Open College of the Arts

We are the Open College of the Arts, an open access, distance learning provider of higher education courses based in Barnsley. We were created by Michael Young in 1987, one of the founders of the Open University, to offer high quality arts courses as a means to transform lives, with the opportunity to develop and express creative talents under the guidance of experienced artists. An OCA qualification, be that a degree, Certificate or Diploma in Higher Education, or undergraduate credit, can be a huge achievement for many and opens the doors to new careers, or new lifestyles built around the arts. Over 2000 people study with us every year as part of a truly global community representing 67 nationalities worldwide on 13 degree programmes and one Masters. We reach people in every walk of life, with over 20% of our students having a declared disability, and many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and with no qualifications. And we will continue to work to ensure that more students than ever before have the opportunity to access Higher Education, focussing on improving access for BAME students, and from the poorest areas in society. Our students come from every walk of life imaginable, fitting work, family, caring responsibilities and everything else alongside study and more besides. Joining OCA is joining that community. A community of peers, students and tutors working together, offering encouragement, creative criticism, hints, tips, sharing ideas. A community investing time, running events, social media groups, meet-ups in places as diverse as London and Glasgow, Newport and Scunthorpe. Our charitable mission is to be at the forefront of student-led creative arts education through open, enhanced, and supported distance learning, for an evolving society.