national diploma in calligraphy

The National Diploma of Calligraphy is tailored for dedicated CLAS members who are committed students of calligraphy in the Western tradition. It is NOT a tutored course but a certification of the level of work achieved.

The National Diploma of Calligraphy is crafted for CLAS members committed to advancing their skills in the Western calligraphy tradition. It aims to honour their accomplishments across three distinct levels — Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced.

These levels offer a comprehensive route to progressively enhance knowledge and practical skills, laying a solid foundation for developing a personalised working style and a portfolio of original artworks.

Candidates are advised to seek guidance from a tutor or mentor and to follow the handbooks closely. Candidates are not required to complete all three levels; they should enter at the level that aligns with their experience.

The National Diploma of Calligraphy is not a tutored course but a certification of the level of work achieved.

The National Diploma is exclusively available to CLAS members. If you are not yet a member (note that Diploma fees do not include membership), please click here for more information on how to become a member. For modular entries, membership is required as of March 31st for all years in which you submit work for assessment.

The National Diploma underwent revisions in 2021. If you have already submitted modules based on the previous syllabus, please continue following that syllabus.

Any enquiries regarding the old syllabus, further assistance, or enquiries about the Diploma should be directed to the Diploma Administrator at diploma@clas.co.uk.

available resources

CLAS is dedicated to fostering the study, practice, and instruction of Western calligraphy in its diverse forms. While the Diploma itself is not a standalone training programme, CLAS is committed to assisting and guiding its members along their calligraphy journey.

To support diploma candidates, CLAS offers an exclusive array of resources, including:

 

Handbooks

These handbooks encompass all essential information, including pertinent deadlines, submission requirements for each module, instructions on packaging your work for assessment, and details on the assessment process. Additionally, they provide comprehensive guidance and support.

Other Useful Links

 

diploma mentors

If you wish to have some mentoring about undertaking, working on, or submitting for the Diploma, please see the list of mentors below and contact them directly.

Any agreement about when or how the mentoring is to take place and the cost is made between you, as an individual, and the mentor. These arrangements are strictly private and do not come under CLAS provision.

Mentor

enrolment and fees

You have the flexibility to submit modules for the annual assessment individually, in groups, or all together. Additionally, you can opt to retake a module to enhance your scores. If you opt for modular submission, you’re allotted a maximum of 3 years to submit all modules at the Foundational Level, 4 years at the Intermediate Level, and 5 years at the Advanced Level. It’s essential to complete modules sequentially, beginning with Module 1, as each subsequent module builds upon the preceding one.

Payment for assessment is due by March 31st of the assessment year. Payment for the return of assessed work should be made post-assessment, upon receipt of an invoice from CLAS.

Enrolment Forms
Complete the applicable enrolment form and email to diploma@clas.co.uk.

Foundation

  • Assessment: £60 (all modules in one year)
  • Modular Assessment: £90 (submission over three years, paid in full the first year a module is submitted)
  • Re-assessment of a module: £20

Intermediate

  • Assessment: £80 (all modules in one year)
  • Modular Assessment: £120 (submission over four years, paid in full the first year a module is submitted)
  • Re-assessment of a module: £25

Advanced

  • Assessment: £100 (all modules in one year)
  • Modular Assessment: £150 (submission over five years, paid in full the first year a module is submitted)
  • Re-assessment of a module: £30

 

payment methods

Credit / Debit card using PayPal

Bank Transfer

Account Name: Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account Number: 00031828

Bank Transfer (Overseas Payments)

IBAN: GB33CAFB40524000031828
BIC: CAFBGB21XXX

UK Cheque

If UK cheque is your only payment method, make it payable to CLAS or the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society.

copyright while studying for the diploma

Using a copyright protected work typically requires seeking permission beforehand.

During your pursuit of the Diploma, you’re permitted to utilise copyrighted materials in your studies, such as quoting excerpts or referencing artworks in your essays. Fair use, a facet of copyright law, permits this usage without prior permission from the copyright holder, on the condition that it’s strictly for your own (non-commercial) educational purposes and that you properly attribute, credit, and/or reference the work.

CLAS may opt to exhibit your Diploma work on our website or magazine. To safeguard against copyright infringement, please indicate clearly in your submissions whether they are copyright protected.

For further information on copyright, please consult the government guidance available at Intellectual property: Copyright – Detailed Information – GOV.UK.

example copy of customs form

Please refer to the example of the customs declaration form on the right if you need to fill one out. Pay special attention to stating the value as “none,” indicating “no commercial value,” and listing the package contents as “examination papers.”

Please note that the rules regarding weight of submissions and arrangements for payment of return postage have recently been updated.  Candidates should refer to this document for up to date information.

become a part of CLAS

Join CLAS today for exclusive benefits including the Edge magazine, CLASnews updates, discounted course and competition fees, exclusive diploma access, free entry to our annual exhibition, invitations to exhibit, and discounts on calligraphy items from L Cornelissen and Son.

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