Program Overview

Ceramics in Expanding Practice – BA (Hons)

Course Overview

The BA (Hons) Ceramics in Expanding Practice programme embraces inclusivity and diversity within contemporary ceramics and encourages innovation and risk taking in the realisation of ceramic and clay work. From functional object to sculpture, art to architecture, figurative to installation, studio to social practice, contemporary ceramics embrace an expanding spectrum of practice, engaging with a wide range of approaches across the fields of art and design. Ceramics in Expanding Practice has clay at its core but allows for the exploration and combining of other creative materials and processes that are relevant to the development of studio work. Examples include video, sound, lighting, digital fabrication, resins, a range of casting materials, wood, metal and more.

This program nurtures students with a broad range of discipline specific and transferable skills that are grounded in thinking through making and the transformative potential of material-based engagement. Students are exposed to an extensive range of creative practice through the combined development of traditional studio skills and digital fabrication technologies, while being supported to innovate and establish their own individual creative voice as the next generation of artists, makers, and designers within this vibrant contemporary field.

Entry Requirements

• Entry into Ceramics is by competition and selection during US800 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry).
• Mature Applicants: Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.
• International Applicants: International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time.

Course Modules

Year 2 – Semester 1

• Overview: Introduces and develops the core skills of working with ceramics through studio briefs.
• Ceramics 1: Credits: 25
  • Research
  • Design Process
  • Materials and Process
  • Realisation of completed ceramic work
• Critical And Contextual Studies 3: Credits: 5
  • The aim of this module is to demonstrate the significance of twentieth century design and the contexts from which it emerges, providing students with models of analytical evaluation of the design (and art) of the period.
• Professional Practice Placement Exchange 1: Credits: 5
  • To initiate professional understanding through engagement with the professional world of practice and to begin to develop the following core skills essential to future practice.
    • Career development
    • Presentation skills
    • Communication skills
    • Studio skills

Year 2 – Semester 2

• Ceramics 2: The aim of this module is to progress student proficiency in the core skills for working in ceramics covering the following areas:
  • Research
  • Design Process
  • Materials and Process
  • Realisation of Completed Ceramic work
• Critical and Contextual Studies 4: The aim of this module is to demonstrate the significance of twentieth century and twenty-first century design and the contexts from which it emerges, providing students with models of analytical evaluation of the design of the period.
• Professional Practice Placement Exchange 1: Credits: 5
  • To initiate professional understanding through engagement with the professional world of practice and to begin to develop the following core skills essential to future practice.
    • Career development
    • Presentation skills
    • Communication skills
    • Studio skills

Year 3 – Semester 1

• Overview: The emphasis in Year 3 is on developing an individual creative direction and builds on the core skills acquired in Year 2.
• Ceramics 3: Credits: 20
  • The aim of this module is to further develop and strengthen the students proficiency and independence in the core skills for contemporary ceramic practice.
    • Research
    • Design Process
    • Materials and Process
    • Realisation of Completed Ceramic work
• Professional Practice Placement Exchange 2: Credits: 5
  • This module will immerse the student in further identifying and self-directing towards pathways of individual professional interest through active engagement with relevant areas of professional practice, placement or exchange.
• Critical And Contextual Studies (Design) 5: Credits: 5
  • The aim of this module is to facilitate debate and discussion in relation to concepts presented in the module.

Year 3 – Semester 3

• Ceramics 4: Credits: 5
  • The aim of this module is to further develop and strengthen the students proficiency and independence in the core skills for contemporary ceramic practice.
    • Research
    • Design Process
    • Materials and Process
    • Realisation of Completed Ceramic work
• Critical And Contextual Studies (Design) 6: Credits: 5
  • The module will further the independent learning skills of the student.
• Professional Practice Placement Exchange 3: Credits: 20
  • This module will immerse the student in further identifying and self-directing towards pathways of individual professional interest through active engagement with relevant areas of professional practice, placement or exchange.

Year 4 – Semester 1

• Overview: Year 4 aims to prepare the student for their desired career path after college through a self-directed project and the specialisation of techniques and concepts.
• Ceramics 5: Credits: 20
  • The aim of this module is to begin to develop a self-directed body of work through increasingly independent practice applying skills relevant to contemporary ceramic practice.
    • Research
    • Design Process
    • Materials and Process
• Critical And Contextual Studies 7: Credits: 10
  • The aim of this module is to devise a substantial, self-directed academic research project within the field of visual culture, allowing for the student to build on their core skills in research, writing and critical analysis.
• Ceramics 6: Credits: 30
  • The aim of this module is to produce a self-directed body of contemporary ceramic work, evidencing appropriate skill levels for this stage, informed by and directed towards its relevant professional context.
    • Design Process
    • Materials and Process
    • Realisation of completed ceramic work
    • Professional Context

What can you do after this programme?

Career Opportunities

• Artist
• Designer maker
• Studio potter
• Sculptor
• Model maker
• Teacher
• Technician
• Researcher
• Curator
• Culture sector

Further Study

Graduates are encouraged to explore numerous pathways following their Ceramics BA. Graduates are eligible to apply to Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within LSAD and elsewhere.