Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Ceramics

The Foundation Diploma in Ceramics offers students the opportunity to further hone their ceramic knowledge and skillset with an aim to potentially develop as a practising artist or progression to higher level study at either HE or degree level. .


Academic Year: 2024/25
Course Code: 11097
Campus: Bangor
Study Type: Full-Time
Education Level Further Education
Department: Art & Design
Course Overview
The aim of the programme is to be adventurous with ceramic media and materials to enable you to develop your own visual language and style within a vibrant and creative industry. Exploring a broad range of ceramic techniques, you will be guided and encouraged to develop your own creative body of work through making, reviewing, promoting, and selling in a context appropriate to the individual’s work. The qualification will be delivered through two main phases: an initial exploratory phase, and a final confirmatory phase. Exploratory phase - learners experiment with diverse media, materials, techniques and processes across specialist ceramic skills areas. You will investigate progression opportunities and develop a portfolio of work to support progression or for promotional purposes such as selling in creative outlets or exhibition. Confirmatory phase - learners produce a personal final major project and draw upon the summation of knowledge and skills acquired during their learning. You will be encouraged to extend personal ambition whilst understanding the professional context for presenting their finished work. In addition, alongside your main programme of study you will also work towards a Personal Development qualification and will be involved in a range of activities, designed to improve your employability.  

There is only one module on the programme called  'The Teaching Learning module' There are six assessment criteria attached to this module, and these are  

 • investigation

• experimentation

• evaluation and review

• realisation

• communication

• self-directed practice

The programme is ideal for If you are looking to further develop and broaden your practical and theoretical understanding and skillset in ceramic practice in both 2D and 3D as either, a bridging year in preparation for progression to higher education for example to a HNC, HND or Degree level study or; You want to start to consider a pathway career in the creative industries.

Learners who may not have had a significant amount of learning of creative subjects at Level 3 Learners who have prior learning at Level 3 within the creative sector, but wish to consolidate their learning further before progressing to HE 

Adult learners with some creative experience, but without Level 3 creative qualifications

The programme offers learners the opportunity to experiment widely and take creative risks in order to develop a broad portfolio of work and professional behaviours required for progression. It also provides opportunities to develop art and design visual skills in both 2D and 3D over the course of study through a process of self-direction, reflective practice and communication, which are key skills for progression to higher education.

You will cover a range of specialist ceramics techniques including throwing, hand-building, mould-making, 3D design, and printmaking within studios equipped to enable learners to use traditional and non-traditional technologies. You will learn how to market, promote, photograph, exhibit and sell your work both in a gallery and online context.

The opportunity to explore and experiment with a broad range of media and materials within a ceramic context.

The art and design studios and equipment available for students. 

The opportunity to exhibit both internally and externally.

The opportunity to develop, make and sell your own work.

The opportunity to develop your own creative voice

The programme aims to develop creative skills valued by higher education and employers, whilst also providing learners with valuable transferable skills.  These skills enable progression to Higher level qualifications such as HNC/HND and degrees or; self employment or employment within the creative industries.

Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design at a PP or an A Level pass at Grade C in an art related pathway and 4 GCSEs Grade C to include English.

Equivalent qualifications will be considered.

At interview, you must bring a portfolio of work displaying an interest and ability in ceramics and other visual arts such as photography.  Details of this will be confirmed in the email invitation at a later date.

You will be required to complete Essential Skills in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT if you do not have a GCSE grade C.

Available Sessions

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Terms & Conditions

Students will be required to comply with SERC's Terms & Conditions of study.

We strive to ensure the description of courses on SERC's website and in publications is accurate. However, for various reasons there may be occasions when the College may need to change arrangements or be unable to deliver classes due to circumstances such as reduced funding. If there are insufficient numbers applying for a course it may not be viable to deliver the class.

Further Education

Further Education

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