BA (Hons) Applied Art

What you will study

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)

Year one introduces you to the breadth of materials and techniques within the Applied Arts, where you have the opportunity to work across all the material areas, experimenting with ceramics, metal and mixed media.

MODULES

• Contexts 1: Gain a contextual understanding of your subject area through an introduction to critical thinking, analysis and a structured process of inquiry. 
• Visual Communication: Introduction to fundamental theories of visual communication.
• Material Introduction: Introduction to materials and principles fundamental to 3D makers; health and safety, documenting demonstrations, and recording processes and artist’s practice.
• Material Experimentation: Process driven method of creating work, through mould-making and casting in various materials, including ceramics and metal.
• Material Techniques: Focus is on a specific applied art technique, which advances making skills and builds a professional body of work.
• Introduction to Exhibiting: Getting out of the workshop - investigate principles of communicating your work through study trips and exhibition analysis. Culminating in participation of an end-of-year level 4 group show.

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

Year two expands your making skills within your main material choice, developing a depth of knowledge and understanding about materials and craft skills and allowing you to advance your own creative style. The key professional skills of understanding market, publicity and costings are also developed through practical projects.

MODULES

• Contexts 2: Builds on and expands level 4’s Context 1 module to broaden your knowledge and foster critical thinking essential for interpreting the complexities of contemporary art contexts.
• Research and Inspiration: Take personal research through to design proposals, maquettes and material tests suitable for communicating with a client.
• Technical Development: Progress initial designs through to finished object at a professional standard.
• Identity: Develop artistic identity through personal projects in your specialist material area, informed by exploration of open calls for exhibition, design projects and commissions.
• Creative Futures - Making a Living: Develop awareness of career opportunities and professional lives of artists and designers. Explore subject-specific market and marketing methods, record communication with industry bodies and collate costings.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

Year three allows you to realise your ideas in the direction of your choice, with students developing their own individual themes to produce collections, demonstrating high-quality making skills and innovative design solutions.

MODULES

• Research Project: You will undertake a practice-based research project. This approach enables you to locate and establish a connection between your academic and reflective writing within your creative output as an applied artist. 
• Professional Project: Design and create a substantial, self-initiated body of studio work to a professional standard for exhibition.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

UCAS code: W201

Standard entry requirements for BA (Hons) Applied Art 96-112 UCAS Tariff points at GCE A Level or equivalent.

The Applied Art programme team welcomes applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications.

All candidates will either be individually interviewed or invited to an applicants’ day where they will have the opportunity to display a portfolio of their work. Experience may also be taken into consideration, particularly for those applicants who do not meet the academic requirements above, depending on the extent and depth of subject knowledge. Students from overseas, who are unable to attend an interview are invited to send their portfolio of work digitally for consideration.

Teaching & Assessment

Assessment is predominantly through practical and design work such as maquettes, sketchbooks, samples, and finished objects. Work is presented to tutors, and verbal feedback is given instantly, followed by more expansive written feedback.

You'll be assessed for each module. Formative assessments are used to monitor progress and can take place at any time. These consist of a band grading, plus evaluative comments and a feedback tutorial if appropriate. Grading isn't finalised until the end of the year, when work is reviewed and moderated by an external examiner.

Contact time is 14 hours per week for Level 4, 12 hours per week for Level 5, and 10 hours per week for Level 6. The workshop facilities are open and staffed 5 days a week and students have constant access to the workshops.

Career prospects

Our Careers & Employability service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

Designers who can respond creatively to applied art and design problems remain in high demand. Our graduates have careers in a wide range of areas including education, restoration work, museums and retail. A proportion go on to work in or set up their own galleries.

This degree teaches you to be a highly skilled designer maker, utilising traditional craft skills to create objects for exhibition and sale. Alongside the practical skills you will learn, the course will develop your understanding of the core business skills needed as a professional maker, with opportunities to show your work at a variety of venues and sell to the public. 

A degree in Applied Art provides a variety of future opportunities for graduates. Jobs include, but are not limited to:

• Independent Maker 
• Creative Business owner 
• Silversmith 
• Jeweller 
• Ceramicist 
• Blacksmith 
• Gallery curator 
• Teacher 

There are also options for further study including our MA Professional Art Practitioner, MA Interdisciplinary Art Practice and PGCE courses.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

For international students looking to study this course please see our international fees.

Programme specification

Accommodation

At Wrexham University, we offer on-campus en-suite rooms within our Wrexham Student Village. These private, fully furnished spaces are conveniently located, providing easy access to campus facilities, study areas, and social spaces. Plus, you’re just a 10-minute walk from the city centre!

With all bills included, free Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, and large social areas, you’ll find everything you need for a great student experience.

Explore our student accommodation options to find your perfect home away from home.

Subject to re-validation

As part of its continuous quality assurance and enhancement, the University reviews its courses on a regular basis to ensure that they reflect the needs of students and employers. Periodic review of the existing programmes is required every five years and major changes may be made to the programmes during the re-validation process. As soon as the programmes are re-validated the details of the course will be confirmed. The majority of courses that are still ‘subject to re-validation’ are approved by the validation process; however, this is not guaranteed and should the course not go ahead as planned, or be significantly amended, you will be informed by the university and assistance will be provided to those who have been offered a place to find a suitable alternative course either at Wrexham University or at another provider.

International

If you are applying as an European / International Student, and live outside of the UK, you should make your application through our online application system, Centurus.

For information about the university’s entry requirements for EU/international students, please visit our international section.