Craft MA (eca)

The MA Craft programme offers an excellent opportunity for independent, focused study as well as a range of collaborative projects and briefs.

Semester 1

You will explore your critical making, addressing a range of issues related to craft theory and practice and learning how to critically connect theory and practice within your work.

Teaching will be focused on the cooperation and compromise required for collaboration and how they affect authority and ownership.

You will work with others in a small group within the cohort on an internal collaborative project.

Semester 2

You will further develop your critical making using cross-disciplinary research methods, both through self-directed and collaborative study. You will establish a critical synergy between craft and design theory within your practice.

Teaching will be focused on:

• the potential of new and emerging technologies
• the impact of technological advances on the field
• the crossovers that occur when disciplines and cultures intersect

You will also work on an external engagement or outreach project.

Final Semester

You will develop a final project through critical making. Your project can take various forms, such as:

• a new process, artefact(s), series of work(s), or collection
• an exhibition
• a conference with a publication
• a research website
• a collected series of articles or essays
• an online podcast series

With our project briefs evolving from year to year, these projects reflect the contemporary developments in craft.

You will have the opportunity to take part in a 1-week external placement in Semester 2.

The programme works in close collaboration with a range of external stakeholders and clients to facilitate live briefs and student design competitions.

Many of our students will have the opportunity to exhibit their work during their studies and will be encouraged to take part in national and international competitions.

This programme is designed to allow you to expand your craft skills and knowledge, and to fully immerse you in the field of craft in a post-digital age.

Your work will be shaped by a versatile skillset and knowledge deeply rooted in the rich world of craft materiality and making, led by hands-on craftsmanship.

As a student of this programme, your learning will enable you to:

• apply a critical understanding of cross-disciplinary craft theories and practices
• demonstrate originality and creativity, in relation to craft and critical making and the traditional and contemporary applications of craft
• use a range of specialised craft skills, techniques, practices and materials that are at the forefront of the field of craft
• demonstrate a range of specialised research methods and techniques of enquiry in relation to autonomous critical making, participatory and collaborative craft practices
• apply critical analysis, evaluation and synthesis to forefront issues in the field of craft
• communicate, using appropriate methods, to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise of craft
• use a wide range of digital applications to support and enhance work at this level and adjust features to suit purpose, including the use of digital technologies and processes
• exercise both autonomy and a collaborative approach to cross-disciplinary craft practice; critically reflect on your own and others’ work, roles and responsibilities of others; identify and contribute to a professional community of practice through collaboration

Graduates of the programme are well-equipped to pursue a variety of careers in the creative industries, and are highly valued for their in-depth understanding of responsible consumption and production through craft practice.

Career opportunities in the craft, art and design sectors encompass a wide spectrum. They range from commercial to high-end markets, as well as freelance and self-employed career pathways. Many graduates go on to work in leading studios, agencies and collectives, or as independent craftspeople, designer-makers and artists.

The versatile and transferable skill set and knowledge you will develop during this programme will prepare you for diverse professional opportunities within and beyond the conventional field of craft, art and design roles.

This could include professional roles in:

• marketing and sales
• retail
• display
• museum curation
• creative businesses

This programme also serves as a solid foundation for those considering academic or research-oriented pathways and careers in the future. As a graduate of this programme, you will be well-prepared for further studies at the postgraduate research level.

The use of cutting-edge digital technologies, which bridge both digital design and physical fabrication, plays a pivotal role in this programme. These technologies directly intersect with the craft disciplines and the craft production process.

You will enhance your craft production with the use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technologies, utilising a wide array of digital tools and equipment, such as:

• 3D printers and scanners
• CNC routers
• CAD embroidery machines
• digital and sublimation textile printers
• laser printers

You will also have access to the diverse range of workshop facilities available at Edinburgh College of Art, including:

• metal and wood workshops
• foundry and casting facilities
• extensive library resources, collections and archives
• Information Services resources

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent, in craft, design, or a related subject.

Applicants from a wide range of academic backgrounds can successfully study Craft. If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of your portfolio and/or relevant professional experience.

You will need to demonstrate knowledge of the subject and its contemporary practice as part of your application. You need to provide evidence of your ability to communicate in non-textual forms and demonstrate your motivation to engage in craft and design-led practices that encompass a wide array of media, materials, and techniques.

We will assess the following as part of your application:

• a reference
• a personal statement
• a portfolio submission

1. Your personal statement (500 words) should introduce yourself and your work and discuss a potential craft project that reflects your approach based on one of the following themes:

• Innovative material-led practices for sustainability: Describe how you could employ innovative material practices and methods to address responsible and sustainable outcomes in your creative practice.
• Contributing to debates on Craft: Discuss how your work could contribute to meaningful discussions regarding the position and perception of craft.

1. Your portfolio collection of visual support material (up to 15 pages) should illustrate your affinity and aptitude for engaging in craft and design-led work. You can include existing project work, a portfolio of drawings, models, and sketchbook developments, or any materials that exemplify your creative approaches to conveying complex information and ideas. The portfolio requirement is a means to assess your creative competency and determine how you might thrive in the MA Craft programme. Prior formal training in art, craft, design, or architecture is not mandatory, but a strong desire and willingness to engage with the concept of craft is expected. If you have professional experience equivalent to academic qualifications, it will be considered as part of the application process.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

On this programme you will likely have additional costs for:

• specialist materials
• essential hand-tools

We may offer study trips and individual field-based projects. You will usually be required to pay for:

• accommodation
• subsistence
• travel costs

The actual amount you will pay will depend on the courses you select and on the nature of each trip.

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding