Craft Practices
Foundation Degree Arts - Ceramics
Course subject to validation
Applications open October 2024 for a September 2025 start
Duration: Two academic years (36 weeks each year) full time
School: Arts
Location: West Dean
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding
The Foundation Degree Arts, specialising in Ceramics, is designed to give you a well-rounded, broad experience of ceramic making processes and techniques, from individual hand built objects to small-scale batch production. Alongside this you will be exposed to the conceptual and theoretical knowledge required, to set up as a self-employed designer-maker or craftsperson, to be able to continue your studies in higher education or to find employment in the creative industry sector. Assignments cover issues of design, form, function, decoration, glaze technology and professional practice.
Ceramics-making projects become more challenging as the course progresses and increasingly enable you to specialise in line with your interests and personal direction. You will be encouraged to understand contemporary and historic craft practice and be able to place your own work in this broader context
On successful completion of this course graduates can advance into the workplace or set up as freelance makers. If however, you wish to progress further in higher education, then those who are interested in making are able to undertake an additional year to achieve a BA (Hons) Craft Practices, and potentially progress on to our MFA Crafts Practices, which has a ceramics pathway. For those interested in pursuing a career in conservation they can advance onto the Graduate Diploma and MA in Conservation Studies.
Learning Environment
- Low student: tutor ratio
- Workshop access 8.30am - 9pm, seven days a week*
- Interdisciplinary environment
- Visits from practising crafts people and artists
- Visits to museums and galleries
- Work placements and work-related projects
You can expect
- To develop excellent practical making and design skills
- To learn how material properties influence practice and making
- To learn historic and contemporary making techniques in a modern context
- To learn from dedicated and experienced tutors who are practising professionals and well- connected in the sector
Interdisciplinary study
Students are encouraged to collaborate with other College departments, making the most of the wide range of specialist knowledge, materials and equipment that is available.
Read more about our Ceramics and related objects conservation courses
Fees and funding
Course fees are the same for UK and international students
£4,760 per term (£14,280 per academic year)
Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional. Find out more
A £250 course fee and £200 accommodation deposit (if residential) is required to secure your place. Details will be provided to you in your offer. Fees are billed termly in advance. Please see the Terms and Conditions for further information.
Funding
Scholarships and bursaries are available.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points: 120 Completion of a level 3 qualification, for example: A-Levels, BTEC or Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
Applicants can be considered if they can provide evidence of prior learning and should provide a digital portfolio. You will be invited to a portfolio interview. The portfolio should evidence commitment to the discipline. It could include sketchbooks, technical and material exploration, design work, project development from start to finish, detailed images of finished work. Where possible, applicants are encouraged to include a video of working on a practical exercise as part of the portfolio, of which the College can provide guidance if required (see below). If applicants cannot provide a portfolio, the College will provide a practical exercise that can be done remotely to asses mental agility and dexterity and suitability for this skills based programme.
To guide you through the process of putting together your digital portfolio, we've put together our six top tips; including how to select projects for inclusion, and formatting your portfolio. Read more here.
International students must provide evidence of English language ability to Level B2 (IELTS 6.0), as well as equivalent level 3 qualifications.
How to apply
If you only wish to apply to West Dean, please complete the application form below and email to [email protected]. If you are applying to more than one institution, please apply through UCAS.
Please note that this course starts September 2025. Applications via UCAS open May 2024 and direct applications open October 2024.
Any questions?
Email [email protected]; call us on: (01243) 818 300 and select option 1, or read more about our Admissions processes.
Gallery
Artist in Residence Programme
The Artist-in-Residence programme sees a series of professional artists living and working onsite, amongst Fine Art students. They enrich the creative learning environment by offering tutorial sessions with students as well as public presentations on the work produced during the residency and their wider practice.
FAQs
What level of qualification is the Foundation Degree?
The Foundation Degree Arts is a Level 5 qualification and equivalent to the first two years of a BA Hons programme. Students who complete the foundation degree have an automatic right to progress into our BA (Hons) Craft Practices top up year.
Entry requirements ask for a portfolio. What is this and what should be included?
Students need to prepare a digital portfolio to evidence their manual dexterity and their interest in the area of craft practice they have chosen. It could include sketches, images of finished work, videos of them working with their hands. Read more tips on preparing a digital portfolio.
I have no experience and therefore no portfolio – can I still apply?
If applicants cannot provide a portfolio, we will ask you to complete a practical exercise to assess mental agility and dexterity and suitability for this skills-based programme. Assessments take place onsite at the college workshops or remotely when it is not possible to come into college.
What do students do after their Foundation Degree?
This course is designed to give you well-rounded theory and craft skills. You can set up as a self-employed maker or find employment in this or a creative industry sector. The Foundation Degree is also an excellent first step before progressing to the BA (Hons) Craft Practices, 1 year top up course and MFA Craft Practices, if you wished to pursue a career in making, or the Graduate Diploma and MA in Conservation Studies if you wish to pursue a career in Conservation.
Commendations
Commendations from the University of Sussex include:
"The high quality student experience and strength of student representation within the College."
"The introduction of a “maker-in-residence” scheme to the FdA."
"Responding to employer and student feedback in extending the work placement from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to support employability after graduation."
"The range of tailored study trips to suit different student cohorts."
School of Arts
Explore and expand your work in a uniquely immersive environment with its own connections to art history. Our School of Arts students enjoy specialist studio spaces dedicated to painting and drawing, sculpture and tapestry and textile-based work as well as exceptional exhibition space.
Student Information
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Funding
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International Students
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