If you are applying from outside the UK/EU, click apply now.
If you are applying for the part-time route, click apply now.
If you are applying for the full-time course from within the UK/EU, click apply now.
This exciting new course embraces the possibilities of making for both art and design. Glass and Ceramics are a focus but you can work in other materials, for example, wood, metal and plastic - as well as digital media. You will work in excellent individual student workspaces in studios in National Glass Centre and FabLab, bringing you into contact with professionals in the field as well as opportunities such as external competitions and exhibitions.
Your first year will introduce you to a range of traditional and contemporary craft skills, through staff led demonstrations and seminars as well as hands-on making. You will learn making skills, ideas development and about key subject themes – all of which will prepare you for self-negotiated projects in your second year where you will learn about making for particular contexts as well as for exhibition. You will start to identify your own voice through your work as well as considering debates in the subject and professional practice. The final year is significantly about developing your degree show work, reflecting on your practice, critically positioning your work and importantly planning for your future career.
Whilst building the core skills of being an artist, designer or maker, this programme also offers the chance for students to develop a broader range of skills and attitudes that can allow them to work in other areas. These include: creative thinking, team working, presentation skills, writing skills, research skills, digital skills, and time management.
Throughout the course, you’ll be assessed through a range of studio practice, visual research – sketchbooks, technical notebooks, and contextual files, your professional development portfolio, written assignments and presentations to fellow students and staff.
View our student galleries.
Our typical offer is 112 UCAS points from a minimum of two A Levels or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award).
We accept a maximum of 6 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications. We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above, which must include Mathematics and English Language; or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above.
If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.
If you are studying a HND or Foundation Degree you may be able to enter onto the final year of our degree courses. For more information, please contact studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.
Portfolio requirements
We’ll invite you to an informal interview to talk about your work, where we would like to see evidence of your creative potential. Previous experience in glass, ceramics or making is not essential.
Please prepare a portfolio of work you have completed so far. We are not looking for perfection as we appreciate you are still developing work. Your portfolio should be simply mounted and include:
If you are an international applicant, please send a link to your online portfolio.
Please see our guide on how to prepare your portfolio.
The annual, full-time fee for this course is:
Tuition fees for part-time students are £6,935 per 120 credits.
Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK.
If you are not sure whether you qualify as a UK, EU or international student, find out more in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
We aim to develop you as graduates who have the skills to work in diverse art, design and making contexts. You are likely to develop ‘portfolio careers’ that might involve a mix of working as artists for gallery exhibitions, designers making work to commission for specific contexts, and makers who can fabricate work for yourselves or others.
Professional ‘real-world’ experience is central to this programme which could include the chance to show your work in public exhibitions, undertake internships, work on real commissions, and competitions – all of which will help you to build a professional CV.
Our modules mirror the approach that professional artists will need to take in their careers. These aspects of the programme will present you with challenges through which you can build experience and confidence for your dynamic career in the creative industries.
Our links with the arts and creative industries are key to giving you the real world experience that will help your future career. Our current links include Sunderland Arts Studio, British Ceramics Biennial, Arts Council England, Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA), National Association for Ceramics in Higher Education (NACHE), Equal Arts, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA) and Nissan.
Our students have progressed from our Glass and Ceramics studios to work with Wanganui Glass School New Zealand, Devereux and Huskie Glassworks, GLASSTORM UK/Danish Studios, Angels' Share Glass, Cumbria Crystal, English Antique Glass, Antony Gormley Studio, Crafts Council, Sorrel Foundation, British Ceramics Biennale and Hepworth Museum.
We encourage students to take part in competitions and they’ve had considerable success:
A key difference between University lecturers and school or college teachers is that university academics undertake research, as well as teaching, in order to advance knowledge in their subjects. Your lecturers will use the experience and knowledge that they gain from this in order to support you to achieve your goals. You are likely to benefit from research in a number of ways including:
I hoping to pursue a career in the architectural side of glass making.
To be based within the National Glass Centre and engaging with artists and technicians is amazing.
I already work here at NGC but I would also like to learn more from other artists around the world.
I wanted to show the positive side of technology, how it can teach us all so much.
Sunderland gave me a fantastic opportunity which has really shaped the rest of my life.
Everyone I spoke to absolutely recommended living in Sunderland and getting the real experience.
Studying glass and ceramics at Sunderland is like being part of a tight-knit creative community.
I really enjoyed making friends and having the freedom to experiment with ideas and materials.
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