Ceramics & Glass Certificate of Higher Education - CertHE

Subject to Validation

Discover the beauty and versatility of ceramics and glass through hands-on exploration, developing technical skills, creative confidence and professional understanding as a designer/maker.

Discover the beauty and versatility of ceramics and glass through a year of hands-on exploration. This course celebrates the material qualities of clay and glass, encouraging you to design through making while developing essential technical skills and creative confidence.

You’ll experiment with both functional and decorative forms, learning to transform raw materials into unique creative outcomes. Working within our nationally recognised Materials Lab, you’ll engage with both industrial and studio-based processes, gaining the foundations needed for a sustainable and expressive career as a designer/maker.

### At a glance

* Award: CertHE Ceramics & Glass

* Course length and level: 1-year Level 4 course

* UCAS code: G67W

* UCAS points: 72–120

### Course overview

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to both ceramics and glass, allowing you to specialise or work across both disciplines.

You’ll experiment with both functional and decorative forms, learning to transform raw materials into unique creative outcomes as you develop technical skills and creative confidence.

### Ceramics techniques and making processes

In ceramics, you’ll explore handbuilding techniques and production methods including mould-making, wheel-throwing and slip-casting.

### Combining traditional craft with digital tools

You’ll be encouraged to combine traditional processes with new technologies, using digital tools in our Fab Lab South West to prototype and create moulds through CNC milling, laser cutting and 3D printing.

Learning is student-centred, shifting from lecturer-led briefs to self-initiated projects that reflect your developing interests.

### Professional development and creative identity

As part of your professional development, you’ll learn how to communicate your creative ideas to different audiences, curate and present your work for exhibitions and fairs, and develop a personal creative identity and entrepreneurial mindset.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the technical skills, confidence and professional understanding to take your next steps in higher study or industry, joining a growing global network of makers and material innovators.

### Why choose this course?

You’ll learn from experienced tutors and practising artists who are active in the fields of ceramics and glass, and be supported by our expert technical team and a programme of visiting lecturers.

The course sits within a wider community of designer/makers rooted in workshop culture, where collaboration, experimentation and material understanding come together.

Our teaching is informed by strong connections with industry and contemporary craft practice. You’ll be encouraged to exhibit your work, take part in craft fairs and engage with international forums and competitions to build your professional profile.

You’ll also benefit from our award-winning facilities, including Fab Lab South West, ceramics and hot glass studios, and open-access workshops, all part of one of the top 5 universities in the UK for creative facilities (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025).

### Progression, careers and next steps

On completion, you can progress directly onto BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices at Level 5, or apply to join Workroom Grow, our business incubator, designed to help graduates launch sustainable creative enterprises.

Career opportunities include:

* Designer/Makers

* Ceramicists

* Glass Artists

* Wearables Designers

* Sculptors

* Architectural Surface Designers

* Mixed Media Artists

* Fine Artists

* Gallery and Museum Professionals

* Teachers

* Technicians

* Material Restoration Technicians and Conservators

* Prop Designers