BA (Hons) in Visual Communications

Summary

With our open learning approach, the OCA’s Visual Communications degree (comprising of Graphic Design and Illustration courses) provides a real alternative to traditional campus-based learning. Our inspiring course materials enable you to work at your own pace, in your own time, and whenever you choose to study.

Degree overview

The BA (Hons) Visual communication course offers an accessible distance learning experience through which students are encouraged to develop a sense of visual inquiry, expand their horizons, and begin to find a personal creative voice within their practice. The course provides an interdisciplinary approach to study through which students can choose and explore a breadth of subjects, moving towards specialisms in graphic design, illustration or a combination of these subjects.

Degree aims

• To widen access to art and design education at the undergraduate level through Open and Flexible Learning.

• To provide an interdisciplinary course of study across graphic design and illustration through which students develop specialisms.

• To provide an intellectually stimulating programme of study based on high-quality study material and tutor support.

• To encourage the development of a personal and/or professional understanding of visual communication practices and to establish a personal creative voice within them.

• An opportunity for students to apply their skills, knowledge, and understanding creatively and within a range of appropriate contexts.

• To develop autonomous learners capable of applying intellectual and practical skills within employment, sole practice, further study, or life-long learning.

The creative sector employs 1.9 million people in the UK alone.

The Design Council’s Industry Insights Report 2010 highlights that 87% of design consultants employ less than 10 staff, supporting the view that emerging designers need to have the skills to be able to work in small teams and to be able to establish themselves in small businesses and as freelancers. This degree aims to prepare students to become visual communicator professionals and autonomous learners, capable of applying their intellectual and creative skills in a chosen area of employment, further study, or life-long learning.

Our Story

The Open College of the Arts was founded in 1987 by Michael Young, Lord Young of Dartington, the driving force behind numerous citizen-centred and educational initiatives such as the Consumers Association, the National Extension College and the Open University.

Young’s original vision was to offer the general public the chance to take high-quality arts courses by distance learning education, without prior qualifications or restrictions. He saw the OCA as a means of transforming people’s lives, giving them the opportunity and skills to express their creative talents under the guidance of professional artists. We still live by those values.

Today the OCA is a thriving educational charity whose charitable purpose is to widen participation in arts education. Over 2000 students each year now study creative and visual arts courses and degrees by open learning with us. OCA strategy is determined by a Board of Trustees. Our head offices are on the site of a former colliery in Barnsley, South Yorkshire and all of our tutors work from their homes or studios.

OCA is part of the University for the Creative Arts

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is one of the UK’s leading specialist universities offering a range of courses in art, architecture, communications, design and media across five campuses in the South East of England. Graduates include Zandra Rhodes, Karen Millen and Tracey Emin.On 1 November 2016, the Open College of the Arts became part of the University for the Creative Arts. This merger built on a close working relationship established in 2010.

The Students’ Association (OCASA)

When you enrol you become part of the OCA Student Association (OCASA), who acts as the voice of students. The college takes student representation seriously. The OCASA president attends our board meetings so the student's voice is heard at the highest levels.