"I would say that studying with OCA quite often acted as a point of stability, so while everything else in life was changing, it was good to have a linear path and clear goals on the Visual Communications course." Read about Visual communications graduate Holly's learning journey.

Is masculinity in crisis? Why does this idea seem to recur across different historical periods? What is it that is so seductive about the manosphere? Can its portrayal of women shape the way its audiences understand relationships and gender roles? These and other questions will be under the spotlight in the next edition of No Easy Answers, a monthly discussion group that provides all OCA students with a space to have their say on some of the hot topics and critical issues of

"Walking in the landscape and taking photos has always seemed a natural combination to me, but last year I kept leaving my camera at home because 'I've already photographed that' (though it didn't seem to matter that I'd 'already walked there'). Needing a boost, I decided to sign up for the 10-week OCA/RPS online course Investigating Place with Psychogeography." Read Sarah's course review.

Happy Earth Day 2026. This year’s OCASA Summer of Sustainability is going to be a bit different. A group of participating tutors, from across OCA courses, is going to hold an online ‘round-table’ discussion about what sustainability means to them, their practice or their specialism. To start the video series you can view the presentations by Graphic Design Programme Tutor Dr Emma Powell and Creative Arts Programme Tutor Katrina Whitehead.

Monarchy will be under the spotlight in April’s edition of No Easy Answers, a monthly discussion group that provides all OCA students with a space to have their say on some of the hot topics and critical issues of the day.

Read about OCA Alumna Nina's journey from student to staff member.

Welcome to OCA's Study Tips in 5 series. In this instalment we bring you five tips to embrace feedback with confidence. Embracing feedback with confidence is important for personal and academic growth.

I am Diane Goring, a recently completed BA Hons Fine Art student, having retired from Social Work I pursued my second passion, my love of art and have successfully completed my degree.

We are two BA Drawing students who have spent the past year developing three collaborative projects together. In this first post, we’re excited to share our response to Igor Stravinsky’s groundbreaking 1913 ballet score, The Rite of Spring.

Have your say in our Student Experience Survey, get involved in the Student Voice Festival in July and submit for the next issue of edge zine. Find out more below. Student Experience Survey 2026 OCA and the OCA Student Association (OCASA) is in the process of organising our Student Voice Festival 2026. In order to inform it we need your input. Right now we are collecting information regarding the student experience at OCA. We are sure that there are things that OCA can be doi

I am a Textiles student at the OCA in my early 20s, unemployed, part of the chronic illness community, hoping to have a career in Textiles.

"I'm retired currently a Photography Student at the OCA living in the Ashdown Forest in the UK with my family." Read about Jonathan's learning journey below.

"I am a Canadian software engineer in the pension industry, thinking about life after the office as I hit 50. I'm studying painting with the OCA." Read about Martin's learning journey in the post.

"Hi, I'm Sarah Jane, a mid 40's BA Hons Illustration student who works full time as a Chartered Surveyor in Suffolk." Read about Sarah Jane's learning journey in this post.

Happy 2026 everyone! If you would like to start the year with a sustainability-related resolution why not fill in the OCASA Sustainability: Project Audit Form.

For the last three years OCA's Joanne Mulvihill-Allen and Graphic Design PT Dr Emma Powell have organised a series of tutor-led sessions and activities as part of OCASA’s Summer of Sustainability. But in 2026 we are planning something a bit different...

Welcome to OCA's Study Tips in 5 series. In this instalment we bring you five tips to boost productivity and combat procrastination. Boosting your productivity and effectively combating procrastination involves understanding its root causes and implementing targeted strategies to overcome it.

UK Disability History Month (which this year runs from 20 November to 20 December) is an annual event to raise awareness about disabled people’s achievements.

Express your interest in being a Student Representative within OCA Governance. Student voice describes the way in which feedback and dialogue between students and staff at OCA can be captured, shared, and acted upon. We need you!

We’ve All Got the Blues is a travelling exhibition (2025-26) by ten OCA student artists spanning the UK, Sweden and Iceland. Find out about their collaboration here.