Design Crafts: Glass, Ceramics and Jewellery (Full-time) (BA Hons)
Our Design Crafts course at Swansea College of Art, UWTSD, lets you explore your creativity and develop design and creative 3D-making skills. You will learn to work professionally with glass, ceramics, and jewellery, finding your creative voice through a blend of traditional skills and contemporary technologies like laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and 3D printing.
You will work with a diverse range of material and process practices, such as ceramics, cold and kiln-formed glass, wood, metal, plastics, fiberglass, resins, and textiles. The programme also covers jewellery, mould making, CAD/CAM, and 3D scanning.
Our course provides a programme of hands-on workshop-based education approach through specialist workshops, underpinned by contextual and historical studies, placements, internships and residencies.
Throughout the course, you will gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills, developing innovative approaches to sustainable craft practices. You will build critical awareness and resourcefulness, preparing you to contribute to the evolving field of design crafts.
You will be taught by a team of established craft practitioners with international reputations and supported by an experienced technical team. Your learning will be further enriched by visiting lecturers and practitioners. Entrepreneurial skills are a key part of the course, ensuring you become an industry-ready professional.
The course is perfect for aspiring craftspersons, jewellers, ceramicists, textile artists, designer-makers, and glass artists. You will have access to specialist facilities that support your creative practice and design and making journey.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
- Bilingual
Undergraduate Fees
Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
Overseas (Full-time): £15,525 per year
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Philosophy
Our Design Crafts course emphasises hands-on learning and creative exploration. We focus on developing your technical skills, critical thinking, and innovative approaches through practical workshops and contextual studies, preparing you for a successful career in the creative industries.
Entrepreneurism is embedded within the course, with wide-ranging discussions of the diverse approaches to developing and sustaining a creative practice as well as finding routes to employment within the immediate sector and beyond. This will be enhanced through regular lectures from visiting practicing makers and associated professionals.
In your first year, you will be introduced to a broad range of materials and processes, including ceramics, glass, and jewellery. You will develop fundamental skills in traditional hand-making techniques and emerging technologies such as CAD/CAM, laser cutting, and 3D printing. Modules will cover introductory techniques and basic design principles, along with an understanding of professional practice in the digital era and various ways of thinking and perceiving design crafts.
First-year modules are designed to establish a core platform of essential skills for all students and encourage the development of design and making in glass, ceramics and jewellery
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Contextual Practices to develop and enrich the student’s knowledge of design and craft.
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Design and Make modules that develop 2D and 3D drawing and visual literacy through materials.
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Professional Practice to gain core skills in digital portfolios and online presence.
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Material workshops to build the student’s skills in working with glass, ceramics and other materials.
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Design and material knowledge to provide an understanding of design and craft.
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(10 credits)
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Your second year focuses on deepening your technical expertise and creative exploration. You will develop the knowledge, practical abilities and creativity to undertake design and craft artefact realisation. You will be able to work as an individual designer, maker or as part of a multidisciplinary team for the manufacture of design crafts, experiencing ‘live briefs and client-based scenarios.
Modules will include advanced design and making techniques, commercial output, and research practices within the context of design crafts.
(10 credits)
(10 credits)
(30 credits )
(30 credits )
(20 credits)
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In the final year, you will specialise further, honing your skills in your chosen area of interest. Third-year modules are designed to allow you to formulate your own individual career direction and aspirations as a design crafts graduate. You can select and manage your own personal and major projects with the support of the staff team so that you can demonstrate your core skills and experience and develop:
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Advanced knowledge of design crafts, thinking and practice.
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A personal design philosophy to underpin their current and future practice.
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Advanced awareness of the value of their intellectual and creative ability and a well-defined strategy for personal brand and career development.
(20 credits)
(40 credits)
(60 credits)
Course Page Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
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Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Facilities & Exhibitions
Facilities & Exhibitions
The Design Crafts department boasts a broad range of specialist making and processing facilities for glass, ceramics and jewellery, supported by a comprehensive array of general workshops.
Our Summer Shows are a showcase of the exceptional work of our graduating students across a wide range of creative disciplines.
Further information
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120 UCAS tariff points 
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e.g. A-levels: ABB, BTEC: DDM, IB: 33 and Portfolio
The UCAS tariff score is applicable to you if you have recently studied a qualification that has a UCAS tariff equivalence. UCAS provides a  for you to work out what your qualification is worth within the UCAS tariff. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
We are interested in creative people who demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design and, therefore, we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
We arrange interviews for all applicants to assess suitability for the chosen course. Your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered, as well as your portfolio of work.
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GCSE grade A*-C (grade 9-4 in England) in English and Mathematics is also required. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Alternative entry routes text
If this course interests you, but you don’t have the entry requirements to join our bachelor’s degree you could consider: 
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Certificate in Higher Education (CertHE).
This is a one-year course offering a comprehensive introduction to art and design, establishing a strong basis for your creative future. During the course, you will engage with a broad range of artistic disciplines and design areas, helping you to discover your passions and refine your skills.
Admissions Advice and Support 
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, such as your background, experiences and individual circumstances. This is known as ‘Contextual Admissions’. For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study. 
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Interview
All applicants to Swansea College of Art are required to have an interview.
We really enjoy the interview process, getting to know you and your work, and we feel that this is the best way to find the right students for our programmes. This also ensures that our applicants have all the information they need to make the right choice for them too.
If you have any queries before your interview, please contact us at artanddesign@uwtsd.ac.uk.
Portfolio
We ask that you bring a portfolio of some past and current work. Your portfolio is a collection of your most exciting and representative work, showcasing your creative abilities, technical skills, and artistic vision. It tells the story of your creative journey, highlighting your unique style, interests, and ideas as they develop. We interpret the term ‘portfolio’ broadly and are happy for you to do the same - this can include finished pieces, work in progress, sketchbooks, drawings, and projects that are still unfolding, as these give us insight into your thinking and creative process. Whether in physical or digital format, your portfolio is an opportunity to showcase your creative journey in a way that feels authentic to you, with each piece highlighting your creative potential and enthusiasm for the programme you are applying for.
We understand that many applicants are still mid-qualification (e.g. A-Level, BTEC, L3, Foundation) and are developing an emerging body of work, so there’s no pressure for everything to be polished or complete.
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The three main modes of assessment used on this programme are:
Studio Projects – work undertaken to fulfil the demands of a given or student generated brief. Projects are set to examine the student’s abilities to master the integration of new design principles and skills to his / her design practice. Studio projects may be set and take place in a variety of forms and over a range of durations, and include activity within the glass workshops, CAD studios as well as traditional design studios. Students may be required to present a variety of types of work for assessment such as; portfolios, sketchbooks and project journals, presentation boards, three-dimensional models, material samples and artefacts.
Written Assignments – work is undertaken by the student in his/her own time. Written assignments may take the form of an illustrated paper or report. In both cases, the student is expected to demonstrate critical insight and proficiency in articulating the results of practice or research-based assignment.
Seminar Presentations – this form of assessment requires the student to demonstrate conceptual understanding and evaluate the rigour and validity of published research. Seminars may take the form of individual and/or group presentations to peers and other professional groups.
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Our students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, and printing.
Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment with them when they commence the course. We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your programme of studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.
A basic ‘art and design kit’ will cost approximately £100 but you may well already have much of the equipment required so check with us first. Also, although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework you may wish to bring your own digital devices, again check with us first before making a purchase.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Visit Go Global with UWTSD to learn more about opportunities to study abroad.
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Swansea College of Art has a long and successful record of producing graduates of the highest professional calibre in the fields of art and design.
Possible career pathways have included:
- Establishing yourself as an artist, designer or maker.
- Setting up a studio as a sole supplier or in a partnership with others
- Employed in specialist glass, ceramic or jewellery studios
- Engaging in freelance work on architectural and interiors projects
- Designing for industry or working in the glass, ceramics and jewellery industries.
- Working on private and public commissions
- Working on art projects and community projects
- Other opportunities include arts administration, curating, teaching and mentoring, community work and arts editorial.
- Continuation of studies to postgraduate level on our MA programme.
- Further academic research leading to MPhil, or PhD is available.
Graduates may naturally be involved in a broad range of these opportunities and increasingly graduates enter employment in the wider creative industries sector where the design thinking and project management skills developed on the course come to the fore. The Professional Development module is designed to enable final year students to develop their external profile and prepare for professional practice.
Swansea College of Art exhibit student work annually in major graduate design and recruitment exhibitions, showing at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea and at new Designers in London as a launchpad for an early design career.
Students benefit from opportunities to work on diverse live commissions with industry partners. This allows students to gain experience, designing for live commissions as part of, or in addition to their coursework. Students are chosen on merit, via competitions, to work on live commissions that further demonstrate the high standards achieved.