This course has an international reputation for its place at the forefront of education in forged metal design. Our graduates create original and cohesive bodies of work in hot, forged metal. It is a materials focussed programme with an emphasis on learning through doing. You will receive technical tuition as well as expert design guidance. You will explore the elemental processes of combining metal, fire, air and water to make original hot forged metal objects.The course encourages innovative thinking and skilled making across a breadth of practice – from architectural design, to interior products and sculpture. You will become an independent thinker and self-motivated maker. Over 3 years you will be equipped with all the skills and knowledge you need to earn your living through your creativity.You will develop technical skills with forged metal through both taught and self-directed projects. You will also learn to gather and analyse research material, then draw on this material and process it through different media as part of the design process.Your intellectual engagement with your practice will be nourished through regular discussion groups and seminars. You will benefit from talks by visiting lecturers from industry. You will be encouraged to articulate your ideas through written and visual presentations as well as verbally in one-to-one tutorials and peer groups.Practice in Context, a cultural studies programme, underpins your intellectual development and teaches invaluable critical skills. It will help you set your practice within a historical framework, and learn to examine other makers’ products and practices in order to constructively evaluate your own work and methods.Additionally, you will undertake projects that will guide you towards planning and promoting your own practice as a designer maker.

You will have opportunities to work to commission on external live briefs and develop experience of working to client requirements. Our ‘Masters of Metal’ lecture series is delivered by high-profile, national and international designers and artists, giving insights into their own design practice. You will also participate in specialist masterclasses from industry professionals. Recent contributors have included Roberto Giordani from Italy, Patrick Quinn from the USA and Francisco Gazitua from Chile. Students also participate in team forge events as Hereford Anvils’ such as: the World Championships of Blacksmithing, Stia, Italy - Helfstyn, Czech Republic - Ivano Frankivsk, Ukraine, and, have participated in ‘Transition’ exhibition, Ypres, Belgium (2016) Hereford Ferrous Festival (2022) and Bath Iron Festival (2018).

Many graduates develop careers as self- employed practitioners - setting up design studios and workshops, and producing work ranging from large scale architectural forged metalwork to small gallery objects and utensils. Some use their skills to work for established smiths whilst continuing to evolve their own practice. Others gain experiences by becoming journeyman, working for smiths across the world. There are also possibilities to continue studying on a postgraduate programme, including HCA's own Contemporary Crafts MA.