Study a Drawing Foundation course with OCA
Get started with drawing even if you have never picked up a pencil.
This Open Foundations drawing course will give you the best starting point to develop basic drawing skills, explore different ways of using materials and tools, and discover drawing as a pleasurable and inventive activity.
You will also gain a good understanding of what drawing is and might be, and be aware of contemporary drawing practice. On completion of the five parts of the course you should have gained sufficient skills and enough confidence to go on to further study with the Open College of the Arts, and be able to decide on the nature and direction of your future studies and art practice.
Course Aims
The course will encourage you to:
- Observe closely.
- Appreciate the material aspects of drawing.
- Use the visual and physical experience as inspiration for future work.
- See your work in a broader context of contemporary practice.
Course Outcomes
Through the course, you will:
- Gain a developing ability in drawing.
- Show increased inventiveness in your approach to materials and tools.
- Have an improved visual memory.
- Have a greater understanding of what drawing is and might be.
- Be more aware of the performative and material aspects of drawing and their use within contemporary art practice.
- Have more confidence in your potential as an artist and a growing sense of self reliance.
- Be able to decide on the nature and direction of your future studies and art practice.
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
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 £465 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 £595 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. |
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
Breakdown of costs...
Level 1 (HE4) |
£1,560 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 £580 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 £760 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. |
Fees, Funding and other costs
Foundation courses are ineligible for Student Finance funding, but we have deposit and instalment options available to help spread the costs.
There are also bursaries available for students on low incomes. See our fees and funding page for more info.
Other costs you may find during your foundation course include the purchase of materials/books/texts to assist in your practice and research. These can be around £150-400 for fine art subjects. Students are also encouraged to attend exhibitions and costs may vary.
Fees, Funding and other costsDrawing from the Past
Interested in art history? Explore our Open Foundation in Drawing from the Past.
Learn more