BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing

at Hereford College of Arts

Year 1

Investigative, experimental and analytical

You will start developing your practice through a series of taught projects with attention on creating a foundational working process. Studio and workshop projects encourage creative thinking, experimentation and the ability to articulate your ideas. An element of the metalworking tuition is learning technique and process through tool making – a remarkable aspect of blacksmithing, whereby you are able to make your own collection of tools for general and specialist processes.

Year 2

Establishing practice

Projects are designed so that you are advised and led but become increasingly independent, including live projects where you will respond to an actual set of circumstances working towards a ‘client’ brief, research-led projects and professional work experience activities.

Year 3

Resolution of Practice

You are expected to produce a coherent body of work for final exhibition in a professional, self-motivated manner with the continuing support of your course tutors. The professional and entrepreneurial skills you need for a sustaining practice are embedded in this module. You will engage in an extended research project specific to your interests that places your practice in context. You will also complete fully costed business plan, create a professional portfolio and develop an online digital presence.

• Minimum age 18.
• Successful portfolio interview.
• Academic achievement – 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. We may make offers based on other evidence of talent and suitability for the course.
• 80 UCAS Points on the New UCAS Tariff system for 2017 equates to 200 UCAS points on the previous points system – for more details 
• Applicants whose first language is not English – proof of IELTS overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all sections (reading, writing, listening & speaking) is required.
• Applications from mature students with relevant experience will also be considered.
• Recognition of Prior Learning Opportunities – the college welcomes applications from students with prior learning and/or previous experience.

Hereford College of Arts Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for 2022-23 for a full time Higher Education course has been set at £9,000.

Many graduates develop careers as self-employed practitioners – setting up design studios and workshops, and producing work ranging from large scale architectural forged metalwork to small gallery objects and utensils. Some use their skills to work for established smiths whilst continuing to evolve their own practice. Others gain experiences by becoming journeymen, working for smiths across the world. There are also possibilities to continue studying on a postgraduate programme, including HCA’s own Contemporary Craft MA.
 

HCA enjoys a close working relationship with HDK Steneby, Sweden and Southern Illinois University, USA – both of which offer programmes with an emphasis on forged metal. Our association with these programmes creates opportunities for student exchange and progression. A new Metal Art Academy website has been launched that celebrates the graduates of HCA, Southern Illinois University and HDK Steneby with the intention of strengthening relations, building networks and provide a resource that can be used by galleries, curators and commissioners.