Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To create a specialist environment for the creative use and in-depth knowledge of ceramic materials and processes.
• To foster a higher creative ethos for the investigation of ceramic form, material, and process.
• To encourage critical and reflective analysis of materials-based creative practice, and awareness of the need for a balance between intellectual understanding and technical knowledge and skills.
• To foster knowledge and understanding of the critical and historical context of individual creative practice and develop students' awareness of the professional and ethical context for their practice and enable students to identify their own personal creative and career pathways.
• To develop in students the ability to articulate ideas visually  (through a variety of media) verbally, and in writing.
• To develop students’ research skills in relation to the theory and chemistry of materials used in studio ceramics.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The framework for Higher education Qualifications
  (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/FHEQ/default.asp)
• The QAA Policy Statement on a structured and supported process for personal development

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• Grasp the creative uses of ceramics materials and process at an advanced level.
• Innovate with the physical characteristics and properties of ceramic materials and their use in clay bodies and glazes.
• Use theoretical and methodological approaches to critically analyse studio ceramics production.
• Achieve high level personal creative practice in a professional context.
• Advance their articulation of creative concepts and outcomes.
• Integrate visual, practical, and research methodologies required progressive professional outputs.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Conceptualise, evaluate and synthesise, and the creative, critical and professional issues raised by their work and that of their peer group, and develop strategies for implementation.
• Build a framework of understanding to create a body of creative work and implement strategies to realize aims and objectives in an appropriate professional environment.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Adapt analogue and digital approaches to produce advanced quality studio ceramics.
• Perform autonomously to improve personal practice against sectoral best practice.
• Demonstrate team working and organisational ability by engaging with clients, suppliers and peers to realise goals.
• Consider and incorporate an ethical dimension to their practice through negotiation.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply knowledge, understanding, and practical experience in the use of workshops, materials and process creatively, practically and with due regard to all issues of health and safety.
• Be self-motivated, independent, manage time efficiently.
• Maintain and refine effective visual, verbal and written communication about complex and specialized contexts in studio ceramics.
• Exploit relevant research literature and other sources of primary and secondary information.

4. Programme structure

Each of the above modules are offered on a) full time or b) part time basis, by negotiation.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI and additional requirements stated within these regulations.

5.2 With the approval of the School of the Arts, candidates may obtain not more than 60 credits, either from postgraduate programmes of the University, or, with the approval of Senate, from advanced degree studies or their equivalent at another higher education institution in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.

5.3 All taught modules will be assessed on the basis of coursework

5.4 A candidate will be permitted to proceed to the Final Project  after studying taught modules with a total modular weight of 120.

5.5 In accordance with the Regulation XXI, candidates who have the right of re-assessment in a module will be offered an opportunity to be re-assessed in a special assessment period.

5.6 Any student failing to meet the requirements for achieving credit in a module has the automatic right of reassessment on one occasion only. Candidates who have a right of reassessment in a module can opt for reassessment at an earlier date than that of the next routine assessment of the module with the agreement of the programme leader.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification