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Discover the stories of our Crafts students

Ceramics at UCA

MA Ceramics thrives in the heart of a town with World Craft Town status, with UCA Farnham also home to the esteemed Craft Study Centre. Guided by world-leading practitioners and frequently hosting guest speakers from the ceramics industry, our MA Ceramics degree course offers you unmatched insights and extensive networking opportunities.  

What truly sets this course apart is the exceptional level of resources and facilities at your disposal. Our team of highly qualified technicians possesses expertise spanning traditional ceramics techniques, including throwing, plaster work, and mould making, as well as cutting-edge technologies such as ceramic 3D printing and emerging techniques. This comprehensive range of resources ensures that you are not only well-equipped but also encouraged to explore and innovate. 

You will have the opportunity to showcase your creations through exhibitions and participation in international craft fairs and events. This exposure not only builds your portfolio but also connects you with a global audience and potential collaborators. 

Furthermore, this course boasts an outstanding track record of graduate success, with numerous award-winning students and academics emerging from our ranks. Graduates also enjoy a high level of employability, thanks to our strong industry connections and a focus on practical, real-world skills that nurture talent and foster excellence.  

Course entry options

Select from the options below to find out more about the different study options available for this course:

What you'll study

What you'll
study

The content of the course may be subject to change. Curriculum content is provided as a guide.

For our students coming from a non-UK educational background, UCA has launched an Integrated International Pre-Masters year.

On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Master’s, and you’ll also improve your English for academic study.

Exploratory Practice 
This unit focuses upon the exploration of individual practice. You will develop your practice into a means of inquiry – investigating the potential of skills, techniques, ideas and themes to analyse and interrogate approaches to practice.  

Research Contexts 
Exploring the design, construction and expression of practice as a process of research, you will be introduced to critical research methodologies which you will employ in your independent research enquiries.  

Reflective Practice
This unit promotes rigorous self-critique and the subsequent progression of increasingly independent practice. You will begin to interrogate your research and practice in a far greater depth with a view to constructing your specific Major Project proposal. You will also consider modes of display, audience and the documentation of work in preparing you for the professional realisation of ideas.  

Professional Contexts 
Focused on professional development, you will engage with opportunities and projects developed with partner organisations. Through group work and individual research, you’ll establish and develop a sense of your position in relation to your identified subjects, interests and practice areas. This unit also includes the opportunity to develop a creative business plan, funding application, or pitch to professional audiences.  

Major Project 
You will undertake a sustained, in-depth and critically informed research inquiry, defining your practice through your own work and an understanding of how it sits in relation to others, whether that’s identified industries, professional contexts, collaborators and/or audiences.  

Course specifications

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change in line with our Student Terms and Conditions for example, as required by external professional bodies or to improve the quality of the course.

Fees & funding

Fees & financial support

Tuition fees

  • 2024/25 entry: £10,500

Tuition fees

Tuition fees

  • 2024/25 entry (MA): £18,000
  • 2024/25 entry (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - 30 weeks): £17,500
  • 2024/25 entry (Integrated International Pre-Masters course - 15 weeks): £8,750

Please note: the fees listed here are correct for the stated academic year only. For more detailed information about our course fees please see our fees and finance pages

UCA scholarships and fee discounts

At UCA we have a number of financial support information available to assist you with the cost of your studies.

Current UCA students and alumni may be eligible for a tuition fee discount.

Financial support

There are lots of ways you can access additional financial support to help you fund your studies - both from UCA and from external sources. Discover what support you might qualify for please see our scholarships and fee discounts.

Additional course costs

In addition to the tuition fees there may be other costs for your course. The things that you are likely to need to budget for to get the most out of a creative arts education will include books, printing costs, occasional or optional study trips and/or project materials.

These costs will vary according to the nature of your project work and the individual choices that you make. Please see the Additional Course Costs section of your Course Information for details of the costs you may incur.

Facilities

Our Farnham campus provides first-rate facilities with extensive workshops and equipment to support your study. This includes, a throwing room with wet and dry stores, hand building studio space and plaster workshop, glaze room with application equipment and Kiln room for gas, electric and reduction firing. It's also home to our Crafts Study Centre - a purpose-built museum, research centre and gallery dedicated to crafts.

View 360 virtual tour

Ceramics throwing room, UCA Farnham

Glaze room, UCA Farnham

Throwing room, UCA Farnham

Kiln room, UCA Farnham

Explore our gradshow

Each year, we’re privileged to be able to share our graduates’ incredible work with the world. And now’s your chance to take a look.

Visit the online showcase
Ros Perton

"My time at UCA was really great; the diversity of expertise amongst both staff and students was very thought-provoking and encouraged experimentation, which the fantastic facilities made possible."

Ros Perton

Entry & portfolio requirements

Entry & portfolio
requirements

MA course

  • A good honours degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline

and/or

  • Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.

Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. You can either submit a digital portfolio or request an in-person portfolio review with the course team. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

More portfolio advice

MA course

The entry requirements for this course will depend on the country your qualifications are from, please check the equivalent qualifications for your country:

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

You will be required to submit a portfolio for review. Further information on specific portfolio requirements and how to submit your portfolio will be sent to you after we have reviewed your application.


MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course

  • A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

You will be required to submit a portfolio for review. Further information on specific portfolio requirements and how to submit your portfolio will be sent to you after we have reviewed your application.


English language requirements

To study at UCA, you'll need to have a certain level of English language skill. And so, to make sure you meet the requirements of your course, we ask for evidence of your English language ability, please check the level of English language required:

Don't meet the international entry requirements or English language requirements?

You may be able to enter the course through the following entry pathways:

Apply now

Please use the following fields to help select the right application link for you: