Open College of the Arts
The Open College of the Arts is a UK-based institution that offers a range of courses in art and creative subjects. As one of the leading open universities, the college provides flexible and accessible education to students worldwide. With a focus on practical skills and techniques, the courses cover a variety of disciplines, including drawing, painting, photography, and graphic design. In addition, the college offers French language schools for those looking to improve their language skills. Whether you are looking to pursue a career in the arts or simply develop your creative abilities, the Open College of the Arts provides a supportive and stimulating environment for learning.
Introduction to Open College of the Arts
Open College of the Arts is a unique institution that was founded in the late 1980s. They are part of the Open Universities, which means that they offer flexible and accessible education to anyone who wants to pursue their creative passions. Their purpose is to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue their dreams in art and creative industries. Open College of the Arts is unique because they offer a wide range of courses, from drawing lessons to French language schools, and they have a commitment to making art education accessible to everyone.Services & Products
The Open College of the Arts offers a variety of services to their students. They offer courses in fine art, graphic design, photography, and creative writing. They also offer certificate and diploma programs in these areas. In addition to their courses, they offer one-on-one tutoring in specific areas of study and career development services.Location
Open College of the Arts is located in Barnstaple, England. The area is known for its beautiful countryside and charming villages. Barnstaple is a bustling town with a variety of businesses, including a mix of small independent shops and larger chain stores. The town is easily accessible by public transportation, with the nearest train station just a short walk away. The three closest public transportation options are the Barnstaple Train Station (0.3 miles), the Barnstaple Bus Station (0.5 miles), and the Barnstaple Park and Ride (1 mile).Benefits
Open College of the Arts stands out from other art schools because of their commitment to making art education accessible to everyone. They offer flexible learning options, one-on-one tutoring, and career development services to help their students succeed. Their courses are designed to be practical and hands-on, with a focus on developing real-world skills that can be applied in the workplace. They also have a strong community of alumni and supporters who are passionate about the arts.Good to know
Students should be aware that Open College of the Arts is a distance-learning institution, which means that most of their courses are conducted online. However, they do offer in-person tutoring and workshops, and some courses require in-person attendance. Students should also be aware that the courses are self-directed, which means that they will need to be self-motivated and disciplined to succeed.Reviews
Students who have taken courses at Open College of the Arts have praised the institution for its flexibility and accessibility. Many have appreciated the one-on-one tutoring and career development services, which have helped them to achieve their goals in the creative industries. Some have found the courses challenging, but ultimately rewarding, and have praised the quality of the teaching and support from the faculty. Overall, the reviews of Open College of the Arts are positive, with many students recommending the institution to others who are interested in pursuing a career in the arts.FAQ
What degree programs does your open university offer?
Our open university offers various degree programs in the fields of visual arts, creative writing, music, and design. We provide both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including BA (Hons), BFA (Hons), MA, and MFA programs.What levels of proficiency do your courses cater to?
Our courses cater to all levels of proficiency, from beginners to advanced students. We offer courses for those who are just starting out and want to explore a new creative field, as well as courses for experienced artists who want to further develop their skills and techniques.What is the background and experience of your French language instructors?
Our French language instructors are all highly qualified and experienced professionals who are native speakers of the language. They have advanced degrees in French language and literature, as well as extensive experience teaching the language to students of all levels.What type of art classes do you offer?
We offer a wide range of art classes, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and digital media. Our classes are designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the techniques and principles of their chosen medium, as well as opportunities to experiment and develop their own unique artistic style.How much experience do your students typically have?
Our students come from all backgrounds and skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced professionals. We welcome anyone who has an interest in the arts and a desire to learn and grow as an artist. Our courses are designed to accommodate students of all levels, and our instructors provide individualized attention and support to help each student reach their full potential.Reviews
-
Adi Cojan
24-05-2023
-
Juliet Ferguson
Excellent courses and good value. The material and tuition is consistently high.
22-05-2023
-
Anna Vye
Amazing course for anyone who is interested in dabbling in psychogeography, photography, all kinds of other -ographies, and generally for anyone who wants to broaden their creative and academic horizons!
20-05-2023
-
Catherine Levey
I have studied with OCA since 2016 and have developed from a fairly beginner level at drawing and painting to a standard I am really proud of. I hope to graduate with the BA Hons Painting later this year, and have a solo and group show coming up. The course materials are stimulating and the regular tutor reviews help me to develop. The Painting department is very well led and the tutors are enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Contact with the other students is also available with online meetings and groups, and study visits now back in person as well as some online. It has been very flexible around my work and children. I'm really glad I did this degree, it has not been easy at times but the hard work pays off. I would highly recommend them.
27-03-2023
-
Shy Ann Nettleford
Tried to withdraw from my course and got charged for the rest of the courses I did not even take. Would not recommend and the tutors don't even help you. Seems like a scam.
27-12-2022
-
Julius Smit
I was a student on the ten week course 'Investigating Place: Journeys with Psychogeography,' which ran from October to December 2022. The course explored concepts and methods of psychogeography and how these could be applied to each student's investigation of a particular place of their own choosing. As students, we were encouraged to use any artistic method in our projects and as the course progressed, it became clear that a lot of exciting work was being produced. There were four Zoom conference sessions with the excellent tutor, who also at each stage of the course gave constructive and helpful comments as the projects progressed. I have been involved in aspects of psychogeography for about eight years and I signed up for this course in order to broaden and further develop my interest and work in this activity. I was not disappointed. There were sixteen students on the course and there were opportunities for discussion and comment on each of our projects. The ten weeks slipped by too quickly and I would have loved to have spent longer with the subject! However, I came away from the course with many ideas and prompts for future work which is exciting. If anyone is interested in exploring psychogeography; what it is, what it could be, and how it can be applied, I have no hesitation in recommending this course. It can certainly change your ideas about how a place is viewed and experienced, whether it's physical, virtual or imaginary! I came away from the course having produced a physical and online photography/poetry zine called BORDERLINE, as per the image. More work is now in the pipeline!
27-12-2022
-
rice
The Open College of the Arts is best known for providing very flexible art degrees. However, if you would like to complete your degree within 4 years, I do not recommend this school. Their services are extremely slow, and I found that I would have to rely on other students for support instead. Their curriculum for some courses are being updated too, but they're releasing the units one at a time which pushes students back even further. Only a month within my course, the school announced that they were changing their accredited university to the Open University instead of University for the Creative Arts. I submitted a complaint hoping for consideration of a refund (I was only a month into my studies) only to be declined. I can't help but feel they did not properly consider my situation and see that it was obvious that it was because of them that I was forced to withdraw. Apart from that, I enjoyed the curriculum, though their strength is more on fine arts than graphic design (less industry focused, more independent practice). Tutor support is mainly good, but this depends on your tutor which can significantly vary. Like I mentioned, student support / services are very slow, so do not expect an immediate response. I recommend for people with other responsibilities or for those who do not consider school as their main responsibility.
27-09-2022
-
Emma Arandjelović
Having completed the music degree, I highly recommend the music courses. The course material is well structured and the tutors are very engaged and supportive. There are also opportunities to get involved in creative workshops and collaborations (both online and in person), so distance learning doesn't have to be lonely!
27-07-2022
-
Joanne Wright
My daughter started a course last year, and withdrew very early after the complete lack of support. She put in an official complaint in November last year and contacted Craig Dewis by letter a couple of months ago (sent signed for) and heard absolutely nothing. It’s a disgrace. My daughter is a disabled student and when she requested more support, they invited her to go another University to get it. Still waiting for a a reply! 😡😡😡
27-07-2022
-
Di Collins
Was a good experience. Had I been new to learning online Im. Amy have felt a bit overwhelmed.For me, it was OK
27-05-2022
