Application and Contact Details

Chris Bird-Jones
Phone: 01792 481179 / 481117
Fax: 01792 481179
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Programme Length

This Masters programme, validated by the University of Wales, is offered on both a part-time and a full-time basis (subject to numbers). The full-time mode will be of one calendar year's duration, while the part-time mode has a minimum duration of two academic years and allows for flexible attendance.

Programme Description

The MA Glass programme seeks to develop practice that is concerned with re-evaluating architectural glass traditions, conventions and value systems. It is this rigorous re-interpretation process; both physical and psychological that will inevitably define the parameters of the individual student's personal study. Glass offers some remarkable properties, not least transparency and durability. These have been exploited in the architectural context for thousands of years. Huge advances have been made in glass technology, and it would seem that the possibilities of the material grow daily rather than diminish. The pace of change is such that it has made it difficult for the practitioner to keep abreast of new developments. This MA provides the opportunity to explore these new possibilities and knowledge as well as developing new skills and approaches to working in glass. The MA Glass programme aims to develop those critical and reflective faculties to empower the student to engage in a more proactive, educated dialogue with architects, industry, designers, artists and scientists working in glass.

Programme Content and Structure

The main strands of the programme are: design philosophy, material innovation and glass design. These themes are considered in the context of glass for the environment, to fulfil the need to develop innovative, sustainable and possibly universal solutions for a variety of architectural, public and private spaces.

Part I

Students study the following subject areas grouped together in discrete modules. The total value of part 1 is 120 credits. The full-time students study over a period of one calendar year but part-time students study the same subjects but over two years.

MA Glass Modules:

Contemporary Issues in Design 20 Credits
Research Methods 20 Credits
Decorative Glass Technologies 20 Credits
Glass, Light and Space 20 Credits
Applied Decorative Glass 20 Credits
Glass in the Built Environment 20 Credits

Part II

Part II, the Major Project, is an in-depth investigation into a particular area. This element of the programme will be equivalent to 60 credits. The execution of this project may take a variety of forms and it a process of negotiation between student and project director.

Assessment

The taught modules in Part I are assessed through a combination of coursework and written assignments. The project in Part II is normally assessed through the submission of an architecturally contextualised glass project and report or alternatively a dissertation of not more than 20,000 words.

Part-time mode

A student enrolled on the part-time MA programme would require a minimum of two years to achieve the award. Students typically study one module per term. Part II (the project) will involve regular tutorials with members of the project supervisory team.

Full-time mode

The full-time scheme runs over a calendar year. The 6 taught modules in Part I will be studied over three 10-week terms. Each term includes an allowance for revision and assessment of a module. Part II (the project) will involve regular tutorials with members of the project supervisory team.

Entry Requirements

The normal entry requirements for admission to the MA programme are: 1. an Honours degree or equivalent in an appropriate discipline 2. for graduates of non-UK universities, sufficient command of spoken and written English to meet the demands of the programme (e.g. TOEFL 550 or equivalent) This programme is ideally suited to applicants who are involved with or who have a background in the applied and decorative arts though candidates from a wide variety of design backgrounds will be considered.

To be read in conjunction with this page

Equivalent Qualifications

Equivalent qualifications will be considered for entry onto the programme. For example, a candidate with a good HND, together with at least five years relevant experience would be considered. The candidate would be expected to provide evidence to support his/her application.