OCA has two methods of tutoring students: one in which you meet your tutor face-to-face, and the other where you are tutored by post.

What is an OCA course like?

You get lots of advice from course material written by a leading specialist. This contains examples, illustrations, exercises and supplementary materials carefully structured to develop practical skills and your way of looking at the world.

All artists develop by practising their technical and observational skills. To get the most out of your course you need to be able to work regularly over an extended period. If you want to have your work assessed for a degree or other qualification, then you may have to increase those hours of study to get your folio to a higher standard. You can start at any time of year and pace the course to suit your personal circumstances.

Tutorial arrangements vary from course to course, but you will be in contact with your tutor at regular intervals. Postal students send their assignments for a written report, whilst face-to-face students meet their tutor with their work to discuss its progress. Your choice of tutorial method should suit your personal circumstances, but all methods are designed to provide close and detailed support.

Postal tuition

You are allocated a tutor and receive their details in your course pack. You work from the course materials and send regular assignments to your tutor by post. These are returned to you with comment and advice. This form of tuition is available for all courses except Sculpture.

Face-to-face tuition

You select a tutor within travelling distance to you. You get an agreed number of hours tuition during the course. Tutors operate from their own studios or other suitable teaching space, agreeing mutually convenient times for your meetings. Where appropriate, and with student consent, small groups of students may be formed from individual enrolments, increasing contact time with your tutor. Tuition locations can be obtained by contacting Student Services on 0800 731 2116.

Finding the right level of study / direct entry

OCA courses are organised into levels of difficulty. Complete beginners or more experienced students can take our Level 0 or Level 1 courses with equal confidence. An increasing number of students come to us having developed folios of work through other forms of study. For them it’s possible to enter our courses at a higher level: direct entry. If you’d like to enrol in this way, then you need to feel confident about your work so far. You’ll also need more information and advice.

Details of each course and their direct entry requirements, are contained in OCA course information sheets which can be sent to you quickly on request by contacting Student Services on 0800 731 2116 or by visiting our website at www.oca-uk.com.

Record of Completion

At the end of the course you will receive our Record of Completion, and in many cases you can go on to more advanced study.

Studying at home

Click here for an information sheet on studying at home - OCA's guide to studying at Home.