HE, three years, full-time, day-time
Higher Education
BA (Hons) / Foundation Degree Furniture Making
Course Validated by the Open University.
Course Contact
Richard Jones
Telephone
0113 202 8000
UCAS code
WJ25 (top-up WJ2M)
About
This course combines craftsmanship with a thorough understanding of contemporary manufacturing and modern business practices. You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to work at the highest levels of fine furniture-making.
The foundation degree involves two years of study, after which you can choose to enter employment or to spend another year at College and top up to a full BA (Hons) degree.
First year
You will study and practise a range of essential furniture-designing and -making techniques and processes. While developing hand- and machine-woodworking skills, you’ll also study and/or practise wood- finishing, drawing, AutoCAD, timber technology and the history of art and design.
Modules include:
• Hand Production Techniques
• Machine Production Techniques
• Design and Prototype
• Wood-Finishing
• Timber Technology
• Design Elements & Principles
• Technical Communication
• Contextual & Theoretical Studies 1
• Personal & Professional Development 1.
Second year
You will build on your existing skills and develop new ones in response to more challenging projects. You’ll also study business and new manufacturing technologies for the small business, and you’ll produce a final, substantial piece of work of exhibition quality. You will decide whether to leave the course with a Foundation Degree in Furniture Making, or to progress to the top-up year and achieve a BA (Hons) in Furniture Making here at the College.
Modules include:
• Design & Manufacture
• Advanced Machine Production
• CNC Production
• Personal & Professional Development 2
• Enterprise & Innovation
• Contextual & Theoretical Studies 2
• Final Project.
Third year
At this level, your aim is to develop as an independently analytical, critical, and skilful designer and maker of furniture and/or related wood-based products. You will demonstrate a rounded and holistic approach to your specialist subject and establish your own position or point of view as a budding professional designer and maker.
Modules include:
• Professional Practice
• Personal & Professional Development 3
• Dissertation
• Final Major Project.
Working with industry
Opportunities arise from time to time to work on live briefs and competitions and with external organisations. For example, students recently worked on a live brief for Thorp Perrow Arboretum; some were then commissioned to make wooden seating, sculptural woodwork and children’s play- area furniture. There are also opportunities to visit workshops, museums and national exhibitions.
Resources
You will have access to the College’s extensive bench- and wood-machine shops, enabling you to make full use of industry- standard equipment throughout your course.
Progression and career opportunities
Graduates careers include a range of furniture-production environments, from craft furniture workshops to mass- production specialisms. Career possibilities include the commercial furniture and joinery sector (eg shop-fitting), the built-in furniture industry, and the refurbishment of retail and business premises. Our graduates have the skills necessary for positions ranging from hands-on making at improver level to trainee supervisory and middle management positions. They could eventually start their own business based on high-quality craft skills and their knowledge of furniture- making processes. Alternatively, on completion of the foundation degree, you can apply for a third-year top-up to the BA (Hons) Furniture Making degree course.
Mature students (21+)
We welcome applications from students who are returning to education. We offer many opportunities for adults even if you don’t have conventional entry qualifications. We’re interested in your motivation, your potential, and your ability to follow the course successfully.
Course fees & costs
See course fees page and find out if you qualify for any support.
As this course is closely linked with a career path, you will be expected to have your own relevant tools; a basic toolkit will cost around £200. Alternatively, a set can be borrowed from the College. The cost of projects will vary, but a typical project will incur material costs of between £30 and £110.
The basic toolkit will consist of the following:
- No. 4 smoothing plane
- Combination mortice gauge & marking gauge (turn-screw type)
- Combination square – 30mm
- Dovetail saw 8”
- Marking knife
- Combination oilstone
- Twist drill set (1mm to up to 10mm)
- Countersink bit
- Hand drill
- 150mm & 300mm steel rule
- Tape measure
- 4” or 6” engineer’s square
- Bevelled-edge chisels
- 3-in-1 oil
- Hammers
- Screwdriver sets
Find out more
- Contact our Student Advice Team
- Visit the College at one of our open events
- Contact our Marketing department on 0113 202 8000.
How to apply
UCAS code for the Foundation Degree WJ25
The top-up code for the BA (Hons) WJ2M
Visit our how to apply section.
Course guidance
