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Key details

Course areas
Art and DesignT Levels
Student type
16 - 18 courses
Course type
Full-time Further Education course
Course level
Level 3
Start date
Tuesday 1st September 2026
Location
Adams Building Stoney Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NG
Course code
Parent course code:C055121 Child course code: Q055122
Apply now

Course introduction

Discover the dynamic realm of Craft and Design through the launch of our T Level in Craft and Design. This comprehensive two-year programme is meticulously designed for aspiring Designers and Craft Creatives.

This course is perfect if you enjoy fashion, craft and design and are thinking of starting a career in the industry.

The new T Level combines workshop- and classroom-based study with hands-on experience working with an employer for at least 9 weeks.

We are currently offering the Ceramics Maker pathway.

As you embark on this educational journey, you'll acquire an array of skills. Your design skills will underpin your practical and contextual knowledge, allowing you hone and master the craft side of the course. As you embark on this creative journey, you'll develop a diverse range of ceramic skills including hand building techniques, wheel throwing, clay preparation, glazing, kiln firing, surface decoration, clay and glaze chemistry.

What makes our programme truly exceptional is its profound emphasis on practical experience. Throughout your course, you'll engage in an industry placement, seamlessly integrating hands-on knowledge with your academic pursuits. Whether your aspirations lie in design work, or craft mastery, this T Level serves as your gateway to a fulfilling career.

You will learn:

You will develop an understanding of a broad range of knowledge and skills relevant to working in the creative industry, including:

  • The creative economy
  • The individual in the creative industries (freelance and self-employment, working within the design and craft industry)
  • Cultural context (including enrichment, trips and visits, raising cultural capital)
  • Audience/Legislation/regulation (including creative social media management)
  • Professionalism and ethics
  • Research skills
  • Project methodology and administration (managing own Creative Briefs and Projects)
  • Professional Development as a Creative including EDI
  • Craft and Design Skills and Techniques in our specialist workshops (we have 3D, Ceramics, Textiles, Photography and Printmaking workshops in our School or Art and Design)
  • Pathway specialist knowledge in Ceramics and Textiles

The creative skills learnt will encourage you to develop confidence in a wide range of materials, processes, design, and making. You will develop an appreciation of the different settings: studio potter or pottery in an industrial setting and related processes, tools, techniques and materials. You will explore different processes, techniques, tools and materials relating to this specialist area.

Our Art and Design School

Our students work and learn alongside professional and successful artists, designers and makers in the heart of Nottingham’s Lace Market, part of the city’s Creative Quarter.

Many of our former students are now successful and nationally-renowned makers, designers and business owners, so we’ve got a strong track record in supporting students to reach their full potential.

All our students enjoy the use of our Grade 1 listed Adams Building as well as our six-storey former lace mill at 25 Stoney Street, which is dedicated to art and design, including extensive studio spaces, a print room, photographic dark room and studio, 3D workshops, a ceramics workshop, a textiles workshop, and industry-standard digital facilities with full Adobe suites. Fashion students use the original lace lofts up in the Adams Building, where textiles heritage meets the future of fashion.

Our students have the opportunity to showcase their work to the public and industry professionals at our art and design exhibition and catwalk shows, which are a real highlight of the year, alongside live and industry set briefs throughout the year.

Our Lecturers

Our Creative department is powered by a team of dedicated and passionate educators, each bringing a unique blend of expertise, creativity, and commitment to their craft. With innovative teaching methods and extensive experience in their respective fields, they not only inspire students but also create an atmosphere of continuous growth and exploration. 

These educators are more than just instructors - they are mentors who push the boundaries of creative expression and cultivate a strong work ethic in every student. Together, they foster an environment where imagination knows no limits, encouraging students to embrace their creativity and reach their fullest potential.

Two students in a design studio

You will undertake an extended work placement of over 315+ hours while you are studying.

Read more

Course information

2 years

T Level Technical Qualification in Craft and Design

You must:

  • Have five GCSE’s at Grade 5 and above including English and Maths, plus a Creative Subject (Textiles, Fashion, Art, Design, Graphics). 
  • Attend an interview with a portfolio of work demonstrating skills and practical application or Art and Design techniques.

This course is for students aged 16-18 only.

T-levels are two-year, Level 3 study programmes that follow the study of GCSEs and Technical Awards and offer an alternative to A Levels and Apprenticeships. T-levels combine classroom theory, practical learning and a minimum 315 hours of industry placement with an employer. The work placement ensures students have real experience of the workplace.

The occupational specialisms are assessed through practical projects. The content for each occupational specialism covers the following topics, which have been contextualised to be specific to the specialism:

  • Creative propositions and briefs
  • Creative product development
  • Design processes
  • Materials, tools, processes, and techniques

The core knowledge and understanding are assessed through an examination and core skills through a practical employer-set project.

Students who complete their T Level will receive an overall grade of pass, merit, distinction or distinction. They will get a nationally recognised certificate which will show their overall grade and a breakdown of what they have achieved. T Levels have associated UCAS points that can be used towards HE progression.

The purpose of the Craft and Design T Level (Level 3) is to ensure students have the knowledge and skills needed to progress into highly skilled employment, an apprenticeship or higher-level study, including university within the ceramics/textiles specialism, or a more general area within art and design.

Students aged 16-18 don't have to pay tuition fees.

If you are an EU/EEA or Swiss National, please visit our EU Settled Status scheme page for more information.

Careers related to this course

Select career:

Textiles, Garments and Related Trades

Potential Earnings

£47,363.54

Average Earnings

£30,763.99

Source: Office for National Statistics' Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Pathways

Production

People in these occupations work with wood, metal, and other materials, make food and beverages, and assemble products in a manufacturing setting.

Art, Performance and Design

People in these occupations create art and fine craftwork, produce and perform plays and motion pictures, and design graphics and other products.
View more about this career

Economic data for careers is provided by Lightcast and also available through our Career Coach app. Job postings, employment and earnings information is represented at the regional level for the East Midlands.

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