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MA
Study in Stoke-on-Trent - a city renowned for its ceramics industry and home to the British Ceramics Biennial
State of the art ceramics equipment including 2 Wasp 3D Clay Printers and 2 Unfold OpenSource Delta Printers.
Ranked as ‘world leading’, with research impact recognised as ‘very considerable’/‘outstanding’
Studying Ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent puts you at the centre of UK excellence in the industry. Enhance your career opportunities through this internationally recognised award.
MA Ceramics at Staffordshire University is recognised worldwide as one of the leading postgraduate programmes in ceramics for small and mass manufacture.
Renowned for its ceramic design and manufacturing focus, the course offers a broad-based creative experience that intersects a diversity of contemporary ideas and practices. From product design to sculpture and installation, it embraces current inter-disciplinary perspectives that investigate ceramics as both material and subject.
The course continues to build upon a wealth of accumulated specialist knowledge, practical skills and good working practices which have been developed in Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent and at Staffordshire University over many years.
Recent investment in cutting edge technologies provides students with an excellent opportunity to exploit both digital tools with traditional know-how and material knowledge. Although clay and ceramics remain core to this study, it fully embraces an open exploration of other materials which may enrich and extend individual expression.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MA Ceramics
The course is part-time over 36 months. The expected study pattern is for you to complete 60 credits in each year of study to meet the 180 credit requirement.
Professional Pathways, an introduction into ceramic processes and techniques. 30 Credits.
Creativity and Innovation, the dissertation. 30 Credits.
The Collaborative Project, a client led brief. We have collaborated in recent years with Portmeirion, the V&A Wedgwood Collection, Balineum and Phoenix Tile Studio, Steelite International and more. 30 Credits.
Professional Pathways, the first project where students can write their own brief. 30 Credits.
The Masters Project, the final major project. 60 Credits.
Video
MA Ceramics students, Georgia and Alex take you on a tour of their final-year Degree Show. Here, they introduce the techniques and processes uses the produce their pieces.
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The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.
Module code: 3DES70097
Module code: 3DES70080
Module code: 3DES70075
Module code: 3DES70104
Module code: COST70241
You’ll also be considered if you have an appropriate level of interest and relevant experience.
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For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.
Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.
Our kiln room, plaster, print and computer workshops are where you'll create functional ceramicware and sculptural forms using the techniques of slipcasting, plastic clay forming, hand throwing and hand building.
Our modelling rooms will let you realise your designs.
A bustling centre of invention, innovation and creation with two floors of dedicated workshop and collaboration spaces for engineering and creative students.
Book in jobs, pay for prints, collect work and get technical support using our collection of 3D printers that include Mojo, Up Box, Markforged Onyx One, Formlab 3, and Stratasys J55. Print in various materials - resin, metal, carbon fibre and clay!
Our dedicated CAD studios replicates real practice. Here, you'll have access to excellent drawing and computer facilities including the latest industry-standard software such as Rhino, VRED, SolidWorks, Alias, Maya, KeyShot, and Adobe Creative Suite.
Find out more about our ceramics workshops
The Smart Zone fuses state-of-the-art fabrication spaces with augmented and blended reality facilities, allowing you to bring your ideas to life using the latest digital and immersive technologies.
Find out more about our Smart Zone.
Find out more about our Print Bureau
Find out about our 3D printing facilities
Find out more about our computer workshops
Students go on to a variety of careers, from designer to artist, designer maker, teacher, and more, including:
All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.
MA Ceramics graduate, Corinna talks about the history, environment and expertise that helped her to find her own voice and further develop her ceramics practice.
You’ll be assessed on the submission of coursework for each module. It may consist of any one or a combination of the following components:
Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:
If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.
The academic staff will give you formative feedback throughout the course and written assessment feedback for each module.
Corinna Reynolds introduces her final-year project work 'Relinquish'. Corinna developed a fascinating reverse-engineering process to grow crystals which transformed her practice.
Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.
As well as timetabled sessions, students are expected to work independently in the studios and workshops.
We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a workshop you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.
Our teaching team are all professional artists and designers, and active researchers with extensive experience.
Senior Lecturer
Ed is a designer and ceramicist, and Course Leader for MA Ceramics. .
Professor
Prof. Brownsword is an artist, researcher and educator. His research into the legacy of deindustrialisation in relation to North Staffordshire's ceramic industry, has had national and international cultural impact.
P/T Lecturer (Hrly) - Ceramics
Reiko Kaneko is ceramicist, designer and educator based in London. She works at various scales in a range of typologies, designing both products for manufacture and bespoke pieces for commissioned projects.
For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:
If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.
If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.
The expected study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 90 credits in your first year of study and the other 90 credits in your second year of study. If you follow this pattern of study you will pay the same fee for each year of study. You will be invoiced for the modules that you register for each year, so if your study pattern is different from the expected pattern, you will pay more or less each year accordingly.
3D Designer Maker student, Phillippa takes you round the studios and facilities that will help you realise your ideas across wood, metal, ceramics and more.
Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.
The use of all workshops, studios and specialist technical facilities and hire of equipment relating to the course of study.
The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.
Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.
The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice.
Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation
Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.
For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.
The programme has given me the opportunity to not only build on designing and making skills but allowed me the space to learn new ones such as throwing. There are numerous live briefs with established companies that has helped me to focus and refine my vision as a designer and given me the confidence to be more assured in what I make.
Learning to integrate contemporary design with industry focused practical skills during my MA in Ceramic Design prepared me to take on many challenges. I've since worked with artists, communities, schools, industry, fellow designers, academics and multi-national brands. My current role at Burleigh incorporates a lot of facets; from glaze development to pattern design and even being a judge on the Great British Throw Down!
We did a lot of research before we decided to come to Stoke-on-Trent. Staffordshire University was the only place that offered this very niche course which was exactly what we were looking for. We took 18 months out of our work to learn from the best!
The facilities are great, and the tutors and studio technicians are very supportive. It’s made me a lot more comfortable in my area; I’ve gained a lot of confidence, allowing me to be more confident in the work I’m producing, as well as in my abilities.
The MA gave me the opportunity to work on renowned projects, start a career in the academic field and gave me the self-confidence to develop many new pieces. It’s opened so many doors and gave me a huge step forward in my career; I´m really thankful for that and I know the future is promising.
Studying for my Masters was the biggest learning curve I’ve ever been on, but I’ve finished feeling confident and prepared to build the career that I want and have even started my own business as a designer maker.
If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.
Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.
Latest from the studio and beyond
StudentCrowd University Awards 2022
Complete University Guide 2022
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
Research Excellence Framework 2021
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