Applying to OCA

OCA was set up in order to provide easy access to arts education without barriers. You can start studying with us when you are ready; all you need to do is find the course you’re interested in, click enrol and we’ll do the rest.

Some courses recommend that you have some qualifications or background before starting. For example the BA (Hons) Music degree recommends that students starting have completed either ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory, or have completed OCA’s Open Music Foundation. This is there to ensure maximum engagement with the course so you can get the most out of it.

If you are an international student, we do require evidence of English language ability to begin the course, which needs to be at Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). In these cases we do require documentary evidence, although we are flexible in what can be accepted as evidence. Please see the Student Regulations for the full list of appropriate documents.

As study at OCA is at a distance, much of the materials and support you’ll access is online. So in order to do the course you’ll need to be confident in using IT, setting up blogs and using online libraries.

If you have a disability get in touch with us as early as possible. We’ll work with you to understand what you need, and make sure it gets setup so you can easily access your learning. We’ve got more info on studying with a disability here.