The Post Graduate Diploma Advanced Professional Practice allows students to acquire deeper practice-based skills, while establishing their practice in the professional arena, working on high level pieces of work to exhibit at selected trade shows and respond to paid commissions.
The programme challenges students in the way they think about their practice and how they may embrace new opportunities, collaborate with others, take risks, solve problems and adapt to different and innovative ways of working professionally in the Applied Arts arena.
MODULES
- Locating practice: The module is primarily reflective, and exploratory of, professional aspirations. Having established knowledge, position and context of their practice through previous study, this module focuses on the students' current practice, and the development of a self-defined and self-directed focus to the professional development of their work, understood in relation to contemporary, historical and theoretical contexts. Students will explore these issues and concerns relative to their own practice. The module presents the student with the opportunity to plan the direction of their professional practice and to demonstrate their ability to work independently. 20 credits
- Practice and application: This module is concerned with identifying the nature of the student’s individual specialist practice, exploring the nature and dimensions of reflective practice, and investigating problems and solutions. The module presents opportunities for students to consider a range of conceptual and practical techniques, skills and strategies in order to determine a personal programme of practical work. The module provides opportunities to critically evaluate and develop practice within a number of possible contexts. 40 credits
- Advanced Professional Practice: The module is largely directed by the student, who will agree a scheme of negotiated study with their tutor at the outset of the module. Students will be monitored throughout their scheme of work by a tutor. They will need to demonstrate engagement throughout the process via completion of a portfolio of work, a reflective commentary, and evidence of professional engagement. 60 credits
The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.
The programme admission tutors welcome applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements, or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications, usually gained through recent practice within the profession.
These entry requirements are for guidance and reflect the general level of applicants to whom offers are made, but all applicants may be considered on an individual basis where motivation and commitment are considered, alongside academic requirements. All candidates will either be interviewed in person or where this is not practical, via a portfolio of recent work in hard copy or by digital representation.
Assessment is predominantly through practical and design work – maquettes, sketchbooks, samples, and finished objects. Work is presented to tutors, and verbal feedback is given instantly, followed by more expansive written feedback.
You'll be assessed for each module. Formative assessments are used to monitor progress and can take place at any time. These consist of a band grading, plus evaluative comments and a feedback tutorial if appropriate. Grading isn't finalised until the end of the year when work is reviewed and moderated by an external examiner.
Teaching and learning
We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.
We support students as they launch themselves as professional makers, ensuring that they have work in the public arena, specifically agreed competitions, exhibitions, appropriate trade events/publications etc. by the end of the Integrated Masters.
The workshop facilities are open and staffed 5 days a week and students have constant access to the workshops.
Graduates from our current Applied Art programmes gain employment locally, nationally and in some cases, worldwide.
Self-employment and freelance employment are a particular strength within the Applied Arts with a high percentage of our graduates going on to owning their own workshop business supplying galleries and retail outlets.
The fees you pay and the support available may depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on
our fees & finance pages.
Whilst some materials will be available for students to test ideas it is expected that PG Dip students will provide their own specialist materials as part of their professional practice.
You can see the full programme specification here.
If you’re looking for a place to stay while you study then why not take a look at our accommodation section to get more information, including prices.
Those studying at our Plas Coch campus can stay at Wrexham Village, while students at our Northop campus can stay at Corbishley Hall, our on-campus halls of residence.
