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

Student Story: Virginia Barrantes Fernandez

Posted: 03/07/26 09:03
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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
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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
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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
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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...

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to Student Finance Wales

Posted: 16/04/26 11:31
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Admissions Fees and Funding SFW Student Finance Wales

By Emma George

Investing in your creative future is a big step. The support from Student Finance...

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to Student Finance England

Posted: 16/04/26 07:25
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Admissions Fees and Funding SFE Student Finance England

By Emma George

We know that a degree is a significant investment. However, OCA offers one of...

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to the SAAS Part-Time Fee Grant

Posted: 15/04/26 11:34
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Admissions Fees and Funding Part-time Fee Grant SAAS Scotland

By Emma George

Through OCA’s partnership with the Open University, Scottish students can now apply for the...

OCA Fine Art: Student Stories – Shirry Insole

Posted: 09/04/26 04:36
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artist residency collaboration digital pedagogy online learning sustaining practice

By Hayley Lock

Fine Art Programme Tutor, Hayley Lock, discusses the student journey so far with Shirry...

OCA Student Stories: Anna Pike

Posted: 19/03/26 03:31
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creativity degree digital pedagogy exhibition online learning painting

By Emma Drye

Stage 3 BA (Hons) Painting student Anna Pike is currently preparing to exhibit at...

OCA News: Lifelong Learning Entitlement

Posted: 16/03/26 11:13
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degree funding lifelong learning

By Craig Dewis

Funding for studies is changing. Radically. And yet just over 1 in 10 people...

OCA News: Martin ‘Fred’ Bates – A Tribute.

Posted: 04/03/26 09:38
2 Comments

By Christian Lloyd

Martin ‘Fred’ Bates, our Director of Teaching and Programme Tutor on the Graphic Design...

OCA Drawing: Showcase

Posted: 11/02/26 09:51
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creativity degree digital pedagogy online learning showcase sustaining practice

By Emma Drye

We are pleased to share a showcase of work from the BA (Hons) Drawing...

OCA Student Stories: Beneath The Surface – Paul McGinty

Posted: 06/02/26 10:27
8 Comments

abstraction colour digital pedagogy exhibition history narrative

By Emma Drye

Stage 3 BA (Hons) Painting student Paul McGinty is currently exhibiting at the Adam...

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The Open College of the Arts' blog

Latest Posts

Student Story: 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

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to Student Finance Wales

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to Student Finance England

Funding Your Creativity: A Guide to the SAAS Part-Time Fee Grant

OCA Fine Art: Student Stories – Shirry Insole

OCA Student Stories: Anna Pike

OCA News: Lifelong Learning Entitlement

OCA News: Martin ‘Fred’ Bates – A Tribute.

OCA Drawing: Showcase

OCA Student Stories: Beneath The Surface – Paul McGinty