Blog - The Open College of the Arts | Distance Learning Degrees and Courses

OCA News: Mathias Bruun Pederson

Posted: 23/09/26 10:10
1 Comments

By Andrew Conroy

Really sad news, everyone: photography student Mathias Pederson passed away in July. Mathias had...

OCA Music: Finding the Right Text

Posted: 02/09/26 09:32
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By Neil Tomas Smith

The relationship between music and text is as old as it is rich. From...

Student Story: OCA Painting, Chantelle Wilson

Posted: 27/08/26 11:56
11 Comments

creativity digital pedagogy exhibition installation narrative sustaining practice

By Emma Drye

As Programme Leader for the Painting pathway, I am very pleased to introduce the...

Soundings: A Conversation with Doreen Cunningham

Posted: 27/08/26 11:55
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creativity environment Journalism memoir nature novel

By Dan Robinson

I am thrilled to invite writer and former BBC journalist Doreen Cunningham to speak...

Interview with BA Creative Arts Student – Christin Penz

Posted: 27/08/26 10:13
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Creative Arts creativity experimentation inclusion interdisciplinarity multimedia

By Rachel Smith

What I enjoyed most about Creative Arts 1.2 was the freedom to develop my...

Reimagining Romance: Rob Elford’s “Love with NO FUTURE” at Void Space Live

Posted: 03/08/26 09:38
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alternative Film and Media immersive installation interactive

By Rob Elford

Making films or media doesn’t just need to be limited to film showings in...

OCA Interior Design: Interior Spatial Design Creative Workshop June 2026

Posted: 31/07/26 09:25
1 Comments

creative workshop design Imagination outreach spatial intervention

By Catherine Byrne

In June 2026 Interior Designs’ Programme Tutor and Programme Leader, Sam and Catherine, spent...

OCA BA Fine Art: Meet & Make

Posted: 27/07/26 09:57
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collaboration community digital pedagogy engagement online learning

By Diana Ali

How familiar is the phrase or excuse “I don’t have the time”? We say...

Student Stories: Arunava Chatterjee

Posted: 23/07/26 11:22
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artistic journey collaboration experiential experimental interdisciplinarity sustaining practice

By Arunava Chatterjee

JISABOKE is an experimental spoken word and sound album that explores memory, identity, silence, empathy,...

Student Stories: Virginia Barrantes Fernandez

Posted: 03/07/26 09:03
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artist book creativity cross discipline feminism multi disciplinary storytelling

By Virginia Barrantes Fernandez

My practice explores how women and AFAB artists reclaim bodily agency through material, narrative...

Choosing the right OCA course for you

Posted: 01/07/26 09:49
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Creative Arts design Graphics Illustration Multi Media Visual Communications

By Polly Harvey

Are you feeling stuck with choosing which course to apply for? At OCA, we offer...

Student Stories: Anthony Carey

Posted: 30/06/26 04:03
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creativity exhibition multi disciplinary sustaining practice

By Rachel Smith

Creative Arts Programme tutor Rachel Smith is in conversation with Stage 3 student Anthony...

Short Film Festivals – how they create community, and why it matters

Posted: 26/05/26 03:16
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creativity Film and Media film festival production

By Sue Lewis

We always tell our students to enter film festivals for the experience, exposure and...

What is Visual Communications at OCA?

Posted: 21/05/26 01:56
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creative industry digital pedagogy multi disciplinary Visual Communications

By Dan Robinson

Visual Communications at the Open College of the Arts is a "big umbrella" of...

Enrolling on Your Next Unit of Study in Your Degree

Posted: 15/05/26 11:26
1 Comments

By Emma George

You’ve just completed a unit, read your final feedback, and are hopefully feeling a...

Moving image in Visual Communications

Posted: 15/05/26 09:37
0 Comments

creativity cross discipline innovation mixed media sustaining practice Visual Communications

By India

In Vis Com we have had a significant uptake of students exploring moving image...

OCA Creative Arts : Student Story – Gemma Lorente-Shore

Posted: 07/05/26 10:20
1 Comments

craft creativity illustration. product design sustaining practice

By Rachel Smith

Read about OCA Creative Arts student Gemma Lorente-Shore's learning journey.

OCA Fine Art- Spring assessment happiness!

Posted: 29/04/26 09:11
0 Comments

assessment creativity digital pedagogy interdisciplinarity

By Diana Ali

Leaving a unit or stage and moving onto the next is not breaking up...

Fees Announcement for 2026/27

Posted: 27/04/26 11:27
1 Comments

By Craig Dewis

Announcement of Student Fees to apply from August 2026 We are announcing today the...

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to Student Finance Northern Ireland

Posted: 16/04/26 12:23
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Admissions Fees and Funding SFNI Student Finance Northern Ireland

By Emma George

Starting your degree is a significant step toward your creative goals. For students in...

#WeAreOCA

The Open College of the Arts' blog

Latest Posts

OCA News: Mathias Bruun Pederson

OCA Music: Finding the Right Text

Student Story: OCA Painting, Chantelle Wilson

Soundings: A Conversation with Doreen Cunningham

Interview with BA Creative Arts Student – Christin Penz

Reimagining Romance: Rob Elford’s “Love with NO FUTURE” at Void Space Live

OCA Interior Design: Interior Spatial Design Creative Workshop June 2026

OCA BA Fine Art: Meet & Make

Student Stories: Arunava Chatterjee

Student Stories: Virginia Barrantes Fernandez

Choosing the right OCA course for you

Student Stories: Anthony Carey

Short Film Festivals – how they create community, and why it matters

What is Visual Communications at OCA?

Enrolling on Your Next Unit of Study in Your Degree

Moving image in Visual Communications

OCA Creative Arts : Student Story – Gemma Lorente-Shore

OCA Fine Art- Spring assessment happiness!

Fees Announcement for 2026/27

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to Student Finance Northern Ireland