Study a Drawing from the Past Foundation course with OCA
This foundation course is designed to provide students with a new way of looking at and thinking about works of art and art history.
The foundation places the experience of making at the heart of research activity. We intend to encourage you to use drawing as a way of understanding artworks and the ideas that led to them.
The research and making strategies you will discover in the art history course should help you build a first-hand, personal relationship with works of art and give you some understanding of what the artists who made them were thinking. These strategies should allow you to discover and generate knowledge on your terms.
The foundation encourages active looking at works of art by making drawings, tracings, maps and diagrams – you will be invited to slow down and look carefully at artworks, and to experience what it means to develop an understanding of the world and art through looking and making. This history of drawing course is designed to be an entry point for studying art history, drawing, painting and fine art.
Apply NowDrawing and art history courses online from OCA
OCA’s practical online art history courses help you explore the past through drawing. Our foundation-level history of drawing course is open access which means that you don’t need to have completed a previous art history course in order to apply.
Our distance learning history of drawing foundation course gives you the opportunity to study in a way that suits you. Balance your personal and professional responsibilities with your studies while you pursue your art history course with OCA.
Course Aims
The course aims to:
- Introduce you to art historical themes for interpretation.
- Teach drawing methods for interpreting artworks.
- Introduce you to methods for art historical research.
- Reflect on the engagement between making and historical context.
Course Outcomes
Through the course, you will:
- Understand key art historical themes, and how to apply them practically.
- Apply methods for drawing acquired from looking at artworks.
- Demonstrate skills in researching art history.
- Demonstrate reflective writing skills.
Foundations
£1025
Per course
Level 1 (HE4)
£4,950
For the level
Level 2 (HE5)
£4,950
For the level
Level 3 (HE6)
£4,950
For the level
Breakdown of costs...
Level 1 (HE4) |
£1,650 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 £495 followed by 6 monthly instalments of £192.50. |
Level 2 (HE5) |
£2,475 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 £550 followed by 10 monthly instalments of £192.50. |
Level 3 (HE6) |
£4,950 For the level |
OCA’s Level 3 (HE6) course units hold differing amounts of credits depending upon the given Open degree pathway. |
Foundations
£1,175
Per course
Level 1 (HE4)
£5,670
For the level
Level 2 (HE5)
£5,670
For the level
Level 3 (HE6)
£5,670
For the level
Breakdown of costs...
Level 1 (HE4) |
1,890 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 £567.50 followed by 6 monthly instalments of £220.50. |
Level 2 (HE5) |
£2,835 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 £630 followed by 10 monthly instalments of £220.50.
|
Level 3 (HE6) |
£5,670 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 feesDrawing Foundation
Seeking a more practical approach? Have a look at our Drawing Foundation course.
Learn more