The course combines studio projects and practical workshop based sessions, where ideas and making are integrated. Students have a studio, where design development, group tutorials, crits and presentations take place. Modules combine lectures, workshops, seminars, and tutorials, and encourage a high level of debate and interaction. Students are encouraged to see their learning as an interactive experience, in which they play an active part, so that they emerge as resourceful and independent professionals, committed to pursuing their ambitions beyond graduation. The degree is staffed by practicing professionals, and Visiting Lecturers who regularly contribute specialist expertise.

In the First Year you'll learn approaches to designing and making across a range of two and three-dimensional media in the fields of textiles, jewellery and ceramics and glass. 

Second Year students choose to focus their interests within the ceramics and glass medium and approach, enabling them to reach the high level of refinement necessary for the professional marketplace. We are offering a balance between focused specialist study and experimental mixed media approaches.

The workshops are the focus of the student experience our students are using the latest laser cutting and rapid prototyping equipment as well as the traditional equipped workshop to develop their practice. Progressive studio projects also provide an initial framework for individual research and creative interpretation, to establish your unique identity.

This results in the production of a richly diverse range of artifacts - such as tableware, experimental objects, sculptures, architectural pieces, tiles for interiors/ exteriors and conceptual pieces for exhibition or commission. The emphasis is on questioning function and tradition to arrive at fresh, lively alternatives for a sophisticated market.

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

The degree can potentially lead to a wide range of career opportunities, from small business, to design for manufacture, unique artifacts for exhibition and commission, museums and collectors, running workshops, teaching, curating and retail, journalism and styling, as well as postgraduate study.

This course will give you the skills for a variety of exciting career options. You'll learn key skills such as modelling, throwing, mould making, casting, firing and glazing, which will help you start successful careers running workshops, teaching, curating, beginning your own practices or becoming employed in the ceramic industry as designers or fabricators.