Payment

HESA Data Collection

Terms and Conditions