Petroc

FdA Art and Contemporary Craft

Institution code P51
Duration

3 years
Course type

Part-time
Study location Petroc (Barnstaple: Brannams)

Petroc is one of the largest colleges in Devon and is committed to driving forward educational success in further and higher education. 

We are passionate about raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, and year after year our students produce exceptional results, enabling them to progress further in training or employment. 

Petroc has been delivering a range of degree-level courses for over 30 years and is proud to be able to provide a wide variety of programmes (from HNCs and Foundation Degrees to Higher Apprenticeships and Honours Degrees) in subject areas including education, computing, science, engineering, and health and care. 

Petroc has three campuses situated across North and Mid Devon with modern and stimulating learning environments. We also offer small classes, extensive student support and exceptional links to local industry. 

Visit the Petroc website to find out how we can help you go further in life.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    PETR1113
    Introduction to Art and Contemporary Craft

    This module introduces Art and Contemporary Craft practices and the accolated materials and techniques. Learners will be introduced to a variety of studio-based practices, the design process, ideas generation, planning, context, creative professionalism and evaluation. Workshops and seminars will reinforce module content.

    PETR1114
    Anatomical Studies

    This module will introduce historical and contemporary anatomical creative practice via a range of transferable techniques and approaches. Students will explore specialisms of drawing, painting and printing as well as wood, metal and stone sculpture. Key visual elements of colour theory, tonal relativity, Fibonacci composition, form, and volume will be explored with personal ideas development stages. Workshops and seminars will reinforce the role of anatomical art practices within context.

    PETR1115
    Form and Function

    This module will introduce the topic of form and function. Learners will explore materials, application technique, key visual elements, and reflect upon a range of aesthetic relationships in design and production. The learning journal will be further developed via ideas generation and documentation of design and practical development. Inspirational workshops and seminars will reinforce studio and workshop activity.

    PETR1118
    Critical and Historical Studies

    Lectures, seminars and independent research will explore issues and examples of art and contemporary craft practice. Students will also develop their own research methodology specific to their personal ideas of interest informing and relating to their own creative practice and professionalism.

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    PETR2117
    Consolidation and Identity

    Consolidation and identity enable students to competently evaluate the learning obtained at level 4 study. Learners will identify key areas for further development and modes of independent research practice to enable maximum theoretical and practical progression with a new personal body of work.

    PETR2122
    Critical Perspectives and Creative Analysis

    Through inspirational lectures, seminars, and their own research, students will explore critical perspectives and creative analysis issues of art and contemporary craft practice via a range of theoretical and philosophical frameworks underpinned with creative industry commercial contextual awareness. This knowledge will advance more personal routes of enquiry and inform the making of an entrepreneurial plan.

    PETR1117
    Reportage

    This module will introduce the context of making work from direct observation. The student will explore and respond to a range of situations and events from life. They will consider the effects media and application technique has on selected topics and subjects. Students will expand their skills depicting human form, environments and still life through a range of recording from life processes.

    PETR1115
    Form and Function

    This module will introduce the topic of form and function. Learners will explore materials, application technique, key visual elements, and reflect upon a range of aesthetic relationships in design and production. The learning journal will be further developed via ideas generation and documentation of design and practical development. Inspirational workshops and seminars will reinforce studio and workshop activity.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    PETR2112
    Interdisciplinary Practice 1

    Interdisciplinary Practice 1 focuses on the solidification of individually tailored pathways written by the student. Knowledge of context placement, creative freelance practice, entrepreneurship and industry employability is further refined alongside the manufacture of item/s made to address notions of audience and marketplace paramotors. Risk taking is further explored as a mode of advancing innovation.

    PETR2113
    Interdisciplinary Practice 2

    This module explores the development of highly questioning proposals which challenge accepted orthodoxies and self-directed study. Students will refine skills, develop additional experimental approaches to making and thinking within an art and contemporary craft context.

    PETR2114
    Employability Skills Development

    This module concentrates on developing knowledge and critical understanding of the skills necessary for the production of professional outcomes within the chosen creative industry sector. It involves negotiating a project brief and recognising individual roles within the overall project structure or undertaking independent research embraced in a portfolio approach towards Professional Development Planning.

    PETR2115
    Public Exhibition

    This module offers students the opportunity to make new subject specific work for public exhibition, with consideration of target audience. Students will collaboratively design an exhibition and promotional materials to showcase portfolios and art and contemporary craft artefacts.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

* UK Government announcement on tuition fees

On Monday 4 November 2024, the UK Government announced a proposal to increase tuition fees for home undergraduate students from £9,250 to £9,535 per annum from September 2025 onwards. The University of Plymouth intends to apply this new fee from September 2025. However, implementation of this increase will be subject to parliamentary procedure. This change applies to new students starting their studies in September 2025. For current and returning students, the University is reviewing fees and will update you as soon as possible.

How to apply

For further information and to apply for this course, please contact the college's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 

Our partnership with Petroc
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Please contact Petroc to apply for this course:

Petroc
Old Sticklepath Hill
Barnstaple
EX31 2BQ

Tel: +441271345291
Email: postbox@petroc.ac.uk

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with Petroc

With main campuses in Barnstaple, Tiverton and Brannams, if you decide to study at the combined college, you’ll be able to take advantage of increased resources and the plethora of learning opportunities associated with them.
Plymouth students working on a group project