Foundation Degree - Contemporary crafts practice

UCAS code: W700
Campus code: H
Duration: 2 years full time / 4 years part time
Level: 4
Site: Station Plaza

About this course

Contemporary Crafts is a diverse and exciting sector of the arts which encourages creative thinking through direct practical engagement with materials and processes. This course allows students to work with mixed media including ceramics, metal, plastics, glass and textiles and provides them with a strong basis of skills to establish themselves as a practitioner. Making is taught alongside research, ideas development, IT and professional practice to develop self–management and skills necessary for employment within the creative industries. Tutors and visiting lecturers are practicing designer/makers who exhibit and sell work within the professional arena.

Syllabus

Year 1
Personal and Professional Development
Practice-led Research
Computer-aided Craft Design
Ceramics
Interdisciplinary with Mixed Media
Metals
Cultural and Critical Studies
Independent Project

Year 2
Professional Practice
Practice-led Research
Specialist Crafts Pathway
Cultural and Critical Studies
Exhibition Project

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff: 120 points, from a minimum of one 6-unit qualification in G/VCE Art and Design or BTEC National Awards in Art and Design. International Baccalaureate: Individual assessment. GAA—approved access course: Acceptable, subject-specific units GCSE (minimum grade C): A good profile. For non-native speakers of English: IELTS 6.0 overall, 6 in writing. Other: Art and Design Foundation Diploma. Interview and portfolio review. Accredited prior learning. Accredited prior experience.

Areas of study

Ceramics, metal and mixed media including plastic, glass and constructed textiles can be undertaken, individually or in combination. Interdisciplinary practice links the specialism’s including mould-making, printing processes and computer-aided design, and allows for research across the areas. Practical work is supported by practice-led research and cultural and critical studies which facilitate and inform developmental thinking within studio practice. Personal and professional practice runs throughout the course and provides practical guidance and experience to locate and promote skills and work within a professional context.

Course structure

The beginning of the course involves a series of inductions into workshops which then allows students to progress to more self-directed study, allowing development of specialist areas of interest. Throughout, students are guided and supported by group debate, individual tutorial guidance and specialist seminars. There is also an organised study visit; past students have visited Rome, Paris and Istanbul. During year 2 students will complete a program of self-directed work experience which will be linked to areas of interest. Students have worked with international ceramicists and jewellers in the UK and abroad, with the Craft Council, the V&A, the Imperial War Museum and also with local galleries and charitable organisations. Students enter the Pewter Live competition in London and have won many prizes including the Best College entry. The year will culminate with an exhibition of carefully curated work.

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