Application info

Full time Diploma Course Application

Full-time Course Application

Applications for our full time diploma course starting September 2026 and running until August 2028 are now open! The deadline for submission is 3rd March 2026 at 10pm.

If you would like to attend our open day to find out more about the course, please click here

Please note, we are unable to accomodate visits to the college outside of the open days.

What makes the Clay College diploma unique?

This course is ideal for those who are aiming for a career in ceramics. Almost all past graduates of this course are working as full-time ceramicists which is a testament to its success.

Students will have over 20 hours a week of contact time, for 41 weeks a year. This is the equivalent of a 3 year course condensed into 2 years. It is essential that students attend all of the course. It involves a lot of hard physical work with long hours which is excellent preparation for life as a self-employed potter.

Course Director Kevin Millward is responsible for delivery of the diploma course. He is a highly experienced ceramicist who has worked in education, as a production potter, an artist and in industry. His breadth of ceramic knowledge is unparalleled. Kevin’s core delivery is complemented by visiting tutors who specialise in the skills taught in each project. All tutors are internationally renowned potters and artists who make their living from ceramics.

The Diploma course covers all aspects of design, throwing, glazing and firing as well as hand building techniques. Students take care of managing the studio, learning about clay processing, slip and glaze making, firing, kiln repairs, and studio maintenance. In addition, an introductory business module will be taught in the second year. These are all practical skills which will be invaluable for future careers.

There may be some opportunities for paid work, covering weekend shifts in the College’s commercial gallery and as technicians on evening classes and public masterclass programmes. In the second year, students may also have opportunities to work as evening class tutors, passing on the skills they are learning in the diploma to the public, as well as gaining teaching confidence.

Fees

Fees for the Diploma Course are £11,500 per year which includes all basic materials. Clay College Stoke is a not-for-profit organisation and needs to charge fees to cover staffing and general running costs. Fees paid by the diploma students are subsidised by the College running evening classes and masterclasses for the general public as well as by profits from the Clay College Gallery. Fund raising events and some generous donations provide a very welcome contribution towards the running cost of the College as well as to the bursary fund.

Bursaries

We are able to offer limited financial assistance, based on financial need. These bursaries will be awarded in cases of financial hardship only and will be applied to defray fees across the two years of the course. The amount available will only meet a proportion of total fees, and varies according to individual situations. Eligibility for the bursary scheme will be determined through the application process. Any applicant who may qualify for assistance and wishes to apply should state this in their application form.

Deadline in

2026/03/03 22:00:16

How to Apply

Please complete the application form and Equal Opportunities form and return by email or post by 9th March 2026. By following the link below you will have access to a folder where you can download or print the forms. We also ask applicants to complete a portfolio of pots and attach to their application. The email address to return the form to is contained in the application form.

Access Application Documents