Decorative Arts, BA (Hons)

This course is an exciting fusion of applied art, design and studio crafts. Highly influential, it is right at the forefront of modern lifestyle design – one of the fastest growing sectors of the contemporary market. Why choose this course?

This degree gives you a unique opportunity to explore, develop and create with a variety of traditional and modern materials, including:

• ceramics
• glass
• metal
• paper
• plastic
• textiles
• wood.

It is a modular degree course, designed to give you a mix of practical, theoretical and technical skills.

You will learn by working hands-on in modern studios and workshops, focusing on areas you are interested in and producing innovative products, designs, ideas and artefacts. We have developed this course specifically to meet the demand for cutting-edge creativity in modern lifestyle design.

Student work gallery
Take a look at some final work from this course in our BA (Hons) Decorative Arts student work gallery.

Open days
To get a real taste of this course, why not visit us on one of our open days?

Can't visit us? Talk to us online...
We know it's not always possible to come along to one of our open events, particularly if you don't live in the UK. Throughout the year we will be running a series of live chat sessions, where you can log on and talk to us remotely.

Find out more about live chats for this course on our live chat webpage.

Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
.

What will I study?

As well as studio and workshop sessions, you'll learn through tutorial, seminars, lectures, and regular visits to galleries, active workshops, design practices, businesses, and museums.

Year One

• You'll get involved in studio and workshop projects, working across a wide range of materials and developing craft skills
• You will learn essential practical IT skills like computer-aided design (CAD), to develop forward through your degree.

Year Two

• You will work on specific design briefs, developing more in-depth technical and craft skills.
• The business-focused modules will develop your commercial awareness of marketing, product development, planning and communication.
• You will undertake short work experience placements, supported by tutorial staff, are designed to hone your skills.

Year Three

• You can choose a specialist area and develop your creative practice, then put together a dissertation and exhibition of your work.
• You can opt for our live trading module as an alternative to a dissertation. It's a commercially focused option that involves producing a business plan and, ultimately, launching a new product in a commercial or retail environment - for the last two years we've opened our own commercial Decorative Arts shop as part of the module
• The final-year degree show provides an important and exciting showcase for your work.

How will I be assessed?

This is based on coursework, with the final year featuring an exhibition of work and a written project.

Student gallery

Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our BA (Hons) Decorative Arts student gallery.

Specialist equipment and facilities

Our studios and workshops are equipped with a comprehensive range of specialist equipment:

• ceramic digital printer
• glass and ceramic kilns and processing equipment
• potter's wheels
• metal and woodworking equipment
• resin and plastics development equipment.

You will also have access to the latest technology sample and manufacturing equipment:

• 3D prototyping unit
• waterjet cutter
• laser cutting technology.

Take a look at our art and design facilities through 360 degree panoramas and images.

Opportunities

We offer optional study trips in your second year and visit leading design cities like Venice and Barcelona. The same year, you'll have the chance to go on an exchange to Kalmar University in Sweden - a centre of excellence for glass blowing and design.

Closer to home, an annual Day of Colour is hosted at NTU; this is an event run by the Society of Dyers and Colourists, with guest lectures by prominent colour and creative professionals.

Our students and graduates exhibit at some of the most prestigious and directional design events in the UK. In London alone, these include:

• New Designers
• One Year On
• Crafts Council and Craft Fair events
• Top Drawer
• Collect at the V&A Museum
• The HUB
• Swatch Alternative Fashion
• Tent London.

International exchange opportunities

Decorative Arts students at NTU have the opportunity to spend part of their degree overseas, either through the School's study abroad scheme or ERASMUS / SOCRATES programme. This includes exchanges to countries like Sweden, Portugal, Belgium, Ireland and Australia where you'll get the opportunity to experience a different culture, meet lots of new people and enhance your degree studies.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change