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Fees, Funding and Other Costs - The Open College of the Arts | Distance Learning Degrees and Courses

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Fees, Funding and Other Costs

Our courses offer a high-quality, flexible path to creative study, designed to fit around your life.

We provide a wide range of disciplines across four key offerings: Undergraduate Degrees, Certificate of Higher Education in Film and Media Production, Foundation Courses (Personal Development), and Short Courses. 

Download our course fees here.

How much will it cost?

Find all the details on course costs and financial support right here.
  • Course Fees

    Enjoy a flexible approach to both learning and financing. Our undergraduate degrees are delivered and paid for on a unit-by-unit basis. You only pay for the specific unit you are registered to study at the time. You’ll typically study one or two 40-credit units per year, depending on your study pace. Our 60-credit units are specific to Teach Out programmes for historic pathways.

    Based on 2026/2027 academic year fees, the approximate cost of a BA (HONS) is:

    • UK: £21,438
    • International: £24,552
    2026/2027 Unit Credits Fee Deposit and Instalments
    UK 40 Credit Unit £2,382 £714 deposit, followed by 6x monthly instalments of £278.
    60 Credit Unit £3,573 £1,071 deposit, followed by 10x monthly instalments of £250.20.
    International 40 Credit Unit £2,728 £820 deposit, followed by 6x monthly instalments of £318.
    60 Credit Unit £4,092 £1,228 deposit, followed by 10x monthly instalments of £286.40.

    These fees are valid until 31 July 2027.

    While our fees are reviewed annually—meaning the total cost of a degree may fluctuate slightly over time—we are committed to keeping any adjustments to a minimum and always in line with our Student Fees Policy.

    What’s Included?

    Your unit materials, tuition and assessment are all included in our course fees.

    Some additional costs aren’t included:

    • You’ll need your own computer and internet access.
    • For some units of study, you may wish to buy additional recommended reading – essential reading will be available through the OU Library.
    • You’ll need to purchase your own art resources and equipment, which will be course and pathway dependant, and will likely develop over time. You can find more information about the general list of resources you’ll need to get started through your course information page.
    Funding Your Studies

    Explore the different ways you can fund your undergraduate studies below.

    However you decide to fund your studies, payment toward the course or a funding source must be in place for the intake payment deadline of your chosen start date. Review intake dates and payment deadlines here.

    • A Student Finance England tuition fee loan will cover the entirety of your tuition fees, subject to whether you have studied a higher education course previously. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan if you can only study via distance learning due to a disability. You will be asked to evidence this in your application.

      Learn more about Student Finance England here.

      Important Update: 

      If your course with OCA starts in September, October, or November 2026, you may apply for SFE funding as usual. For any course start dates from January 2027 onwards, please be aware that the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) will be in effect.

    • A Student Finance Wales tuition fee loan will cover some of your tuition fees, subject to whether you have studied a higher education course previously. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan or grant, and is dependant on intensity of study and your household income.

      Learn more about Student Finance Wales here.

    • A Student Finance Northern Ireland tuition fee loan will cover some of your tuition fees, subject to whether you have studied a higher education course previously. You may also be eligible for a course grant, which is dependant on your intensity of study.

      Learn more about Student Finance Northern Ireland here.

    • Students Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) Part-Time Fee Grant (PTFG) will cover some of your tuition fees.

      Learn more about the Part-Time Fee Grant here.

    • In January 2027 the new Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) system will come into effect.

      This is an initiative designed by successive governments to allow learners to study flexibly through a modular approach to learning. This will replace the student loans system in England.

      Applications will open from September 2026.

      Learn more about the LLE here.

      Read OCA’s LLE blog post here, and review further information on the LLE here.

    • OCA has Learner Support Scheme funding set by the trustees each academic year, to be used to support access and progression in Higher Education. Funding is available to cover a number of purposes, including tuition fees.

      You must be residing in the UK, have a household income under £25,000, meet course requirements and not be eligible for full funding through other sources, such as Student Finance or the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

      Learn more about the Learner Support Scheme here.

    • Enjoy a flexible approach to both learning and financing.

      Our undergraduate degrees are delivered and paid for on a unit-by-unit basis. You only pay for the specific unit you are registered to study at the time.

      You’ll typically study one or two 40-credit units per year, depending on your study pace. Our 60-credit units are specific to Teach Out programmes for historic pathways.

      Spread the costs even further with a deposit and instalment option (see above table).

      How you can pay: 

      • Use a card to pay via Worldpay when submitting your enrolment form.
      • Bank Transfer (details provided after provisional offer).
      • Request a payment link.
  • Course Fees

    Based on 2026/2027 academic year fees, the cost of the Film and Media Production Cert HE is:

    • UK: £7 ,146
    • International: Not available
    2026/2027 Fee Deposit and Instalment
    Part-time £7,146 £1,071 deposit, followed by 18x monthly instalments of £337.50
    Full-time £7,146 £2,142 deposit, followed by 9x monthly instalments of £556.

    These fees are valid until 31 July 2027.

    What’s Included?

    Your unit materials, tuition and assessment are all included in our course fees.

    Some additional costs aren’t included:

    • You’ll need your own computer and internet access.
    • For some units of study, you may wish to buy additional recommended reading – essential reading will be available through the OU Library.
    • You’ll need to purchase your own art resources and equipment, and will likely develop over time. You can find more information about the general list of resources you’ll need to get started through your course information page.
    Funding Your Studies

    Explore the different ways you can fund your undergraduate studies below.

    However you decide to fund your studies, payment toward the course or a funding source must be in place for the intake payment deadline of your chosen start date. Review intake dates and payment deadlines here.

    • A Student Finance England tuition fee loan will cover the entirety of your tuition fees, subject to whether you have studied a higher education course previously. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan if you can only study via distance learning due to a disability. You will be asked to evidence this in your application.

      Learn more about Student Finance England here.

      To help make the application process easier, we’ve created a guidance document which provides all the course information you need from OCA to complete your application.

      Review Application Guidance Here

    • A Student Finance Wales tuition fee loan will cover some of your tuition fees, subject to whether you have studied a higher education course previously. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan or grant, and is dependant on intensity of study and your household income.

      Learn more about Student Finance Wales here.

      To help make the application process easier, we’ve created a guidance document which provides all the course information you need from OCA to complete your application.

      Review Application Guidance Here

    • A Student Finance Northern Ireland tuition fee loan will cover some of your tuition fees, subject to whether you have studied a higher education course previously. You may also be eligible for a course grant, which is dependant on your intensity of study.

      Learn more about Student Finance Northern Ireland here.

      To help make the application process easier, we’ve created a guidance document which provides all the course information you need from OCA to complete your application.

      Review Application Guidance Here

    • OCA has Learner Support Scheme funding set by the trustees each academic year, to be used to support access and progression in Higher Education. Funding is available to cover a number of purposes, including tuition fees.

      You must be residing in the UK, have a household income under £25,000, meet course requirements and not be eligible for full funding through other sources, such as Student Finance or Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

      Learn more about the Learner Support Scheme here.

    • Spread the costs even further with a deposit and instalment option (see above table).

      How you can pay: 

      • Use a card to pay via Worldpay when submitting your enrolment form.
      • Bank Transfer (details provided after provisional offer).
      • Request a payment link.
  • Course Fees

    Based on 2026/2027 academic year fees, the cost of a Foundation (Personal Development) course is:

    Fee Deposit and Instalment
    UK £1,105 Deposit of £332 followed by 5 monthly instalments of £154.60.
    International £1,270 Deposit of £381 followed by 5 monthly instalments of £177.80.

    These fees are valid until 31 July 2027.

    What’s Included?

    Your unit materials and tuition are all included in our course fees.

    Some additional costs aren’t included:

    • You’ll need your own computer and internet access.
    • You may wish to buy additional recommended reading – essential reading will be available through OCA Learn.
    • You’ll need to purchase your own art resources and equipment, which will be course dependant, and will likely develop over time. You can find more information about the general list of resources you’ll need to get started through your course information page.
    Funding Your Studies

    Explore the different ways you can fund your Foundation course below.

    However you decide to fund your studies, payment toward the course or a funding source must be in place for the intake payment deadline of your chosen start date. Review intake dates and payment deadlines here.

    • Spread the costs even further with a deposit and instalment option (see above table).

      How you can pay: 

      • Use a card to pay via Worldpay when submitting your enrolment form
      • Bank Transfer (details provided after provisional offer)
      • Request a payment link
    • OCA has Learner Support Scheme funding set by the trustees each academic year, to be used to support access and progression in Higher Education. Funding is available to cover a number of purposes, including tuition fees.

      You must be residing in the UK, have a household income under £25,000, meet course requirements and not be eligible for full funding through other sources, such as Student Finance or Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

      Learn more about the Learner Support Scheme here.

  • Course Fees

    Based on 2026/2027 academic year fees, the cost of a short course is:

    2026/2027 Fee Deposit and Instalment
    UK £360 Not available.
    International £360 Not available.

    These fees are valid until 31 July 2027.

    What’s Included?

    Your unit materials and tuition are all included in our course fees.

    Some additional costs aren’t included:

    • You’ll need your own computer and internet access.
    • You’ll need to purchase your own art resources and equipment, which will be course dependant. You can find more information about the general list of resources you’ll need to get started through your course information page.
    Funding Your Studies

    Explore the different ways you can fund your Short Course below.

    However you decide to fund your studies, payment toward the course or a funding source must be in place for the intake payment deadline of your chosen start date. Review intake dates and payment deadlines here.

    • How you can pay: 

      • Use a card to pay via Worldpay when submitting your enrolment form.
      • Bank Transfer (details provided after provisional offer).
      • Request a payment link.
    • OCA has Learner Support Scheme funding set by the trustees each academic year, to be used to support access and progression in Higher Education. Funding is available to cover a number of purposes, including tuition fees.

      You must be residing in the UK, have a household income under £25,000, meet course requirements and not be eligible for full funding through other sources, such as Student Finance or Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

      Learn more about the Learner Support Scheme here.

Other costs to consider

To help you plan ahead, we've put together a few details on additional essentials, discounts, and resources to support your learning journey.

Equipment and Resources

We know that every creative journey is unique! Your equipment and resource needs will evolve as your practice grows, which may include art equipment and digital software. We recommend buying things as and when you need them. To get you started, our units are designed to work perfectly with basic, easy-to-access equipment. To learn more about any specific additional costs for your chosen programme, please take a look at the individual course pages.

All courses that OCA offer require students have regular access to a desktop computer or laptop, and internet access.

Accessing Reading Materials

Most of your reading materials are easily accessible within your unit materials, OCA Learn or the OU Library, but you may wish to buy recommended reading materials for your course.

  • Degree and Cert HE students: Enjoy access to The Open University online library.
  • Foundation and Short Course students: Required resources are built right into your courses and available through OCA Learn.
Enjoy Student Perks!

As an OCA student, you can unlock great discounts with retailers and services nationwide—usually just by using your OCA email address. Find out more about student discounts here.

You can also apply for OCA’s Enterprise Enhancement Scheme, which awards funding to eligible students that assist with entrepreneurial activities. Find out more information about the Enterprise Enhancement Scheme here.

Learner Support Scheme

As well as tuition fees, the Learner Support Scheme offers a Study-Related Costs Bursary, which can help with study related costs such as textbooks, subscriptions, arts consumables and other items to support study. Find out more the Study-Related Costs Bursary and specific one-off support bursaries here.

 

Our Courses

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Undergraduate Degrees

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Film and Media Production Cert HE

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Foundation Courses

(Personal Development)

Explore Here

Short Courses

Explore Here

Funding FAQs

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Contact Us

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    • 20/08/2026: References to 2025/2026 course fees removed.
    • 13/07/2026: Funding FAQ link updated, link to LLE webpage added.
    • 05/06/2026: links for Student Finance England, Wales, Northern Ireland and SAAS information updated.
    • 01/05/2026: 2026/2027 course fee information added, and 2024/2025 course fee information removed. Funding options information for key course offerings added, and ‘Other costs to consider’ section updated, adding information about Learner Support Scheme bursaries and Enterprise Enhancement Scheme.
    • 23/05/2025: 2025/2026 course fee information added, and outdated information removed.