This course has an international reputation for its place at the forefront of education in forged metal design. Our graduates create original and cohesive bodies of work in hot, forged metal. They engage not only with the traditional blacksmith’s concern for material, process, and function, but also with many broader cultural, environmental and socio- political conversations that situates the course at the heart of contemporary art and design practice. You can explore a breadth of practice from architectural design to interior product and sculpture. The syllabus for this degree is constantly evolving to meet the demands of a vibrant industry. Supported by lecturers and technical support staff, you will have access to the largest training-based forge in Europe. Additional specialist workshops are also available to you at HCA, including wood, ceramics, textiles, and plastics.
You will be encouraged to engage with both the theoretical concepts and the practical concerns that drive contemporary forged metal design. Alongside traditional making skills, you will also gain an understanding of digital design and fabrication.
**Industry Links**
You will have opportunities to work to commission on external live briefs and develop experience of working to client requirements. Our ‘Masters of Metal’ lecture series is delivered by high-profile, national and international designers and artists, giving insights into their own design practice. You will also participate in specialist masterclasses from industry professionals. Recent contributors have included Roberto Giordani from Italy, Patrick Quinn from the USA and Francisco Gazitua from Chile. Students also participate in team forge events as Hereford Anvils’ such as: the World Championships of Blacksmithing, Stia, Italy - Helfstyn, Czech Republic - Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine, and, have participated in ‘Transition’ exhibition, Ypres, Belgium (2016); Hereford Ferrous Festival (2019); and Bath Iron Festival (2018).
**After this Course**
You will be an independent, critically aware, practitioner equipped with essential business management skills. Many graduates develop careers as self- employed practitioners; setting up design studios and workshops, and producing work ranging from large scale exterior forged metalwork to small gallery objects. Others gain experiences by becoming journeymen working for smiths across the world, or postgraduate study. You can also explore careers in the wider creative arts sector including: consultancy, community arts, teaching or artist residencies.
**Highlights**
1. Highly respected programme, at the forefront of contemporary forged metalwork practice.
2. You will be part of a dynamic and vibrant College of Arts where your design skills will be tested, honed and developed.
3. You will receive specialist forging and metalwork skills training at the National School of Blacksmithing.
4. You will curate and exhibit your work in a professional environment.
5. The programme has close relationships with other major international institutions, including the University of Gothenburg, HDK Steneby, Sweden, and the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale USA.
Course Details - Modules
From your first day at HCA you will work as a creative, developing your skills and your own voice through a series of projects. You will develop your creative practice, practical skills alongside your critical awareness and theoretical knowledge. You will study a range of modules that build your knowledge and confidence and total 120 credits each year.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
W720
Institution code:
H18
Campus Name:
Main Site
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
We would normally expect applicants to have achieved 80 UCAS Tariff Points at entry but whilst qualifications are important, our offers are not solely based on academic results and we may make offers based on other evidence of talent and suitability for the course.
Portfolio submission (where applicable) and successful interview or audition are required.
Mature applicants with relevant experience will be considered. Portfolio and interview also required.
Applicants whose first language is not English and require a Tier 4 Student Visa must achieve Level B2 in an approved secure English language test prior to enrolment. For further guidance please visit the UK Visa and immigration website: www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
85%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
66%
Go onto work and study:
83%
Fees and funding
England
9000.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
9000.0
Year 1
Scotland
9000.0
Year 1
Wales
9000.0
Year 1
Channel Islands
9000.0
Year 1
Republic of Ireland
9000.0
Year 1
International
13500.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
In addition to the degree fees, the nature of creative arts practice means you will need to allow for some additional costs, such as for materials you choose to use in the production of work and activities, and for trips to external events and exhibitions. The courses at HCA have been designed to minimise the impact of additional costs; all course leaders have an annual budget and some trips and materials will be fully funded by the college or heavily subsidised. However, typically, a student will choose to spend an additional £250 in the first year, £375 in the second year and £400 in their final year, depending on scale of work and materials chosen or other related costs. Students spend different amounts depending on the areas in which they specialise and individual choices.
We appreciate that not all students will be able to invest the same money in their work, and staff assessing it will not judge work by the cost of materials or other resources. The college shop includes many specialist materials at good value prices and much digital equipment can be borrowed from the media stores at no cost to students.
HCA students are offered an optional Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for use outside of college hours. In the 2021-22 academic year this cost was £16.24 per month. Please note Adobe Creative Cloud is provided free to use for any student working within the college.
Students on all courses will also have the chance to take part in optional trips that require payments towards their costs. Again, non-attendance will not incur assessment penalties, though trips are designed to help students develop their practice. There is an optional annual cross-course residential trip abroad. In the 2019 -20 academic year, the planned trip was to Copenhagen and the cost to students was £385. This fee included a shared dormitory room, UK airport transfers, overseas airport transfer and insurance. Optional single rooms were available for an additional £200.
Support Available From Hereford College of Arts
The HCA Cash Bursary: is designed to benefit students who are starting Higher Education for the first time; are ordinarily resident in England; the student must be liable to pay the full £9,000 tuition fee for their course & be from a low income family (£25,000 a year or less). Each cash bursary is £1,000 which students receive in their first year only.
Care Leaver Bursary: Care leavers will receive the Cash Bursary of £1,000 in their first year, and will receive a Care Leaver Bursary of £1,000 in both their second and third year. The same eligibility criteria will apply as for the HCA cash bursary. Evidence of being a care leaver must be in the form of an original letter showing Care Leaver Status from your local authority.
Partner Colleges: A first year bursary of £500 is available to students from our progression partner colleges* who have successfully completed their Level 3 or equivalent course within the last 2 academic years and progress on to a degree programme at HCA.
*Partner Colleges include: Bath College, Belfast Metropolitan College, Bourneville, South & city College, Cirencester College, City of Bristol College, Coleg y Cymoedd, Dudley College, Gloucestershire College – ALL Campuses, Gower College, Grantham College, Halesowen College, Heart of Worcestershire College, Hereford College of Arts, Herefordshire & Ludlow College (HCT) (Ludlow College), Hereford Sixth Form College, Newent Sixth Form College, NWRC Derry, NPTC group, Plumpton College, Shrewsbury College, South Gloucestershire & Stroud College, Evesham College, Malvern Hills College, Stratford Upon Avon College, Swindon College & Worcester Sixth Form College
Internal Progression Bursary: All students who have studied and successfully completed a Level 3 course within the last two academic years at HCA and progress to undergraduate study at HCA will be eligible to receive a bursary of £500 in their first year.
Provider information
Folly Lane
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Hereford
HR1 1LT
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