Contemporary Craft BA (Hons) (with Foundation Year)

The Foundation Year is a great opportunity if you have the ability and enthusiasm to study for a degree, but do not yet have the qualifications required to enter directly onto our degree programmes. A significant part of the Foundation Year focuses upon core skills such as academic writing at HE level, becoming an independent learner, structuring academic work, critical thinking, time management and note taking.

Successful completion of the Foundation Year will enable you to progress into the first year (Level C) of your chosen honours degree. Further details can be found here.

Introduction to Contemporary Craft - Level C - 60 credits

This is an exploratory year where students will be introduced to the craft economy of the future and the value of craft practice within society. The emphasis will be on design experimentation in the workshops, learning the fundamentals of craft practice through material led investigation and research.

Fundamentals – A series of practical workshops and seminars will support students to explore project themes, investigating how processes, materials and technologies can bring new insight and ideas. These sessions are based in the ceramics, metal and textiles workshops working with a range of materials.

Drawing & Design Development – In this element, you will be developing an understanding of core drawing and designing skills which underpin your studio practice. This will include, model making, using sketchbooks, using personal visual research and digital exploration.

Visual Culture – These lectures introduce contemporary themes, artists and designers within the field. Lectures will highlight research materials and theoretical approaches, which will shape and direct your practice.

Tutorials - The weekly student-led tutorial will provide time to coalesce as a group to share practice, develop research and study skills and connect to the wider university network. 

Explorations in Contemporary Fashion Design- 60 credits

At Level I, students further develop their Craft practice skills through exploring these in a professional environment. Live project experiences with local and national organisations, communities and practitioners will underpin and enhance the students' individual research and practice. Students will have the opportunity to define personal directions and include wider interests generated through their combined major subjects.

Directions: At Level I, students further develop and deepen their craft practice through individual practice and collaboration. A series of practical workshops and seminars will support students to respond to live project briefs, developing Individual interests, interpretations and responses through studio practice. Experimental approaches are encouraged.

Professional Development: This element will focus on core professional skills which will support your practice and direction within the creative fields. The sessions will integrate with your live project work, focusing on team-work, project planning, communication and presentation. In the final semester, you will also identify an appropriate work experience placement.

Visual Culture: The Visual Culture lectures will continue to highlight a series of contemporary professional work combined with supported external visits.

Tutorial: These sessions will provide the opportunity for group discussion and 1-1 individual tutorials. They are designed to support studies and be student led.

Advanced Studies in Contemporary Craft- 45 credits

Level H students will consolidate their understanding of the theoretical and practical principles of craft by enacting their knowledge in the formation of a high-quality professional body of work and accompanying research projects. 

Craft Futures: This is a time for students to become more focused in an area of study, realising ambitious, independent bodies of work. Students will consolidate their material and research practice, supported through masterclasses, individual tutorials and group critiques.  Students are encouraged to engage and connect to real world scenarios for their final projects and curated presentations.

Professional Development: Students will embark on a professional development portfolio throughout the year which will expand and research key professional knowledge, skills and attributes, appropriate to their professional future. This might include, researching employment, freelance opportunities and clarifying their creative trajectory. 

Visual Culture: The Visual Culture lectures will highlight a series of contemporary work, supported by external visits looking at analysing collections.

Tutorial: The weekly student-led tutorial will  provide time to come together as a group to share practice, engage in group critiques and develop study skills and connect to the wider university network. This will support both the studio practice and professional development. 

Contemporary Craft Research Project - Level H - 15 credits

The research block features an element of choice.

The choices are discussed and negotiated with tutors during year two of the course. Decisions on which option they choose will be based on individual student strengths, their future plans and ambitions and their combined subject. Tutor guidance will be provided which supports the most appropriate option for individual students.

Students will have the opportunity to combine the research block with the research block from their other subject (where allowed) to complete one longer piece of written work in the form of a dissertation.For the dissertation they will have a main supervisor and a second supervisor from their other subject. Topic will be negotiated and agreed between student and supervisors.

Options are: 
An extended essay (e.g. special study) that connects theoretical research and the final major project through interconnected research elements.

Or 

A dissertation. The topic of the dissertation should demonstrate synergies and thematic links between these interconnected research elements.