University of Sunderland

Glass and Ceramics at Sunderland

Starting to study at a new place can be daunting, so we go out of our way to make student life an enjoyable and valuable experience.  You will be encouraged to get to know each other from the start of the course through team projects, educations trips, exhibitions and shows.  We celebrate our student's successes, from prizes and awards to exceptional graduate achievements.

We are based in the National Glass Centre, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St. Peter's, on the north bank of the River Wear. Our facilities are second to none in Western Europe. The National Glass Centre houses 26 glass kilns, including one of the largest kilns in Europe. Three hotshops allow nine glass-blowers and teams to work at one time. Our cold working studios offer air-powered diamond tooling for grinding and polishing.  There are also 13 ceramic kilns and throwing, hand-building, plaster-turning ceramic workshops are available.  You can also make use of specialist facilities for mould making, architectural glass, printing, water jet cutting and lampworking. Internationally renowned professors teach, give masterclasses and contribute to exhibitions in the National Glass Centre's Gallery.

CARCuos is a research centre for the ceramic arts at the University of Sunderland. The centre aims to develop, support and disseminate new knowledge and scholarly activity whilst also providing a platform for discussion aligned to the ceramic arts. For more information check out the blog www.carcuos.wordpress.com

You will also have access to the specialist arts and design library at Ashburne House, which is a vibrant and lively academic centre resourced for all arts and design students. The library has a specialist collection of over 120,000 books, CD-ROMS, videos, slides and one of the largest electronic information networks in the sector.  Internet access to the library catalogue means that you can check what is available from a computer, as well as order items and renew books.

The experienced library staff provide a high quality service and are sensitive to the requirements and working methods of arts and design students.  Introductory library sessions for specific disciplines are available.