Contemporary Craft BA (Hons) (with Foundation Year)
UCAS Code: |Duration: 4 years|Full Time|Hope Park
UCAS Campus Code: L46
Work placement opportunities|International students can apply|Study Abroad opportunities
About the course
BA Contemporary Craft is an exciting interdisciplinary Major which focuses on hands-on, experimental designing and making. We aim to create a supportive community where emerging makers and designers can realise their creative potential. This will result in the creation of specialist craft works, innovative collaborative projects and new professional directions.
The combination of specialist facilities (metal, ceramics, textile and digital), dedicated tutoring and technical expertise make Liverpool Hope University an inspiring place to study. You will be encouraged to experience materials, to share practice, process and aspiration.
Masterclasses, lectures and group seminars will guide you through core themes, which include: the joy of making, materiality and sustainability, personal directions, craft and equality, collaboration and craft identities.
We have a strong emphasis on professional practice and employability. Supported by university partnerships across Liverpool and North West institutions, charities, communities, business and industry, you will work on live projects, undertake work experience and have the opportunity to undertake a placement year.
A Contemporary Craft graduate can confidently work in diverse careers, including craft/design practitioner, community practitioner, creative producer, curator retail buyer, product merchandising, teaching & postgraduate research, Creative and Social Media Visualiser.
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Course structure
Teaching on this degree includes lectures, practical seminars, technical masterclasses and weekly group tutorials.
In addition to formal teaching, you are expected to spend a number of hours each week studying independently: researching and practising your technical skills.
Access to studios and facilities outside of taught contact time is provided to enhance individual and flexible independent study.
Assessment and feedback
Throughout your years of study, you will have formal and informal assessments where you will be given written and verbal feedback on your work.
Formal assessments are normally held at the end of each academic year and you are required to complete a series of assessment tasks. These typically include a portfolio of creative work accompanied by contextual documentation. In your final year, you are also required to complete a research project/dissertation. You will have the opportunity to discuss your work during regular one-to-one tutorials.
Curriculum overview
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.
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.
Year One
The Level C syllabus comprises three core elements of study, which collectively establish the foundations of contemporary craft practice for Level C students. These are Craft Fundamentals, Drawing and Design, Visual Culture. Level C is underpinned by topics including: The Joy of Making; Sustainability and Materiality; Reflective Practice.
Craft Fundamentals
Based in the material areas of ceramics, metals and textiles, Craft Fundamentals establishes the foundations for contemporary craft practice:
- Students are introduced to the material areas and workshops of ceramics, metal, textiles, wood and digital fabrication lab
- Students work on a series of projects responding to themes
- Students develop new making and research possibilities.
Design and Drawing
This element focuses on drawing and design development skills and directly relates to the studio practice and project work within Craft Fundamentals. Through a series of exercises, students are supported to explore design methods, develop personal approaches and build confidence in their ability to visualise new creative possibilities.
Visual Culture
The Visual Culture element will introduce students to a breadth of contemporary craft approaches, highlighting key practitioner examples and communities of practice. The examples given will provide insight into practitioners' personal journey's, making approaches, values and narratives, which underpin career pathways. The Visual Culture element will also place emphasis on our locality, encouraging and supporting students to visit key cultural venues and places which form the community of practice in Liverpool.
Tutorial
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.
Year Two
Explorations in Contemporary Craft
The Level I syllabus comprises three core elements of study, which support the development of personal creative directions and professional knowledge. These are: Craft Directions, Professional Development and Visual Culture.
Craft Directions
Based in the material areas of ceramics, metals and textiles and digital fabrication lab, Craft Directions establishes and supports the development of personal creative directions. Craft Directions syllabus is guided by three core topics: Personal Direction, Collaboration and Craft and Equality.
The element comprises a combination of live briefs and personal craft proposals, which encompass current issues and topics. Students have the opportunity to explore material knowledge and research skills in further depth, gaining new understanding of their personal intentions within the field of contemporary craft.
Professional Development
This element focuses on activities that support students to consider their emerging professional creative direction. Students research a personal craft/design identity, and understand how this is located within the sphere of professional design or craft practice. The Professional Development element will be supported by university partnerships across Liverpool and North West local institutions, charities, communities, business and industry.
Visual Culture
The weekly Visual Culture lectures broaden the students' approach to craft, elevating the students' understanding of contemporary craft research and practice within the professional field. Visual Culture lecturers will present and encourage dialogue on topics including: diversity and inclusion, social justice, climate emergency, and arts and health practice. Students will engage with research materials in the form of journals, symposiums and where possible, through external visits.
Year Three
Advanced study in Contemporary Craft
Level H syllabus comprises three elements which enable the development of coherent craft identities, advanced material practice and professional expertise. These are: Craft Futures, Professional Development, Contemporary Craft Research Project. Craft Futures is guided by two topics, Craft Identities and Craft in the Expanded Field.
Craft Futures
Craft Futures enables the realisation of confident, ambitious collections of work. Students define independent project briefs, which can involve collaborative and real world scenarios. A focus on personal expertise and knowledge encourages advanced craft practice and professional stability in curating practice.
Professional Development
The Professional Development sessions support students at Level H to synthesise professional knowledge and understanding, supporting the development of the Craft Futures project and preparing students for professional practice and/or further study. Students work towards producing a practical report, which articulates professional knowledge, skills and attributes, appropriate to their Craft Futures project and their broader career aspirations.
Viva
Following the submission of work, students will be required to have a short viva examination. The viva examination is an important opportunity for students to articulate their learning and respond to questions on their craft identities, material practice and professional expertise.
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.
Cotemporary Craft Research Project
The Contemporary Craft Research Project has two options:
- 15-credit Research Project (aligned with Contemporary Craft Major), or
- 30-credit Integrated Dissertation, spanning both Majors.
The Research Project / Integrated Dissertation component provides students with the opportunity to submit a professionally presented and in-depth study that further develops and strengthens:
- Subject knowledge
- Research skills
- Critical reflection and analysis
- Visual and written communication skills
Entry requirements
There may be some flexibility for mature students offering non-tariff qualifications and students meeting particular widening participation criteria.
Careers
The Contemporary Craft programme equips learners with a wide range of practical skills and theoretical knowledge. Alongside the development of a personal creative design practice (with a bespoke portfolio of professionally documented outcomes), students will acquire proficiency in the entrepreneurial skills necessary for establishing a sustainable career within the industry. Students will be well placed to shape the future of the Craft industry offering alternative solutions to challenges which surround the industry.
A Contemporary Craft graduate can confidently work in diverse careers, including craft/design practitioner, community practitioner, creative producer, curator, retail buyer, product merchandising, teaching & postgraduate research, Creative and Social Media Visualiser.
Enhancement opportunities
Work Placement Opportunities
All students will be encouraged to uptake work-placements with an appropriate company, creative studio or professional scenario.
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 2025/26 academic year are £9,535* 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 £9,535*.
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.
*subject to Council approval.
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 2025/26 are £14,500.
Visit our International fees page for more information.
Course combinations
This course is also available with Foundation Year as a Combined Honours degree with the following subjects: