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Creative Arts courses

The Open University now offers a broad range of qualifications and courses in the creative arts. These online courses are available through our college dedicated to the creative arts, The Open College of the Arts.

Choose from part-time distance learning courses in graphic design, photography, painting, drawing, illustration, interior design, and textiles.

On this page: Undergraduate courses | Postgraduate courses | Arts foundation courses | Short courses | Contact The Open College of the Arts
 
 
 
 

From August 2023, all Open College of the Arts honours and masters degrees will be accredited by The Open University.

To learn more about our creative arts courses through The Open College of the Arts, and how to apply, visit the The Open College of the Arts website or click on a course link below.

Undergraduate Creative Arts courses

Choose from our subject-specific art degrees if you have a particular discipline you’re passionate about. Alternatively, The Open College of the Arts BA (Hons) Creative Arts degree provides an exciting opportunity if you’re looking to explore two or more creative arts practices.

Illustration of graphic design

BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Explore the creative world around you with our graphic design degree, and develop your unique graphic design practice.

 
Photographic illustration

BA (Hons) Photography

Our highly popular online photography degree will help you advance in (or even begin!) your photographic journey.

 
An example of a ba hons painting student's work

BA (Hons) Painting

Our online painting degree helps you develop your core skills, methods and approaches in the many practices of painting.

 
Illustration of drawing

BA (Hons) Drawing

Question your ideas of what drawing can be on our online drawing degree, and discover your creative potential.

 
 
Example of work created by a ba hons illustration student

BA (Hons) Illustration

Explore book, editorial, commercial and graphic novel illustration – and beyond! – on our broad-ranging illustration degree.

 
Artwork scribed on a beach

BA (Hons) Creative Arts

Explore our interdisciplinary creative arts degree to discover diverse art and design processes to develop your creative identity.

 
Illustration of ceramic art

BA (Hons) Fine Art

An online fine art degree sees you acknowledge and learn from tradition while pushing forward in contemporary practice.

 
An example of a ba hons textiles student's ribbon work

BA (Hons) Textiles

This online textiles degree offers a rich exploration of surface, pattern, texture and materials in many forms.

 
 
Example or work produced by a ba hons visual communications student

BA (Hons) Visual Communications

This online degree will give you the skills and tools to communicate with any given audience.

 
An example of an interior design student's work

BA (Hons) Interior Design

Explore how you can discover the full potential of different spaces with this online interior design degree.

 

Postgraduate Creative Arts courses

Find your creative voice with one of The Open College of the Arts two-year online postgraduate courses.

Floor standing fine art exhibition

MA Fine Art

This online fine arts programme focuses on studio practice and developing your skills in your medium of choice.

 
Illustration of bird, flowers and leaves

MA in Graphic Design

Working on your chosen medium, this masters degree is available as a two-year part-time course.

Arts foundation courses

If degree study is new to you or you are uncertain where to start, we recommend you consider getting started with one of The Open College of the Arts Art Foundation courses. These courses will provide the building blocks you will need to start on a degree pathway, help to build your confidence, and familiarise you with the study skills you need to study from home.

Short Courses

Focusing on a single topic, these short courses run for 8–10 weeks. Designed and led by The Open College of the Arts expert tutors, you will go deep into a topic and develop expertise in topical issues.

 
 

Contact The Open College of the Arts

If you have any questions about creative arts courses with The Open College of the Arts, please get in touch with our enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1226 978330
Email: enquiries@oca.ac.uk

Or via The Open College of the Arts contact page.