Welcome to your Ceramics course

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Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as a Ceramics student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

Welcome to your Masters degree in Ceramics at Staffordshire University. We look forward to working with you as you learn new skills and discover your potential in clay.

The course provides an expansive creative experience that intersects a diversity of contemporary ideas and practices; from product design to sculpture and installation, we embrace current inter-disciplinary perspectives to investigate ceramics as both material and subject.

Course delivery

As ceramics is a practical subject, the majority of your learning will take place in person at our Stoke-on-Trent campus. During your course you will receive a blend of practical instruction, tutorials, lectures and group discussions to give a rounded ceramics education. You will have your own space within our MA Ceramics studio for the duration of your studies.

Semester one activities

The first weeks of your course will include the launch of your first module(s) and inductions for our comprehensive ceramic workshops so you can start exploring clay in its many different facets.

Pre-learning

The Potters Dictionary of Materials and Techniques (Frank & Janet Hammer)
The Unknown Craftsman (Soetsu Yanagi, Translation by Bernard Leach)
Porcelain and Bone China by Sasha Wardell
Beautiful Thing; An Introduction to Design by Robert Clay

Equipment and software

There is no need to bring anything to the course apart from something to take notes with/on. We will be introducing you to the workshops in the first few weeks, and we will be making available some of the basic tools you need. We have a fantastic art shop at Staffordshire University, where you can purchase and further tools, equipment and materials that you might need.

Download software

Pre Arrival Task

Taking inspiration from a rich range of sources is important in any creative practice. We’d like you to select one ceramic artwork, one ceramic product, one ceramic form and one ceramic surface treatment you find inspiring and think about why they resonate with you.

Sketching is also a very important part of creative practice, and it can take many forms. It enables us to really think about what we are doing and communicate these ideas to others. We’d like you to take your inspiration sources as a starting point and sketch out ideas from this. You could use a pencil in a sketchbook, but that is not the only way to sketch; you can use any media you like on any kind of surface- be creative and find a way that works for you. This will give us a great starting point for the first module and help us start to understand you as a designer/maker/artist.

Meet the team

Professor Neil Brownsword

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.

Neil's profile

Alison Rafferty

Lecturer

With a wide-ranging background in industrial ceramic design, studio ceramics, & research covering shape, pattern, technical process, packaging, marketing and more, Alison is passionate about all facets of ceramics.

Alison's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.