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How to apply - The Open College of the Arts | Distance Learning Degrees and Courses

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How to apply

Taking the next step in your creative education is exciting, and we’ve made our application process as straightforward as possible.

Follow our step-by-step guide below to start your creative journey.

Before You Apply

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Find Your Course

Browse our course pages to find the discipline that speaks to your ambitions. 

We offer;

  • Undergraduate Degrees
  • Film and Media Production Cert HE 
  • Foundation Courses [personal development]
  • Short Courses

Check our upcoming course start dates here – we offer multiple intakes throughout the year.

Our Courses
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Check Entry Requirements

Review the criteria on your course page, including; 

  • English Language and IT Literacy
  • Equipment and Resources, and Study Hours 
  • Under 18 Admissions 
  • BA Hons Music Theory Evidence 

No Portfolio Required! Because OCA is open-access, a portfolio review is not required, except for undergraduate credit exemption applications.

Entry Requirements

Explore Support

Studying from home doesn’t mean you’re alone! We are here to support you with:

  • Academic support and library services
  • Health and wellbeing resources
  • Guidance and adjustments for students with disabilities.
  • Enterprise

Explore our support to ensure we are the right fit for you.

Student Support and Wellbeing
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Decide your Funding Method

Our undergraduate programmes can receive funding  through Student Finance England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the SAAS Part-Time Fee Grant. We also offer deposit and instalment options for self-funding students.

Secure your preferred start date by accounting for funding processing times, as enrolment cannot be finalised until payment or funding is verified.

Fees, Funding and Other Costs

How to Apply

Step 1: Submit your Enrolment Form

Complete and submit the online enrolment form located on your chosen course information page. You will indicate your preferred start date and funding method within this form. 

Undergraduate degree students will need to submit a new enrolment form and check they have funding in place or organise payment each time they begin a new unit of study. 

Our Student Advisers will check your application and reach out if we require further information before sending a provisional offer.

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Step 2: Organise your Funding

Set up your payment method or submit your funding application. Your enrolment cannot be finalised until funding is verified by our Finance Team. 

We’ve created guides to help you apply for Student Finance and the SAAS Part-Time Fee Grant on our Fees, Funding and Other Costs page.

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Step 3: Receive your Acceptance Offer

Once your enrolment form and funding are processed, we will provide your acceptance onto the course and confirm your start date.

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Step 4: Access Induction on Your Start Date

On your confirmed start date, new students will receive their OCA student email login. All students will be granted access to OCA Learn platform and your two-week induction. 

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Step 5: Begin your Studies

Following your two-week induction, you will receive access to further materials and tutor support, ready for you to dive into your studies. If you are funding your course through Student Finance, we will also confirm your registration with them at this time.

Please note that the end of the two-week induction marks the end of your cancellation period.

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Enrolling to your next degree unit?

Wrap up one unit and dive seamlessly into the next! Check out this guide on how to manage your unit-by-unit undergraduate enrolment.

Enrol to Your Next Degree Unit Guide

Ask a question.

Contact us here.
    • 03/06/2026: Removed Explore, Enrol and Engage sections and replaced with Before Your Apply and How to Apply sections. Page reformatted.