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FdA Designer Maker

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Length 2 years
Study Full-Time
Location Rye Hill Campus

Qualification Gained

FdA Designer Maker (awarded by NCG)

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More about the course

With our Designer Maker Foundation Degree you will enjoy practical workshops, insightful lectures and exciting industry visits as you explore ceramics, jewellery, textiles, and small product design. You can choose to specialise in one area or experiment across several, allowing you to discover your unique creative voice.

In your first year, you’ll lay the groundwork in 3D design and craft, gaining hands-on experience in ceramics, jewellery, and textiles and get to grips with digital design tools and software. You'll also explore current debates on ethics and sustainability in the creative industry.

In your second year, you’ll refine your area of specialism, whether that's diving deeper into one field or adopting a multidisciplinary approach. You’ll tackle live briefs set by industry partners, gaining invaluable real-world experience whilst developing your business and entrepreneurial skills. Studying key topics like the circular economy and sustainable design practices will ensure you graduate ready to meet the demands of the modern craft and design industry.

Entry requirements

64 UCAS points (from related Art and Design subjects).

If you are a current Newcastle College student and successfully complete the published Level 3 entry criteria in an appropriate subject, you will be guaranteed a place on this course.

Applicants who have not progressed from a Level 3 course with Newcastle College will be interviewed for suitability.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE Maths and English Language or the Level 2 equivalent (i.e. Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy).

At Newcastle College University Centre we welcome applications from students studying new T-Level qualifications.

Further details on our entry requirements can be found here.

What will I learn?

Year one

Work Related Learning
Academic Study Skills
Personal Development
Craft Skills
Craft Projects
Craft in Context
Reflective Practice

Year two

Professional Development
Work Based Learning entrepreneurship and business development
Craft Skills 2
Design Crafts Projects
Live Projects
Creative Practice

How is the course taught?

Practical assignments
Work-based projects
Presentations
Group work
Independent study

How am I assessed?

Proposals
Presentations
Creative products
Dissertations
Reports
Blogs

Work experience

You will have the opportunity to participate in public exhibitions to showcase your work in each year of your course and benefit from regular talks and tutorial opportunities with professional artists.

Our industry connections will ensure that you develop the skills and knowledge required to succeed in today’s fast-evolving craft and design sector.

Where can I progress?

Once you successfully complete your degree you can progress onto one of our one-year BA (Hons) Design Practice (Top-Up) degrees.

Following a (Top-Up) degree, you could also pursue a career in teaching and progress to study onto a Masters or PgCE qualification.

Upon completing this degree, you could go on to pursue careers as self-employed artists or craftspeople, establish your own studio or business, or work as a freelancer in areas such as product design, jewellery making, textile and fashion design, pottery, or ceramics. Other potential paths include teaching, educational roles, employment in the industry, apprenticeships, or traineeships.

Course costs and information

Tuition fees vary depending on the course and mode of study. Read more about tuition fees and financial support.

Fees for international students vary depending on the course. Find out more about international fees and payments.

It's important that you know what your tuition fee includes and what other costs you'll need to plan for. Read what your fee includes here.

Annabel Reece

Level 6 BA (Hons) Fine Art

"(The course) gives you a good chance to explore everything, if you're not really sure of what you want to do, or even if you just want to try something new! This course really allows you to do that."