Making Change: Ceramics & Glass
Do you dream of starting a career in art, design or media? Are you specifically interested in doing a creative Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree or one of our one-year CertHE courses focused on ceramics and glass?
<p>Our free <strong><strong>Making Change Ceramics & Glass</strong></strong> sessions are designed to give you a <strong><strong>taste of studying on our CertHE Ceramics & Glass course</strong></strong>. Whether you want to explore new creative techniques, gain confidence in the studio, or experience university-level teaching, this hands-on programme will give you a real insight into what the course is like and help you decide if it’s the right pathway for you.<br /></p>
<p><strong><strong>Experience university-level studios:</strong></strong> Work directly with professional tutors and practising artists in our ceramics and glass studios. Learn traditional and contemporary techniques in a supportive, inspiring environment.</p>
<p><strong><strong>Develop your skills:</strong></strong> Explore ceramics by learning about slab-building (you will make a functioning teapot) and learn more about glass with kiln-formed glass, and glass casting sessions. You’ll be taught how to decorate, polish, and finish your pieces, discovering how craft and design come together in professional practice, working in our purpose built <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/resources/material-lab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Materials Lab</a>.</p>
<p><strong><strong>Get a Taste of the CertHE course:</strong></strong> These sessions reflect the teaching style, materials, and facilities you’ll encounter on our CertHE Ceramics & Glass, a one-year Level 4 course, giving you a hands-on introduction before you apply.<br /></p>
<p><strong>This course has been designed to support you commencing your <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Undergraduate</a> or <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Postgraduate</a> studies with Arts University Plymouth in September 2026.</strong></p>
Making Change lived up to its name in my case, marking a pivotal moment in my creative journey. I had very little art experience prior, not having done any in school or as a hobby. I embraced the experimentation, letting go of inner perfectionism and started enjoying the process rather than focusing on the end result. Being amongst a group of like minded people filled me with inspiration and cemented my desire to study at AUP [Arts University Plymouth]. Going from never drawing with charcoal, to creating pieces I am proud of in a span of 6 sessions boosted my confidence and made me feel ready to take on university. I felt right at home with the atmosphere and AUP [Arts University Plymouth] values. I progressed onto the Extended BA [course] which has been the best year of my life, and it all started with Making Change.
Making Change student, April 2024
<p dir="ltr">During the course you will make, discuss and experiment with materials and ideas specifically related to ceramics and glass, whilst preparing for entry onto one of our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate"><strong>Undergraduate</strong></a> or <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate"><strong>Postgraduate</strong></a> courses. You will be supported in making an application, and you will improve your knowledge of the higher education sector. </p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Are you a mature student? </strong><br />Did you know that 31% of students at Arts University Plymouth are mature students? We pride ourselves on being a creative environment for all ages.</p><h4><strong><strong>Session Overview</strong></strong></h4>
<p><strong><strong>Capacity:</strong></strong> 16 participants <br /><strong><strong>Schedule:</strong></strong> Wednesdays, 10am – 4pm</p><ol><li><strong><strong>Session One – Wednesday 4 March</strong></strong><br /><em><em>Ceramics slab building – make a teapot.</em></em><br />Learn slab-building techniques and design a teapot of your own. Bring imagery or sketches to inspire your creation.<br /></li><li><strong><strong>Session Two – Wednesday 11 March</strong></strong><br /><em><em>Introduction to kiln-formed glass and glass casting.</em></em><br />Learn to cut, fuse, and cast glass in a kiln. Create a basic open cast mould for your glass project.<br /></li><li><strong><strong>Session Three – Wednesday 18 March</strong></strong><br /><em><em>Glass finishing techniques.</em></em><br />Learn to grind, polish, and apply surface treatments such as sandblasting and stencils to your glass pieces.<br /></li><li><strong><strong>Session Four – Wednesday 25 March</strong></strong><br /><em><em>Teapot decoration.</em></em><br />Continue your teapot project by applying underglaze colours after biscuit firing. Develop your decorative techniques with expert tutor guidance. You’ll be able to take all your finished work home at the end of this session, including your teapot which will have been fired ready to use at home.</li></ol>
<p dir="ltr">You don’t need to have a portfolio prepared - you just have to bring your enthusiasm and meet the following criteria:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Aged between 18 - 70 at the beginning of the course </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Interested in studying at Arts University Plymouth in September 2026</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Want to explore higher education opportunities at an <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate">undergraduate</a> or <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate">postgraduate</a> level</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Eligible for at least two years of student funding or looking at self-funding a Higher Education course* </p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Planning on studying in the UK on a student visa (if not a UK citizen)</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr">Able to attend all six sessions (see dates below)</p></li></ul><div>*More information on whether you are eligible for financial support can be found at <a href="https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies</strong></a>. </div>
<p dir="ltr">This course takes place on campus at Arts University Plymouth with sessions from 10am to 4pm.<br /></p>
Session 1
Wednesday 4 March - Ceramics slab building – make a teapot
Session 2
Wednesday 11 March - Introduction to kiln-formed glass and glass casting
Session 3
Wednesday 18 March - Glass finishing techniques
Session 4
Wednesday 25 March - Teapot decoration
I loved every minute of the Making Change course: it was great to meet other people exploring their artistic practice, and I learnt a great deal and felt very encouraged. I loved the fact that it was not prescriptive, but that Dan [the tutor] was always on hand to advise and inform.
Making Change student, April 2024
<p>To make an application, please click the "<strong>Apply Now</strong>" button at the top of this page.</p>
<p>Please note due to high demand applying for this course does not guarantee acceptance, all applications will be reviewed and places will be confirmed before the course start date.</p>
<p>For further information or to request an alternative format, please email Becky Francis <a href="mailto:rfrancis@aup.ac.uk">rfrancis@aup.ac.uk</a></p>
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<p dir="ltr">Please note that places on this course are limited and subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria above. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Please note that submitting your application does not confirm your attendance, we will be in contact with you to discuss your application. </p>
<p dir="ltr">All courses are subject to participant numbers and will only run if sufficient numbers are achieved. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth reserves the right to cancel a course if insufficient participant numbers are recruited.<br /></p>
