Hello, I'm Helen, semi-retired, I live in West Yorkshire, working part-time as a finance director and trustee in the Charity/Arts sector.

Hello! I'm Jade. I'm 29, from Chesterfield, and I work full time as an Educational Content Lead. I am on the OCA Illustration degree.

I am a musician based in North Yorkshire, with a career behind me of teaching, performing and composing. I am currently studying Music.

OCA were really welcoming and offered the perfect blend of practice and academia with a friendly supportive culture.

BA Hons Graphic Design Student Joanna Mayes speaks to their experience of studying with the OCA during this Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

My sort of neurodiversity is an invisible disability, and one that varies based on the weather conditions, the environment, what I’m doing,

OCA Music student Laura Iseley Music Student on their commission for Viv Gordon Company for zebra day 2025 - Dazzling.

Creative Writing - a view from the finishing line by OCA Graduate Peter la Trobe-Bateman, BA (Hons).

I'm really happy and enthusiastic about my studies at the OCA. I haven't encountered any major challenges, but I've learned a lot so far.

"Having started working as a semi-pro musician in my early teens, I paid little attention to academic work until I retired."

I couldn't afford the deposit for my first OCA course so I sold my American Fender and now I'm almost finished my degree.

Contribute to OCA's Cabinet of Curiosity in our new collaborative project.

"Many of us return to our studies after half a lifetime away when other things were more important, such as family or careers."

A review of an OCA Study Day with tutors Les Monaghan and Garry Clarkson – And first steps towards external engagement.

Kay is currently studying stage 1 Drawing. "I am a mother of two young girls and we live in a small village in the Swiss Alps."

Unfortunately we can't include everyone is the zine but we want to showcase their work and encourage folk to submit to the next issue.

Cheryl is at the beginning of her OCA learning journey studying stage 1 Painting.

I needed to reconnect with my real self, art was what was missing in me. I researched different courses and OCA fitted in with all my needs.

OCA's Music online lunchtime concert series begins on 24 September at 12.30, with Tony performing on guitar. Everyone is Welcome!

We are a group of 108 students, residing all over Europe and spanning different disciplines.