Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>

OCA (Open College of the Arts) and IDI (Interactive Design Institute)

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(edited 5 years ago)

Hey! Me too!I have submitted two applications to SLC (one to try and squeeze into the 16/17 year before the fees go up), apparently the course fees are well within the allowance you can have for student finance. It also gets paid back in exactly the same way as if you had gone to university. They do have some restrictions though, so best to check before hand. Maybe we will be starting at around the same time! Good Luck!!

Reply 2

Ellenoir

Hi, the OCA is now the distance learning arm of UCA. You can get part-time Student Finance funding for OCA degree course. You apply for funding by going to your national funding body website and making an online application. I am not sure that you can for IDI - they appear to use a private loan provider. If they are not able to receive Student Finance then I would be concerned about quality issues.

As with all Distance Learning, the social side can be non-existent. OCA have online forums and course unit email groups. Students also set up independent social media sites. The Students association also encourage students to create regional groups for visits and socials, and also provided funding for tutor lead workshops and gallery visit. I'm not sure this happens at IDI.
Hope this helps

E.

Reply 3

Username68

Hi, I am currently studying an MA with IDI. At the beginning, everything seems to be OK, but then they leave you alone.Before studying with IDI, I read about it on some forums but the support I get in the admission process makes me change my mind. I think those opinions are from people who have a bad personal experience, but now I understand what they mean.In the last modules, it's mostly self-learning. The support given is not good enough. It's supposed you have a tutor feedback within 24 hours, but it's not always that way. Along the career, there are some good tutors whose feedback is prompt and useful, but at the end, there are also tutors who seem that simply don't care.You have forums to socialise, but it's not a real socialisation. It depends on the students' time. Usually the interaction is with 3 or 4 people, others don't answer.Regarding finance, you can pay monthly instalments, with bank transfer or credit card. They offer good options in this aspect.I'm not sure about Illustration, mine is another career, probably with a different tutor. But, I'm telling you my experience because when I read the bad reviews, I compare to my own experience in the admission process that gives me a good impression that keeps on the first modules, but at this point I'm disappointed.

Reply 4

Isaillu

Hi ... did you join oca ilustration? How do you find it? I am thinking to join too ... let us know if it did live up to your expectations so far in terms of support and interactions with other students.