Craft MA (eca)

The Craft MA programme offers a rich and diverse postgraduate study experience focusing on the intersection between craft practice and digital technologies.

Our programme aims to provide you with the freedom to develop your critical making practice through both independent and collaborative study. You will explore new ways of thinking about craft by critically challenging social, environmental, or political norms in innovative, provocative, or speculative ways.

Your student experience will encompass hands-on practice, heightened sensory perception, and a contextual understanding of new making economies. The programme has been designed to encourage your personal growth, to advance your craft skills and expertise, and to hone your conceptual reasoning.

You will be encouraged to embrace a cross-disciplinary approach to your making practice, through the disciplines of:

• ceramics
• glass
• textiles
• jewellery
• silversmithing

You will consider various complementary materials in your making practice, such as:

• wood
• paper
• plant fibres
• stone
• leather
• precious metals
• plastics
• synthetics

This approach will provide a well-rounded education in craft, allowing you to explore the intersections and connections between different craft disciplines.

Teaching and assessment

Your studies will be guided by a team of accomplished and respected staff and technicians who are expert practitioners in ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery and silversmithing. Our faculty has a profound understanding, specialised skills and extensive professional experience in fields of craft and design.

You will be assessed throughout your studies with us, receiving a range of feedback and grades on your work.

You will submit two key types of work for assessment: practical coursework and a final portfolio.

Practical coursework submissions

You will submit practical coursework at set times throughout the year. You will submit a range of materials, including:

• study plans
• project briefs
• other planning documents

Portfolio submission

At the end of Semester 2, you will submit a final portfolio of work which will consist of:

• material tests
• prototypes
• final artefact(s)
• project books that demonstrate the outcomes of your projects

Your portfolio work will feature in a graduate showcase at ECA.

Is the MA Craft for me?

This programme is tailored towards designer-makers. Throughout the programme you will be encouraged to explore a variety of craft practices alongside a range of new and emerging digital technologies.

The programme aims to provide you with advanced disciplinary knowledge and a comprehensive skillset rooted in critical craft theory and practice.

We welcome applicants with diverse approaches to the discipline of craft, from both academic and professional backgrounds.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in craft, design, or a related subject.

Applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds can successfully study Craft. If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of your portfolio and/or relevant professional experience.

You will need to demonstrate knowledge of the subject and its contemporary practice as part of your application. You need to provide evidence of your ability to communicate in non-textual forms and demonstrate your motivation to engage in craft and design-led practices that encompass a wide array of media, materials, and techniques.

We will assess the following as part of your application:

• a reference
• a personal statement
• a portfolio submission

1. Your personal statement (500 words) should introduce yourself and your work and discuss a potential craft project that reflects your approach based on one of the following themes:

• Innovative material-led practices for sustainability: Describe how you could employ innovative material practices and methods to address responsible and sustainable outcomes in your creative practice.
• Contributing to debates on Craft: Discuss how your work could contribute to meaningful discussions regarding the position and perception of craft.

1. Your portfolio collection of visual support material (up to 15 pages) should illustrate your affinity and aptitude for engaging in craft and design-led work. You can include existing project work, a portfolio of drawings, models, and sketchbook developments, or any materials that exemplify your creative approaches to conveying complex information and ideas. The portfolio requirement is a means to assess your creative competency and determine how you might thrive in the MA Craft programme. Prior formal training in art, craft, design, or architecture is not mandatory, but a strong desire and willingness to engage with the concept of craft is expected. If you have professional experience equivalent to academic qualifications, it will be considered as part of the application process.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Graduates of the programme are well-equipped to pursue a variety of careers in the creative industries, and are highly valued for their in-depth understanding of responsible consumption and production through craft practice.

Career opportunities in the craft, art and design sectors encompass a wide spectrum. They range from commercial to high-end markets, as well as freelance and self-employed career pathways. Many graduates go on to work in leading studios, agencies and collectives, or as independent craftspeople, designer-makers and artists.

The versatile and transferable skill set and knowledge you will develop during this programme will prepare you for diverse professional opportunities within and beyond the conventional field of craft, art and design roles.

This could include professional roles in:

• marketing and sales
• retail
• display
• museum curation
• creative businesses

This programme also serves as a solid foundation for those considering academic or research-oriented pathways and careers in the future. As a graduate of this programme, you will be well-prepared for further studies at the postgraduate research level.