Choosing a course

• Select 'Courses' from the Main Menu at the top of the page.
• Select the area of study which interests you from the Courses menu on the left of the page.
• Select the individual Course page from the options presented.
• Where applicable, a link to the Face-to-Face tuition page is also available.
  

How to enrol

Once you have decided on the course you wish to study and the type of tuition (where applicable) you must now…

• If you have not already done so, Register on the website by clicking on the ‘Register’ button in the top navigation bar, and enter the details that are then requested (See 'How to Register on the OCA website' )
• Make sure that you are logged in, and go to the course you wish to enrol on and click the ‘Buy Course’ button at the foot of the page. Follow the instructions given on the page.

Repeat this process if you wish to enrol on more courses.

FAQS

When will my course materials arrive?
If paying by credit/debit card – within 3 working days of cleared payment. If paying by cheque – within 8 working days of cleared payment.

Can I have my course materials sent to any address?
Yes, but if you want materials sent to a Post Office, you must give the full name of the postmaster / mistress with their permission.

Who accredits your courses?
Bucks New University - www.bucks.ac.uk.

Are there price discounts if a friend or more than one member of a family wants to do a course at the same time?
Yes. Each person can have £100 discount off the course price. You may not combine this deduction with any other OCA discount.

Are there lower age limits?
No, but if you are still in full-time education, discuss things with your school or college before enrolling, to be sure that your course will not take time from other studies.

Can I purchase more vouchers for my face-to-face tuition?
Yes - extra vouchers can be purchased.

Can I contact my tutor between assignments / tutorials?
OCA tutors are practising artists, writers or designers who work for OCA part-time. They may have other work commitments and will advise you when they can be contacted.

I’m thinking of going on to full or part-time study at a college after my time with OCA. Can you give me some advice?
Many students have done this using their OCA portfolio of work. Sometimes credits you have accumulated with OCA can be transferred to another institution. The earlier you discuss your plans with your tutor or with OCA’s Academic Office, the better. You should also contact the college you want to go to at an early date to check their requirements.

What educational level are OCA courses?
All of our courses (with the exception of those at Level 0) are accredited at Higher Education levels 4 to 6.

Can I get a recognised qualification at the end of the course?
If you satisfactorily complete the course you will receive an OCA Record of Completion. If your course is accredited and your work passes an assessment, you can then apply for the CATS points to put towards a Certificate, Diploma or a BA Hons Degree.

What do I do if I can’t complete the course within the given time guide?
The time guides are only suggested. You have 2 years from the date of your enrolment to complete the course. If you require more time, contact Student Services.

Can you offer help to students with disabilities or health difficulties?
Studying at home, and at a pace that suits you should be helpful. Your tutor and OCA staff will help you get the best out of your course. Timetables can be extended and if standard print is hard to manage, there are large-print versions of some courses.
If you are dyslexic we may be able to adjust the course materials to compensate. For full details contact Student Services.

I have started my course but personal circumstances have meant I am unable to continue. Is it too late to withdraw from the course, can you help?
Personal circumstances change and unexpected situations arise. We do our best to accommodate you so you can continue the course later. Within 18 months of starting it you can apply to defer the course for up to a year. If you are more than 18 months into the course, write to us outlining the problem and we will try to help. Each case is looked at on an individual basis.

Technical help

If you have a persistent problem, please e-mail us at webmaster@oca-uk.com, telling us:

• The nature of your problem including details of any error messages you receive.
• The type and version of browser you are using
• Which platform you are using (Mac or PC etc.)

We will then try to fix any problems.