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National code: CUA51220

Diploma of Ceramics

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Overview About this course

Gain the confidence to sustain your own highly individual ceramics practice. You’ll learn to analyse art theory and combine technical, creative and conceptual skills to make unique hand-crafted objects that can be purely artistic or functional.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

  • Make moulds, casts and surface treatments

  • Draw, design and sculpt

  • Set up firing kilns

  • Document, display and exhibit works

  • Manage studio facilities and safety requirements

  • Present a body of your own creative work with an accompanying portfolio

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

  • A nationally accredited qualification at Diploma level

  • A portfolio of your work that demonstrates your skills and knowledge of ceramic technologies and processes

  • Specialist skills which enable you to practise as a working ceramicist

  • A strong study pathway to the Bachelor of Creative Practice with TAFE NSW degrees

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

This course requires evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

  • A portfolio of your creative visual work with 10-15 examples

  • Attendance of an interview with teaching staff on campus accompanied with a handwritten form answering specific questions

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

  • Foundational skills in creative arts

  • Previously studied the Certificate III in Design Fundamentals or have equivalent practical experience in creative work

  • An aptitude for using your hands to make objects and don’t mind getting messy

  • The ability to supply your own Personal Protective Equipment, such as safety glasses, dust masks and gloves

  • The ability to supply your own clay (some recycled clay is provided). You will be given direction to purchase specific clay and ceramic tools to complete your classwork and assessments. These materials will range from approximately $300-1000 / year

  • Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) at a Year 12 high school level

  • TAFE NSW may ask you to complete a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) skills test.

  • This skills test helps us to understand your individual study needs, to design an individualised plan that supports your study success and ensures your LLN skills match the demands of the course.

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like: ceramicist, ceramic technical assistant, visual artist, sole trader, studio technician or assistant and workshop teacher.

Licensing

Some individual units of competency may have their own licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements. Users must check individual units of competency for licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements relevant to that unit.

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 1 Course

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 0 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

The Diploma of Ceramics does not have any post-graduate courses.

Related study 2 Courses

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Diploma of Ceramics qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 20 Units of competency, including 11 core and 9 speciality units.

Please note, not all specialty units are offered at every TAFE NSW location. It is highly recommended that you check with your preferred campus for information about the specialty units offered at that location.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

  • Make moulds and casts CUAACD511

  • Manage kiln operations CUAACD520

  • Experiment with ceramic surface treatments CUACER413

  • Refine throwing techniques CUACER513

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

  • TAFE NSW Disability Support Service

  • TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support

  • TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)

  • TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service

  • TAFE NSW Libraries

  • Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential

  • Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home

  • LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills

  • Student associations – get social with our student community

Study options Find a location to enrol

Choose from the below study options and locations to discover what works with your lifestyle. Heart your favourites and compare courses.