Course structure and content
The MA Carving combines intensive practical work with specialist teaching, independent research, critical enquiry and professional development.
Teaching includes technical demonstrations, supervised workshop practice, individual tutorials, group critiques, seminars, research activities and presentations.
The course is organised into three 60-credit units, supporting your progression from experimentation and research through the development and public presentation of a resolved body of work, followed by critical evaluation and professional development.
Unit 1: Methods
Research, experimentation and material enquiry
You’ll investigate materials, carving processes and research methods relevant to your developing practice. Through practical experimentation, technical investigation
and contextual research, you’ll test approaches and establish a considered direction for your work.
You’ll be encouraged to explore the relationship between traditional carving knowledge and contemporary applications, developing your understanding of how materials, processes and ideas inform one another.
The emphasis is on enquiry and experimentation rather than predetermined finished outcomes.
Unit 2: Practices
Developing and presenting a body of work
Building on your research and experimentation, you’ll develop a sustained body of work demonstrating advanced technical understanding, independent judgement and critical engagement with your chosen area of practice.
Through practical work, specialist supervision and critical discussion, you’ll refine your approach to materials, processes and presentation.
The unit includes the MA Show, where you’ll present your work publicly and develop experience in preparing and communicating a resolved body of work.
Unit 3: Professions
Critical reflection and professional development
You’ll critically evaluate your practice and research, considering its relationship to wider historical, cultural and professional contexts.
Through writing, research and professional development activities, you’ll explore future opportunities and develop your ability to communicate technical and conceptual decisions to specialist and wider audiences.
The unit culminates in a Critical Practice Event, where you’ll present your research, reflect on your development and articulate future directions for your practice.
Practice Web Archive
Throughout the MA, you’ll develop a Practice Web Archive: a digital record of your practical work, research and critical reflection.
You’ll use the archive to document experiments, technical decisions, research findings and resolved outcomes. It forms an important part of your learning and assessment, demonstrating the development of your practice across the three units.
Full-time and part-time study
You can study MA Carving full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Both routes combine scheduled teaching and specialist supervision with independent practical work and research.
Full-time study
You’ll be expected to commit five days a week to your MA, combining practical work, research and independent study with scheduled teaching and supervision.
Part-time study
You’ll be expected to commit three days a week to your MA, combining scheduled teaching and specialist supervision with independent practical work and research.
Teaching arrangements
Graduate School teaching is generally scheduled between Monday and Wednesday, including shared postgraduate seminars and cross-course activities.
Specialist carving teaching, practical demonstrations and individual supervision may also be arranged on other days, depending on the requirements of your work and the availability of specialist tutors.
Your individual timetable and access arrangements will be confirmed by the course team.
Attendance and engagement
Scheduled teaching and supervision vary according to the stage of the course and the requirements of your work. Attendance at all scheduled sessions is expected, alongside sustained independent practice and research throughout your study week.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment combines practical outcomes, research documentation, critical reflection, written submissions and presentations, according to the requirements of each unit.
You’ll receive feedback through specialist supervision, individual tutorials, group critiques and progress reviews, helping you evaluate your technical and creative development and identify priorities for further work.
Your Practice Web Archive supports assessment by documenting your research, experimentation, technical development and critical reflection throughout the course.