Program Overview

BA (Hons) International Craft (Top Up)

The BA (Hons) International Craft top-up will support you to think innovatively and respond to global trends in design. The course will expand your critical and conceptual thinking and encourage an understanding of wider global and creative professional design practice, whilst enabling you to develop an individual positioning for your professional design practice.

Course Overview

• The one year programmes offer direct entry into the final year of a Bachelor’s degree to students who have successfully completed a relevant HND (or equivalent), or who have completed the second year of a relevant undergraduate degree, who wish to further develop their knowledge and skills in design.
• Collaboration is at the heart of the course - you will undertake design practice modules with current final year students, work on projects with external industry and academic research partners, and exhibit your final projects as part of our annual Degree Shows events.

Features and Benefits

• This is an ideal degree if you want to top up your existing qualifications and achieve a BA (Hons) degree in just one year.
• Successful completion of the course will also enable those with a high enough grade to join one of Manchester School of Art’s MA programmes.
• Opportunity to work alongside a student group with diverse experiences and educational and cultural backgrounds.
• Collaborate with current students and industry partners as part of the interdisciplinary Unit X module.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

• We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

Year 1

On this one year top-up course you will focus on defining your individual creative identity by developing a personal or professional practice grounded in critical thinking and research. You'll fine your visual language, deepen your technical skills, and produce a final self-directed project that culminates in a public showcase of your work, preparing you for life beyond university.

Core Modules

• Synthesis and Resolution: This module will focus on developing, refining and resolving an appropriate visual language and palette of skills to facilitate your professional ambitions.
• Unit X: On the third year Unit X, there is a student authored final project leading to a showcase of finished work. The module includes a brief generated by the student, which leads to the presentation of a significant body of final work.
• Global Design: Cultures, Contexts and Methods: This module will equip students with a thorough knowledge and understanding into the extensive contexts that impact contemporary international design practice, including social and economic models, individual and societal cultures and global sustainability issues.

Study and Assessment

• Study: Year 1 - 40% lectures, seminars or similar; 60% independent study
• Assessment: Year 1 - 100% coursework

Entry Requirements

• Portfolio: We will ask for a portfolio of your work as part of your application
• UK Students: BA (Hons) International Craft is a one-year top-up degree programme for applicants who have previously studied and successfully completed a relevant HND (or equivalent), or Level 5 of a relevant undergraduate degree.
• International Students: International students will be required to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5. English language qualification in line with the University’s entry requirements is required for students whose first language is not English.

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses.

Careers Support and Prospects

• Employed or in Further Study: 88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• Graduate Outcomes Survey: 2021/22 leavers, HESA data.
• Explore Your Options and Build Sought-After Skills: Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) International Product Design (Top Up)
• BA (Hons) International Interior Design (Top Up)

Disclaimers

• Programme Review: Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology.
• Important Notice: This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that our published course information is accurate.