Open College of the Arts in profile
The Open College of the Arts is a university. Profile, courses, entry and funding at a glance.
About Open College of the Arts
The Open College of the Arts is a university.
It is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so its degrees are nationally recognised. It is based in Unit 1b, Redbrook Business Park Wilthorpe Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S75 1JN.
Numbers & facts
The key facts about Open College of the Arts at a glance.
Applying from school or college
With A-levels, Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers, a BTEC, T-level, IB or another accepted Level 3 route, you apply to Open College of the Arts through UCAS, up to five choices in one application, by the late-January equal-consideration deadline. Offers are usually conditional on your predicted grades, confirmed on results day.
Returning to study
If you're 21+ or don't have traditional qualifications, Open College of the Arts considers an Access to HE Diploma, relevant work experience and contextual factors. Many courses also offer a part-time route, and a foundation year can bridge the gap where entry requirements aren't yet met.
Applying from outside the UK
International applicants apply to Open College of the Arts through UCAS too, with an English-language qualification (typically IELTS) and international fee status. An International Foundation Year is a common entry route if your qualifications aren't a direct match.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Programmes at Open College of the Arts
12 programmes at Open College of the Arts. Search live or filter by subject, level and study mode:
| Course | Award | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Arts | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Creative Writing | BA (Hons) | English & Literature |
| Drawing | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Fine Art | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Graphic Design | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Illustration | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Interior Design | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Music | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Painting | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Photography | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Textiles | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
| Visual Communications | BA (Hons) | Art & Design |
No course found. Browse courses at every UK university.
Complete programme list for Open College of the Arts; full-time, part-time and delivery variants are grouped (12 programmes, 2026).
Campus & locations
Open College of the Arts is a campus-based university in South Yorkshire.
Teaching runs on campus: lectures, seminars and labs alongside libraries and study spaces, with a student community of societies, sport and events around them. The day-to-day exchange with tutors and coursemates is a big part of the experience.
Typical campus facilities; the university’s own pages are authoritative.
Is Open College of the Arts right for you?
A particularly good fit if you …
- want a recognised UK degree with student finance eligibility
- like the idea of student life in South Yorkshire
- prefer campus teaching with societies, sport and people around you
Less suitable if …
you need a fully flexible, distance-learning degree alongside a job. Check whether the individual programme offers online or part-time study.
For parents
The questions parents ask most about Open College of the Arts, answered briefly.
A recognised UK degree
Open College of the Arts awards its own degrees and is regulated in the UK higher-education framework. Its degrees are nationally recognised and a basis for postgraduate study.
Regulated fees & student finance
Home tuition is regulated, with the cap set by the UK nation. If you normally live in England, eligible tuition and maintenance loans can cover costs up front; repayment starts only above the income threshold.
A clear, structured route
Fixed term structure, defined assessment rules and academic support give orientation from day one.
Support from day one
Personal tutors, wellbeing and careers services accompany students from enrolment to graduation.
Career prospects
Graduate outcomes are tracked in the national Graduate Outcomes survey. Every course page here shows real earnings and employment data where available.
Structure & campus life
A fixed term rhythm in South Yorkshire with in-person teaching, exchange and campus life gives structure and motivation.
Accreditation & recognition
How to read Open College of the Arts’s formal standing, the seals and what they mean:
Open College of the Arts awards its own degrees, which are accepted nationally and are the basis for Master’s and doctoral study.
Courses at recognised providers may qualify for tuition and maintenance support; eligibility depends on the student, course and home-nation system.
Admissions & entry routes
Fees & funding
Home tuition at Open College of the Arts is regulated, and the cap depends on the UK nation the provider sits in. The main routes:
Tuition Fee Loan
Eligibility and the maximum depend on ordinary residence, course and provider nation; paid directly to the university when awarded.
Maintenance Loan
Helps with living costs; the amount depends on household income and where you study.
Scholarships & bursaries
University-specific awards for grades, subjects or circumstances. Check the university’s funding pages.
Repayment
Starts the April after graduation, only above the income threshold, and is written off at the end of the plan term.
Tuition fees vary by course and fee status (Home vs International). Please check the university's own course page.
Frequently asked questions about Open College of the Arts
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