Course summary
The role of craft is continually evolving. As society rethinks our relationship with the planet and the impact of throwaway culture, the origin, quality and meaning of objects in our lives have never been more significant. Be part of the crafts resurgence that is committed to shaping a better future. Develop a personally sustainable practice, rooted in material understanding, drawing the best of the past but passionate for innovation. Think with your hands as well as your brain. You will be encouraged to challenge the traditional notions of design craft, by investigating a wide variety of processes and exploring new ways of working with materials, objects and ideas. We support collaborative working across a range of disciplines, understanding how this can lead to exciting innovation and prepare students to forge new paths as independent makers, designers and entrepreneurs or carry craft values and practice into different fields of employment. This one-year top up course blends new design principles and an innovative approach to process, together with material knowledge and craft skills developed through hands-on making. You will explore an ongoing dialogue between materials, process and ideas whilst advancing your skills within our specialist workshops. With regular sessions in wood, metal, ceramic and textiles you will develop expertise in key making practices. You will be invited to respond to a rich and varied range of subjects including cultural, ethical and environmental issues. By taking part in a series of external projects you will improve your ability to create objects within a professional and critically reflective framework. What we provide
- This is a practice based degree with plenty of time in workshops.
- Individual design spaces with excellent access to teaching staff.
- Masterclasses with leading craft professionals.
- A programme of visiting lecturers from around the world bringing cutting edge practice to HCA students.
- Final year students have exhibited at high profile graduate showcase exhibitions in London such as New Designers.
- Bespoke professional practice modules concerning post programme goals, including business planning, marketing and work placement.
- Collaborations with Hay Festival, National Trust, Hereford Cathedral, New Designers, Herefordshire Council, Made by Hand Contemporary Craft Festival, HARC Archive Service and more.
Modules
Year 1 (level 6) - Practice in Context 3 (20 Credits), Practice 5 (30), Practice 6 (60), Professional Practice 2 (10)
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W790
- Institution code:
- H18
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
We are unable to offer this course to international applicants (including EU/EEA) who have overseas qualifications.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - Not accepted
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted
Access to HE Diploma - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
Successful completion of a Foundation Degree (FdA) or HND in a related subject. Applicants whose first language is not English – proof of an overall IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all sections (reading, writing, listening & speaking).
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Portfolio
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Republic of Ireland | £9000 | Whole course |
| England | £9000 | Whole course |
| Northern Ireland | £9000 | Whole course |
| Scotland | £9000 | Whole course |
| Wales | £9000 | Whole course |
| Channel Islands | £9000 | Whole course |
Additional fee information
In addition to the degree fees, the nature of creative arts practice means you will need to allow for some additional costs, such as for materials you choose to use in the production of work and activities, and for trips to external events and exhibitions.
The courses at HCA have been designed to minimise the impact of additional costs; all course leaders have an annual budget and some trips and materials will be fully funded by the college or heavily subsidised. However, typically, a student will choose to spend an additional £400 in their final year, depending on scale of work and materials chosen or other related costs. Students spend different amounts depending on the areas in which they specialise and individual choices.
We appreciate that not all students will be able to invest the same money in their work, and staff assessing it will not judge work by the cost of materials or other resources. The college shop includes many specialist materials at good value prices and digital equipment can be borrowed from the media stores at no cost to students.
All students at HCA are offered an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for use outside of college hours. In the 2022-23 academic year this cost was £16.24 per month. Please note Adobe Creative Cloud is provided free to use for any student working within the college.
Students on all courses will also have the chance to take part in optional trips that require payments towards their costs. Again, non-attendance will not incur assessment penalties, though trips are designed to help students develop their practice. There is an optional annual cross-course residential trip abroad. In the 2023-24 academic year, the trip was a four-day visit to Paris at a cost to students of £425. This fee included a shared dorm room and all travel costs from Hereford to Paris including Eurostar tickets.
Support Available From Hereford College of Arts
**Progression Bursary**
A progression bursary of £250 (£125 per year for part-time students) is available to students from our progression partner colleges* who have successfully completed their Level 5 or equivalent course within the last 2 academic years and progress on to a top-up degree programme at Hereford College of Arts.
*Partner colleges include Bath College, Dudley College, NPTC Group, NWRC Derry & Evesham College (Warwickshire College Group).
Provider information
Hereford College of Arts
Folly Lane
Hereford
HR1 1LT