Access to higher education courses in painting and photography has been made easier by the Open College of the Arts with a flexible distance learning scheme accepting applicants of any qualification, at any time of year.

The degrees are offered at Certificate, Diploma and Degree level and are open to anyone. Students can enrol at any time of year and there are no set time limits for completing the course.

The announcement comes as Universities UK report a 12 per cent increase in applications for university places for the next academic year meaning students are competing harder than ever for entry to university courses.

Chief Executive at the Open College of the Arts said: “This month’s news of the 12 per cent increase in applications for university places in 2010/11 is an argument for moving to a more diverse model of delivery for students of all ages with the potential to study at a higher level.”

He continued: “OCA offers a different route into higher education for students with the desire and ambition to study for a creative arts subject, whether they are coming back into education after a long break, have no formal qualifications or are just finishing ‘A’ levels and struggle to find a place in their chosen subject later in the summer.”

The photography and painting degrees have seven modules and students will typically spend eight to ten hours a week over a 12 to 15-month period working on each module.

Individual study at home will be supplemented by peer debate through web forums moderated by tutors, blogs and optional practical workshops at venues around the country.

Assessment for both degrees will be through a combination of marked assignments, an individual learning log or blog, and a critical review or essay. Successful assessment at each of the three levels on all OCA courses attracts 120 points per level under the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATs).

Students can enrol for the undergraduate photography and painting courses early next year.

All OCA students can apply for grants from Student Finance England, and equivalent bodies in other UK countries, to help fund their studies. Financial assistance, including OCA bursaries, may also be available, depending on a student’s individual circumstances.

The painting and photography degree courses have been developed in partnership with Bucks New University, the validating higher education institution for all the OCA’s Certificate, Diploma and Honours degree courses.

The OCA also offers a BA Honours degree in the Creative Arts, which covers a broad spectrum of disciplines, including art history, composing music, creative writing, fine art, photography and textiles.

The OCA is an educational charity founded in 1987 by Lord Young of Dartington, Michael Young, to widen access to creative arts education at undergraduate and graduate levels.

Emily Crane