Distance Learning
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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.
Ideally you would be able to set aside a number of study hours per week and be comfortable working independently. Self-motivation is key to a successful distance learning student.
We also understand that distance learning can come with its own set of challenges. We have useful tips on our website on how to manage distance learning, and how to continually add to your personal development
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Distance learning can feel a little isolating at times, so it is important that you engage with the student community and discussion forums online and try your best to attend study visit days if you are able to do so. We encourage our students to continue conversations through our social media pages too.
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Yes, you can achieve the same qualification through studying a degree course online, that you would if you studied on campus.
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Your course materials are accessible online through the virtual learning environment, OCA Learn, where you’ll also have access to student forums, a department 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.
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On average the course is usually 20% theory and 80% practical, though this may vary from unit to unit and overtime the expectations for academic writing would increase with each stage of study.
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You’ll work primarily from a set text of course materials and resources which may also include recorded videos, but can also sign up to webinars and online workshops in addition to your core learning. There are no seminars or lectures to attend in person.
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There may be group work and tutorials included with the units of study. You can connect with other students through the forums on OCA Learn, and through webinars and online workshops. If you are unable to participate in group work, alternate learning pathways are available.
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No, studio space is not provided. It is important that you have your own creative space that will allow you to study effectively, whether this is a studio of your own, or a corner of your dining table that you share with the family. It doesn’t matter where it is, as long as it works for you.
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All students will need a laptop or computer with regular internet access. Other resources and equipment will be programme specific, so please review your degree information page for further details.
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As part of their learning experience, students at OCA will maintain a learning blog hosted within OCA Learn. This blog serves as a platform for students to document and reflect on their learning journey. Through the blog, students can share their progress, thoughts, and insights with their tutor and fellow students.
For visual art students, they will have the additional task of capturing photographs and videos of their artwork. These images will be shared with their tutor for feedback and submitted for assessment. This allows students to showcase their creative output visually and receive constructive criticism to further enhance their skills and understanding.
You can review student work through our Facebook and Instagram, the WeAreOCA blog and our showcase page.
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OCA assessment is digital only. We introduced digital assessment in response to the extraordinary circumstances of Covid-19. Digital assessment has offered educational and environmental advantages, as well as cost benefits for students. OCA will continue to run digital only assessments for the foreseeable future.
Course Timeframes
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Flexible study with OCA means you can vary how long it takes to complete your qualification.
In total, you have a maximum 16 year registration period (the longest period you can be registered on your programme of study) and a maximum of 12 years active study time, which means the time you spend studying the units – whether you need extensions or not – can’t go beyond 12 years.
You’ll study your qualification on a unit-by-unit basis, so the unit time frame will be your initial focus. Students have a maximum of 12 months to complete a 40 credit unit, and 18 months to complete a 60 credit unit. If you fail to complete within the unit time frame, you risk being withdrawn from the programme so it’s important you are aware of these dates.
You’ll need at least 10 hours per week on average to complete your course within the maximum time frames provided.
- 10 study hours per week = approximately 9 years to complete
- 16-18 study hours per week = approximately 6 years to complete
- 22 + study hours per week = approximately 4 ½ years to complete*
*4 ½ year completion not available for Drawing, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration or Music due to ongoing course updates.
When you enrol to a unit and when you submit for assessment can impact the rate at which you progress, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead where you can. It is not possible to study at a full time rate with OCA.
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No. OCA offers part-time courses, therefore the quickest time frame to complete an undergraduate course would be approximately 4 ½ years*.
*4 ½ year completion not available for Drawing, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration or Music due to ongoing course updates, if enrolled after April 2023.
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No. The units have been in part designed to assist with progression, ensuring that the knowledge gained in one unit naturally transitions to the next. As OCA offers open access, part-time learning at a distance, this method allows us to assist students more effectively through their learning journey, therefore it is only possible to study one unit at a time.
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You have a maximum of 12 months to complete a Foundation course, and you’ll need a minimum of 10 study hours per on average. If you would like to dedicate additional time to study, you could complete as quickly as 5 to 6 months.
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No. Our postgraduate degrees are cohort-based, which means students follow a set schedule of study and are expected to complete the programme in a two-year timeframe.
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Understandably, sometimes there are unexpected extenuating circumstances that affect your ability to study. In these instances, students can apply for an extension or deferral. We encourage students to seek support as early as possible in such circumstances.
Assessment
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During your course, you will submit assignments to your tutor and receive written and/or verbal feedback. These are sometimes called formative feedback or tutor reports.
When you complete all the required assignments, your unit will be marked as complete and you will be invited to submit your work to the next available assessment event. Assessment takes place at one of three annual Assessment Events; Autumn, Spring and Summer.
Assessment events are only applicable to degree courses.
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You will submit a selection of work that you have produced throughout your unit of study to a digital Assessment Event. This may include but is not limited to;
- A selection of learning logs
- A selection of creative work
- Any critical reviews, essays, or other written reports
- A reflective presentation or evaluation
- Your tutor reports
Once assessment has taken place, you will receive an overall mark and accompanying range statements based on the assessment criteria. You will also receive feedback that reflects on the level of the work you have produced, alongside ‘feed forward’, that aims to help support your future developments.
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The Open University incorporates Stage 2 (HE5) results, along with Stage 3 (HE6) results, in calculating overall degree classifications. These results are weighted at a ratio of 1:2. In simpler terms, Stage 3 results count twice as much towards your overall mark as Stage 2 results do.
If you began your programme prior to The Open University transfer, your degree classification may be calculated differently. Check out your Student Handbook for further information.
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Foundation courses assist with preparing for higher education and distance learning, and the introduction to a new creative discipline. They are personal development courses and are not accredited, therefore are not submitted to assessment. Students still receive formative feedback throughout their course through their tutor feedback reports.
Resources and Support
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Degree students will receive access to the OU Library, and will receive separate login details to access the OU Library.
Foundation, Personal Development and Short Courses do not have access to the OU library, however all required resources are embedded in OCA Learn Courses.
We also have a wonderful Librarian you can contact for assistance, as well a Library space on OCA Learn where you can find lots of useful resources and guidance.
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All the Open College of the Arts tutors are practising artists, photographers, designers, writers or composers and are experienced teachers at HE level. Their combination of professional expertise with a strong background in teaching is a key strength of the OCA. You can be confident in your tutor’s ability to help you develop your skills and give you supportive and constructive feedback.
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Our student support staff are here to ensure your learning journey is smooth and successful.
The Information, Advice and Guidance Team can assist with admission queries to help you get started, and keep you informed as you journey through your course.
The Learner Support Team supports students who might be studying with disabilities, health conditions or extenuating circumstances, and will advise on what options are available that may help you get the most from your studies.
The Tech Support Team have created some wonderful resources to help you navigate and make the most of the virtual learning platform, and are able to help with issues accessing your resources.
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Our wellbeing app encourages and supports students and staff to think about their wellbeing, engage in creative activities designed to support wellbeing, create positive habits to sustain wellbeing, and to increase awareness of services available within OCA and our local communities.
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Open to all students at Stage Two and above of our degree programmes, the Enterprise Enhancement Scheme awards funding to cover activities that support you in securing your ambition post-study.
This could be attending a conference, an exhibition, a training course or event. It could be setting up a project with other students to design graphics for e-greetings cards, or investment in digital technology to enable you to take innovative images.
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The OCA Student Association is structured on value-led representatives, aiming to cover the different aspects of student life.OCASA Reps are elected to represent the student body in particular areas and endeavour to canvas ideas, opinions and beliefs about the topics that affect OCA students. OCASA also support the student community through regional study groups and study events.