Contemporary Craft BA (Hons)
UCAS Code: CC00|Duration: 3|Full Time|Creative Campus
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
*Single Honours Contemporary Craft is Subject to Approval for 2027
Love making, creating and experimenting with materials? BA (Hons) Contemporary Craft at Liverpool Hope University gives you the freedom to develop your own creative identity while building professional making skills across a wide range of contemporary craft disciplines. Whether you're passionate about ceramics, textiles, jewellery, metalwork, printmaking or mixed media, you'll spend extensive time in the studio developing your craft and refining your creative vision.
Explore, experiment and find your craft. This course gives you the opportunity to explore a range of materials and making processes before developing the specialist practice that inspires you most. Throughout the course, you’ll explore the histories, theories and ideas that shape contemporary craft, using research to inform your creative direction. You'll combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary creative practice, while developing your understanding of sustainable practice, exhibition and professional practice, alongside building a portfolio for your future career.
Based in Liverpool, a city renowned for creativity, culture and innovation, you'll work on live projects, exhibitions and industry-focused opportunities while building a professional body of work that reflects your unique artistic voice.
Course structure
The syllabus is delivered through workshops, seminars and supported by a weekly tutorial.
Teaching combines studio practice, practical workshops and seminars, alongside independent study.
Tutorials: These sessions will provide the opportunity for group discussion and 1-1 individual tutorials. They are designed to support studies and be student led.
Independent study: Independent study is a vital component of the Contemporary Craft programme, supporting the development of practical skills, material understanding, and independent creative practice. Students will receive guidance to support the continuation of practical coursework within the workshops beyond scheduled teaching sessions.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment is through coursework throughout all three years of the programme.
In Year 1, you'll build a personal record of studio practice, including material samples and a technical log reflecting on your methods. You'll also keep a sketchbook of drawings, design sheets and creative experiments, and a personal research diary exploring how research and practice connect.
In Year 2, you'll present a portfolio and a series of material responses that reflect your personal direction, supported by your sketchbook, technical log and personal research diary. You'll also write a research report exploring the professional field and potential career paths.
In Year 3, you'll produce a curated craft collection, supported by your portfolio, sketchbook, technical log and personal research diary. You'll also complete a Contemporary Craft Research Project. As part of your professional development, you'll prepare a report and personal profile to support your professional practice. Feedback: Tutorials offer pastoral support with time to discuss and to receive guidance where needed. Topics may include: assignment and academic guidance; study skills, methodologies and reflective practice; tutorials, group critiques and discussions.
Curriculum overview
*Please note the full curriculum for Single Honours Contemporary Craft will be available soon.
BA Contemporary Craft will support innovative creative practice within a critical studio workshop environment. The aims of the programme are to support students to:
1. Explore a broad range of materials and processes within the spectrum of contemporary crafts combining new technologies, traditional processes, and interdisciplinary approaches.
2. Develop professional expertise, which enables students to pursue personal directions in their creative practice and test these through real world scenarios.
3. Initiate academic enquiry, exploring and addressing current issues, through cultural, social and historical research. The course would place emphasis on ethical craft practice and valuing materials.
Year One
Please note that the curriculum is subject to approval.
Introduction to Contemporary Craft 1 - Rotate through our ceramics, metal, textiles and wood workshops and digital fabrication lab, learning core making skills guided by the joy of making and reflective practice. You'll develop drawing and design techniques, discover inspiring craft practitioners and Liverpool's cultural venues, and share your progress in weekly tutorials. Introduction to Contemporary Craft 2 Develop your making skills, focusing on sustainability and materiality: discovering the qualities of materials and how they are formed and valued. You'll explore design ideas through drawing and model making, reflect on craft practitioners and communities in a personal research diary, and share work in tutorials and group critiques.
Introduction to Contemporary Craft 2 - Develop your making skills, focusing on sustainability and materiality: discovering the qualities of materials and how they are formed and valued. You'll explore design ideas through drawing and model making, reflect on craft practitioners and communities in a personal research diary, and share work in tutorials and group critiques.
Year Two
Please note that the curriculum is subject to approval.
Explorations in Contemporary Craft 1 - Shape your own creative direction through studio projects, including live briefs, exploring how making connects with society, the environment and personal experience. You'll also research the professional world of craft and design, building case studies of three practitioners or organisations. Group and one-to-one tutorials support you throughout.
Explorations in Contemporary Craft 2 - Continue developing your personal direction while working on live projects with communities and local cultural organisations. You'll explore possible career paths, create a personal profile and research work experience opportunities. Seminars on craft research and one-to-one tutorials help you prepare for your final-year research project.
Year Three
Please note that the curriculum is subject to approval.
Advanced Study in Contemporary Craft 1 - Define your own studio project briefs, which can involve collaborative and real-world scenarios, as you challenge the boundaries of traditional craft and develop your craft identity. You'll also complete an independent research project on a focused area of contemporary craft, supported by group and one-to-one tutorials.
Advanced Study in Contemporary Craft 2 - Bring your studio work together in a confident, ambitious collection, culminating in a curated exhibition or event. Professional development sessions prepare you for life after graduation, whether that's setting up your own practice, working in the creative industries or continuing to postgraduate study, with tutorials supporting you throughout.
Entry requirements
| A-Levels | BBC |
|---|---|
| UCAS Tariff Points | 112 UCAS Tariff points must come from a minimum of two A Levels (or equivalent). Additional points can be made up from a range of alternative qualifications.
Find out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth, by using the Tariff calculator. |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access to HE | 112 Tariff Points |
| IB | 26 points |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | 112 Tariff Points from Higher Level qualifications only |
| Welsh Baccalaureate | This qualification can only be accepted in conjunction with other relevant qualifications |
| T-Levels | Merit |
| Subject Requirements | All applicants are required to submit a digital portfolio of around 8–10 slides showcasing creative work, ideas, projects, or visual research. |
International entry requirements
| Specific Country Requirements | Select your country |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 overall (with reading and writing at 6.0) and no individual score lower than 5.5. We also accept a wide range of International Qualifications. For more information, please visit our English Language Requirements page. |
Careers
Relevant industries: Craft and design, museums and galleries, arts organisations and events, education and research, retail, and creative and social media.
Job roles: Craft or design practitioner, independent maker running a studio or small business, community practitioner, designer for industry, curator, exhibitions assistant, gallery technician, arts administrator and teacher or lecturer.
Professional competencies: Making and designing, communication, problem-solving, collaboration, teamwork, professional ethics and project management.
Industry-standard tools or methods: Traditional workshop processes in metal, jewellery, ceramics and textiles, alongside contemporary digital technologies and digital fabrication.
Further study/research pathways: Postgraduate study, research and teaching within the wider craft and visual arts sector.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
Through partnerships with local institutions, charities, communities and businesses, you'll work on live projects and gain work-based experience. You can also take placements in non-teaching time or an optional placement year in industry.
We have strong links with organisations including National Museums Liverpool, Bluecoat Display Centre, Crafts Council, British Ceramics Biennial, The Goldsmiths’ Company, Arts and Health North West, and DoES Liverpool.
You'll exhibit your work at the Cornerstone Gallery and venues in Liverpool, building to a final degree show for the public and industry professionals.
SALA
The Service and Leadership Award (SALA) is offered as an extra-curricular programme involving service-based experiences, development of leadership potential and equipping you for a career in a rapidly changing world. It enhances your degree, it is something which is complimentary but different and which has a distinct ‘value-added’ component. Find out more on our Service and Leadership Award page.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can choose to spend either a semester or a full year of study at one of our partner universities as part of our Study Abroad programme. Find out more on our Study Abroad page.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are £9,790 for full-time undergraduate courses.*
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £9,790.
The tuition fees for the 2027/28 academic year will be £10,050 for full-time undergraduate courses.*
If you are a student from the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, your tuition fees will also be £10,050
The University reserves the right to increase Home and EU Undergraduate and PGCE tuition fees in line with any inflationary or other increase authorised by the Secretary of State for future years of study.
Home students (UK)
*Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships
We have a range of scholarships to help with the cost of your studies. Visit our scholarships page to find out more.
International tuition fees
The International Tuition fees for 2026/27 are £15,225.
The International Tuition fees for 2027/28 are £16,000
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course Enquiry
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