Fees and Enrolment
ENROLMENT DATES
When is the next enrolment date for this course?
METHODS OF ENROLMENT
How can I enrol for this course?
FEES
How much will the individual course cost?
Are there any additional costs for overseas students?
Do I have to pay more if I want to meet my tutor for face to face feedback?
Can I claim a discount if I am not intending to put my work in for assessment?
How much does a full degree cost?
PAYMENT BY INSTALMENTS
Can I pay the course fee by instalments?
What happens if I am unable to keep up with my payments?
HELP WITH FEES
If I am studying for a first degree, can I get help with paying fees?
Can those leaving the Armed Services get any help with fees?
STUDENT FINANCE AWARDS
What type of funding is on offer?
Who is eligible?
Does it matter where I live in the UK?
How much grant funding might I receive?
Is there any additional support for people with disabilities?
Can I still apply if I am already part way through my degree with the OCA?
Is there anyone I can speak to with further queries?
What should I do if I want to apply?
LEARNER SUPPORT FUND
Does the OCA offer any grants for those unable to meet the full costs?
Is everyone eligible to apply?
How does the OCA decide who to give Bursaries to?
How much would I get if I was awarded a Bursary?
How do I apply for a Bursary?
Other than Bursaries, does the Learner Support Scheme provide any other types of support?
What are the eligibility criteria for other types of support available through the Learner Support Scheme?
Can I appeal against the decision by the Bursary Committee?
Are there any other (non-OCA) sources of funding which I may be able to apply for?
REFUNDS
Can I obtain a refund if I am dissatisfied with the course?
Can I obtain a refund if I am unable to continue with the course?
ENROLMENT DATES
When is the next enrolment date for this course?
The OCA operates a totally flexible approach to enrolments. You can enrol on any working day and start your course within a few days of making your payment (see this section) and receiving the course materials.
Back to questionsMETHODS OF ENROLMENT
How can I enrol on a course?
Enrolling couldn't be simpler. Once you have decided on your course, all you need to do is click 'Add to course builder' on the relevant course page. The on-screen instructions will guide you through the rest of the process.
You can pay by Access/Mastercard, Visa, Switch, Maestro or Delta, or by cheque payable to ‘Open College of the Arts'.
If you are paying by credit or debit card, you can also enrol by telephone – just call us on 0800 731 2116.
You can also download an enrolment form HERE and post or fax it back to us. The fax number is 01226 730838.
Before enrolling please read the conditions of enrolment here: OCA's Conditions of Enrolment.
If you are not sure which course is the right one for you, please give us a ring on 0800 731 2116 to discuss your options.
FEES
How much will the course cost?
Enrolling on single courses:
- For level 1 (40 credit) open learning courses the price is £625.
- For level 2 and level 3 (60 credit) open learning courses the price is £745.
There is a 5% discount for full level enrolments (e.g. three level 1 courses, or two level 2 or level 3 courses):
- Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE) - (3 level 1 courses, 120 credits): £1780
- Top-up to Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) - (2 level 2 courses, 120 credits): £1415
- Top-up to BA (Hons) degree - (2 level 3 courses, 120 credits): £1415
Are there any additional costs for overseas students?
The course supplements for students studying outside the UK will be £100 for students in the EU and £150 for students outside of the EU.
Back to questionsDo I have to pay more if I want to meet my tutor for face to face feedback?
As our costs are a little higher for face to face feedback we charge a small supplement (currently £50) over the price of the course for distance learning students. .
Back to questionsCan I claim a discount if I am not intending to put my work in for assessment?
No. The cost of the course remains the same irrespective of whether a student's work is put forward for submission.
Back to questionsHow much does a full degree cost?
At present (November 2011) a full degree would cost £4,855, made up as follows:
- 3 x Level 1 (HE4) courses @ £625 = £1,875
- 2 x Level 2 (HE5) courses @ £745 = £1,490
- 2 x Level 3 (HE6) courses @ £745 = £1,490
Price adjustments are typically introduced in the summer of each year.
PAYMENT BY INSTALMENTS
Can I pay the course fee by instalments?
Yes, paying by instalments is a good way of spreading the burden if students cannot pay the full price up front. The instalment prices incorporate a small administration fee (currently £35) but remain excellent value for money.
- For students on Level 1 courses the deposit is £285, with five monthly instalments of £75.
- For Level 2 and 3 courses the deposit is £330, with six monthly instalments of £75.
- The face to face supplement, where applicable, is payable with the deposit.
If you have a UK bank account we will send you a Direct Debit Mandate form to complete and return to us. Otherwise your monthly instalments should be paid by credit card, cheque or bank transfer.
Back to questionsWhat happens if I am unable to keep up with my payments?
If you have difficulty meeting your payments it is essential that you contact us immediately. We always try hard to find a way to resolve any difficulties that may arise.
However, if students default on their payments and do not keep us in the picture, we reluctantly pass the case on to our debt collection agency. But remember that we are an arts education charity so any money owed to us has a negative impact on our ability to develop new courses and award bursaries to those with hardships.
HELP WITH FEES
If I am studying for a first degree, can I get help with paying fees?
If you are resident in England, do not have a 1st degree, and have a household income of less that £28,000 you may be eligible to claim Fee and Course grants for degree courses (Creative Arts, Photography, Painting) from Student Finance England. Please check the relevant page on their website for further information: Student Finance England Please note that funding is not available for leisure learners undertaking single modules.
We hope to have funding in place for other UK regions in the near future. Please check the OCA website for funding updates.
Can those leaving the Armed Services get any help with fees?
If you are a member of the Armed Services and have served a minimum 4 years you may be entitled to funding for our degree courses through the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme. Please see here for further details: Courses4Forces.
Back to questionsSTUDENT FINANCE AWARDS
What type of funding is on offer?
The funding made available by these arrangements is an award, not a loan - hence does not have to be repaid. There are two elements to the grant, namely the fee grant - to help with course fees; and the course grant - to help with associated costs such as books, materials and travel.
Back to questionsWho is eligible?
Students must live in defined parts of the UK (see next section) and should not already hold a degree.
Eligibility depends on being registered on a full degree (i.e. BA Hons in Creative Arts, Painting, Photography, Creative Writing or Textiles). Simply registering for a single OCA course (module) - or even a level - will not be sufficient.
In order to qualify for support, part time HE courses must not take more than twice as long as the equivalent full time course to complete. Thus OCA students claiming Student Finance grants would have to complete their degree courses within 6 years. This does put a constraint on the OCA's general position which is that students have up to two years to complete each course (module).
Back to questionsDoes it matter where I live in the UK?
Yes, it does. Thus far, OCA has acquired Specific Designation status from Student Finance England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, due to the different funding arrangements for HE in Scotland, OCA students there are (sadly) not eligible.
Back to questionsHow much grant funding might I receive?
As funding is means tested, the actual amount awarded is based on your own individual circumstances. In very general terms, where the household income is less than £16,845, both a fee grant and a course grant would probably be payable. At the other extreme, where household income is higher than £28,066 neither grant would be payable at all. There are several steps between these two positions, however. And it's important to bear in mind that students will still be responsible for meeting the balance between the grant awarded and the OCA fees for the course (module).
Our understanding is that, where students are living with a partner, the partner's income is taken into account. However, where younger students are living at home with their parents, parental income is not part of the calculation.
Please note that all funding decisions will be taken by SFE, SFW and SFNI - but not by OCA. The respective websites contain information on how the funding is assessed, so please look there first if you think you might be eligible.
For England: CLICK HERE
Wales: CLICK HERE
Northern Ireland: CLICK HERE
Is there any additional support for people with disabilities?
Yes, students with disabilities or additional needs may qualify for support via the Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs). CLICK HERE for more information
Back to questionsCan I still apply if I am already part way through my degree with the OCA?
Yes. Even though grants cannot be back dated, those students already on full degree courses will be eligible to apply for Student Finance for the remaining courses (modules) on their degree programme.
Back to questionsIs there anyone I can speak to with further queries?
We strongly recommend you to look at the relevant Student Finance website first; and please bear in mind that we cannot give you any promise that you will (or will not qualify), let alone give you an estimate as to how much you might qualify for. However, if you have any questions about the OCA arrangements, please speak to Lee Openshaw in the first instance, or - in his absence - Dee Whitmore. Both can be contacted via our Freephone number 0800 731 2116.
Back to questionsWhat should I do if I want to apply
If you are confident about your eligibility, the starting point is to download the application form from the relevant Student Finance scheme. You should then complete as much of the form as you can and send this, together with the supporting documentation, to Dee Whitmore at OCA Head Office. You should also send your OCA enrolment form, and specify not only the degree (e.g. BA Hons Painting) for which you are applying, but also the specific modules you are proposing to study at each level.
Once we have received your papers, we will fill in Section 6 (reserved for the course provider) and then send it off to the relevant Student Finance scheme.
Back to questionsLEARNER SUPPORT FUND
Does the OCA offer any grants for those unable to meet the full costs?
Yes. The OCA has a Learner Support Fund which provides additional support for prospective students who can demonstrate commitment and potential - but who face financial or other practical constraints from enrolling in the usual way.
The Scheme provides tangible evidence of the OCA's charitable purpose and commitment to equality of opportunity. We receive no state funding at all (unlike UK universities, including the Open University) but the Trustees have nevertheless set aside an annual sum to be allocated through the Fund.
Is everyone eligible to apply?
Yes, the scheme is open to everyone who feels they have a case (e.g. through a disability or financial hardship), provided they are UK (or EU) residents and do not already have a degree or equivalent qualification.
Please note that those students who are planning to go on for a full degree may be eligible for support through Student Finance - see the FAQ on Student Finance Awards. The Bursary Committee would expect students to go down this route first, before applying for an OCA Bursary.
The definition of EU residence is ‘someone who, for the last 3 years, has either been settled in the UK or has been resident in the UK, European Union or Switzerland'. Please contact the Academic Services team if you are not sure whether you would qualify. Given the pressure on this budget, we are not currently able to consider applications from other overseas students.
How does the OCA decide who to give Bursaries to?
When your completed form is received, the scheme administrator will review it to check there is nothing missing. She may contact you at this point to advise you to make good any gaps. Please don't interpret this as a signal that, provided you supply the missing item(s) you will necessarily be successful: the administrator will simply be doing her job and trying to ensure the Committee has a complete picture when it comes to making their decision.
The Bursary Committee is chaired by the OCA's Chief Executive and includes 3 other senior managers. The scheme administrator is not a member of the committee, so please do not blame them if you are unhappy with the decision!
How much would I get if I was awarded a Bursary?
The cash value of the Bursary will never be less than £100 and never more than £525 (for Level 1 courses) or £645 (for Level 2 and 3 courses). Please note that Bursaries never cover the full cost of courses; in other words, students will always have to find some of the funding themselves.
Awards tend to be towards the lower end of the continuum, other than in exceptional cases. Given the pressure on this budget - and the absence of any state funding at all – we try to ensure that as many people as possible are able to derive some benefit from the scheme.
How do I apply for a Bursary?
Please complete the Bursary Scheme application form. This is printed at the end of the guidance booklet which is downloadable from the OCA website – to download it, click here: Learner Support Scheme booklet
If you need an additional printed copy, please ring the Academic Services team on 0800 731 2116.
Other than Bursaries, does the Learner Support Scheme provide any other types of support?
Yes. These are four other types of support available through the Learner Support Scheme:
- help with attending OCA workshops and exhibitions for those with disabilities and/or financial hardship
- help with the costs of posting and packaging exceptional items for those in financial hardship
- help with providing arts consumables for students in custodial institutions
- contributions to projects aimed at widening participation in OCA courses or undertaking research and developmental work to improve student support.
What are the eligibility criteria for other types of support available through the Learner Support Scheme?
The criteria for ad hoc support are similar to those for Bursaries. In short:
- applications are limited to those who do not hold an HE qualification already
- applicants should have lived within the UK or EU for the 3 preceding years
- applicants should seek support from alternative sources first. In practice this means that support under the OCA’s Learner Support Scheme is more likely to be relevant for personal development learners than undergraduates since the latter can apply for support from Finance England (or Wales or Northern Ireland).
Can I appeal against the decision by the Bursary Committee?
No. The decisions of the Bursaries Committee are final. In making your application, you accept that the OCA will not enter into debate or correspondence about the decision.
Back to questionsAre there any other (non-OCA) sources of funding which I may be able to apply for?
Those students who are planning to go on for a full degree may be eligible for support through Student Finance - see the FAQ on Student Finance Awards.
We only have a working knowledge of other potential funding sources. In practice, your best bet would be to contact the (free) Next Step service on 0800 100 900. The relevant page on their website is: HERE.
They also have an email service (links on the same web page).
See also briefing materials from NIACE (the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education), downloadable by clicking here: Sources of Funding for Adults and the government's own website at:
direct.gov.uk.
For more details on the scheme, please click here.
Back to questionsREFUNDS
Can I obtain a refund if I am dissatisfied with the course?
If the OCA materials do not meet your requirements, return the package in full, securely packed, by recorded delivery to arrive at the OCA within 14 days of receipt. We will refund your payment in full, or credit your account, provided that the materials arrive at the OCA in perfect condition.
Once you have enrolled and after the 14 days have elapsed - the materials belong to you and are non-refundable. If you wish to withdraw within 30 days of the receipt of the materials, we will refund course fees, less the amount of the deposit in the price list.
Beyond 30 days, no refunds can be made and all outstanding fees must be paid within agreed timescales.
Can I obtain a refund if I am unable to continue with the course?
If circumstances arise where you feel you are unable to continue with your course, please contact OCA immediately. OCA staff will discuss your situation with you and may suggest various options, including deferring your studies until you feel you are able to continue.
If it is clear that continuation is not an option you may request a partial refund. Each request will be considered on its own merits and must be accompanied by supporting evidence.
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