Decorative Arts BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Start Date(s): September 2017
- Duration: Three years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
-
Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
What you’ll study
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Careers and employability
This course has an excellent employment rate, with 93% of graduates in employment or further study within six months of graduating. (DLHE Survey 2014-15)
Graduates from this course regularly feature in the UK’s most influential style publications, including Elle Decoration, Vogue, Wallpaper, and World of Interiors.
Many have gone on to set up their own businesses as designer-makers, with recent success
stories including:
- Brittany Delaney (Brittany Delany Ceramics);
- Esther Patterson (Curiousa & Curiousa);
- Anna Collette Hunt (Anna Collette Hunt Contemporary Fine Crafts); and
- Rosie Norman (Rosie Olivia Millinery).
Other recent graduates work as designers, studio practitioners and stylists for companies such as:
- Paul Smith;
- Vivienne Westwood;
- Philip Treacy;
- Hugo Boss;
- Burberry;
- Alessi;
- the BBC;
- Harrods;
- Fired Earth;
- Habitat;
- Ikea;
- Adidas; and
- Next.
This course also prepares you for a career in teaching Art and Design at any level. After graduation you will need to complete a postgraduate teaching qualification, such as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), to enter the profession.
YouFirst – working with our Employability Team
Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies and up to three years after completing your course.
Connecting with industry
This course is committed to offering you experiences that will enhance your understanding of the industry’s requirements. Live projects and competitions are key, and will help you to prepare for employment.
Recent live projects include:
- the Johnson Tiles design challenge;
- the Craft Council’s Hothouse programme; and
- a project with Nottingham’s Creative Quarter.
Competitions our Decorative Arts students have been involved with include:
- Texprint design competition; and
- the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ International Design Competition.
NTU also hosts an annual Day of Colour which is run by the Society of Dyers and Colourists, and features guest lectures by prominent colour and creative professionals.
This is the only craft-based degree course in the UK that is accredited by the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD), giving you free membership during your studies. You will also have access to CSD online careers advice,
Work placement and internship opportunities
We encourage you to undertake work experience alongside your studies. Course staff will help and support you by directing
you towards work placement and professional practice opportunities.
Our Decorative Arts students have recently gained work experience with companies and organisations such as Designers
Guild, Cath Kidston, Selvedge magazine, Hand & Lock, and the Society of Dyers and Colourists.
Campus and facilities
How to apply
Application for this course is through the UCAS application form.
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
If you are invited to attend an interview at the University, you will need to bring your portfolio with you for assessment. For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Decorative Arts interview and portfolio information.
Application deadline
This course starts in September and applications should be submitted by the UCAS deadline, 15 January.
Applications received after this date will only be considered if places are still available, after all applications received by the deadline have been assessed.
Mature students
We welcome applications from mature students (over the age of 21) for this course. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis.
If you are a mature student, you will still need to apply to us by UCAS form, but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements. You must, however, have a portfolio to present at interview.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades,
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It's your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you're applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Application for this course is through the UCAS application form.
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the international entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where applicable, online work submission, interview and portfolio.
If you are resident in the UK and invited to attend an interview at the University, you will need to bring your portfolio with you for assessment. For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Costume Design and Making interview and portfolio information.
If you aren't resident in the UK we'll ask you to make an online work submission. Download our BA (Hons) Costume Design and Making work submission information.
Application deadline
This course starts in September and applications should be submitted by the UCAS deadline, 15 January.
Applications received after this date will only be considered if places are still available, after all applications received by the deadline have been assessed.
Mature students
We welcome applications from mature students (over the age of 21) for this course. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis.
If you are a mature student, you will still need to apply to us by UCAS form, but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements. You must, however, have a portfolio to present at interview.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades,
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It's your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you're applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
Please also take a look at our International students page and our application guide for international students which are full of advice and information about to the University.
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200. Alternatively, you can get in touch with our staff at the International Development Office, who are always happy to help. Or speak to one of our official NTU representatives in your country.