Ceramics: Glaze & Kiln Operations Skill Set
Expand your creative practice, strengthen your technical knowledge and achieve greater control and consistency in your ceramic work. In this course you'll gain valuable studio experience and a deeper understanding of how clay, glaze and firing temperatures work together.
Overview
Campus Perth
When Semester 1, 2027
How On campus
Discover the science and creativity behind ceramic making
Develop your skills and understanding of ceramics and gain the confidence to transform your clay work into beautifully finished pieces. Whether you're an emerging ceramic artist, potter, art teacher or passionate hobbyist, this course introduces you to ceramic materials, glaze development and kiln operations.
Through hands-on studio activities and practical experimentation, you'll explore clay bodies, investigate glaze materials, experiment with surface finishes and learn to identify and troubleshoot common glaze faults. You'll also develop the skills to safely operate and manage ceramic kilns, including kiln loading, firing cycles, temperature control and monitoring techniques.
With access to NMTAFE's specialist ceramics facilities in Northbridge, you'll gain valuable studio experience and a deeper understanding of how clay, glaze and firing temperatures work together.
Expand your creative practice, strengthen your technical knowledge and achieve greater control and consistency in your ceramic work.
- Understand the properties and behaviour of ceramic materials
- Investigate different clay bodies and their firing characteristics
- Explore glaze chemistry, formulation and development
- Conduct glaze testing and evaluate results
- Apply a range of glazing techniques and surface finishes
- Identify and troubleshoot common glaze faults and firing defects
- Understand the relationship between clay, glaze and firing temperature
- Safely load and unload ceramic kilns
- Operate and manage electric and gas kilns
- Monitor firing cycles using pyrometric devices and temperature controls
- Understand kiln design, construction and refractory materials
- Apply safe working practices in a ceramics studio
- An interest in ceramics, art and creative processes
- A creative mindset and willingness to experiment
- Patience and attention to detail
- An interest in learning about materials and their properties
- Confidence undertaking hands-on, practical activities
- A willingness to learn and follow safe studio and kiln operating procedures
- Basic drawing or design skills (helpful but not essential)
- A willingness to experiment, problem-solve and learn from results
No previous ceramics experience is required.
Select your preferred campus and apply
Semester 1, 2027
Details
Course fees
| Tuition | Resource | Total fee* | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | $550.05 | $315.00 | $865.05 |
Units and fees
Core
| National ID Unit title | General | Resource |
|---|---|---|
| CUAACD520 Manage kiln operations | $173.70 | $230.00 |
| CUACER512 Investigate ceramic materials and processes | $376.35 | $85.00 |
*Fee disclaimers
The fees quoted are estimates only and are for the entire course for local students enrolling on a full-time basis. Please view the full list of Fee disclaimers.
Please note fees listed include all units required to gain this qualification. If you're a continuing student and have successfully completed a lower-level qualification that is a prerequisite for this course, you'll only pay for the units that you need to enrol in, to complete this course.
Short courses are non-accredited and differ from the information above regarding accredited qualifications. Full payment is required at the time of booking. Please review the applicable fees, terms and conditions before enrolling.
Enquiries regarding fees can be made by calling us.
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This form is only for course enquiries. If you would like to apply, please refer to the SELECT YOUR PREFERRED CAMPUS AND APPLY section above.