THE NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN CALLIGRAPHY

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The National Diploma in Calligraphy has been administered, funded, marked and assessed by the Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society since 1994. During that time many students of calligraphy all over the world have submitted their work for marking and assessment by CLAS Teaching Honoured Fellows. They have realised the benefits of having a goal to work towards, the advantages of having their work considered at an international level, and the help which is given in the detailed comments of the assessors enabling further progress.

The National Diploma in Calligraphy is not a course, but an assessment procedure, and is for students of calligraphy in the Western tradition based on the Roman alphabet.

There are three levels of recognition - Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. The Diploma recognises calligraphy as a form of artistic expression and communication, which combines the use of the alphabet as a means of direct communication, as well as the use of language and the interpretation of literature.

Candidates may submit the prescribed pieces and studies once a year either all at the same time, or in separate Modules over a period of five years. There are three Modules at Foundation level, four at Intermediate and five at Advanced level.

Aims and objectives of the National Diploma in Calligraphy

The Diploma recognises calligraphy as a form of artistic expression and communication, which combines the use of the alphabet as a means of direct communication, as well as the use of language and the interpretation of literature.

The aims

The main aims of the National Diploma in Calligraphy are:

  1. To enable students of calligraphy and lettering to gain accredited recognition in calligraphic skills and knowledge in the Western tradition, based on the Roman alphabet.
  2. To maintain the highest traditions of the lettering crafts as a basis from which to promote innovation in the techniques of lettering and calligraphic production to meet the requirements of potential clients of all kinds.
  3. To encourage the achievement of higher standards of skill, competence knowledge and æsthetic awareness through the art of calligraphy.
  4. To encourage greater satisfaction and fulfilment from participation in the art.
  5. To provide a basic craft qualification for calligraphy teachers and tutors which will indicate a good standard of skills and techniques.
  6. To create bench-marks of recognition of occupational craft at a national level and for recognition of standards for calligraphy as an art and a craft.

The Objectives

This is turn will stimulate and develop:

  1. the understanding and use of the skills and working vocabulary needed to produce works in calligraphic form;
  2. the understanding and use of differing alphabetic forms and calligraphic hands;
  3. the ability to research, originate, design and produce calligraphic work in a systematic and innovative way;
  4. the awareness and appreciation of the historical context of the calligraphic art and its relevance to contemporary practice;
  5. confidence, initiative and the ability to experiment with tools, materials, techniques and design by the harnessing of intuition and imagination in the production of calligraphic works;
  6. the skills to undertake commissioned work.

Foundation Diploma  |  Intermediate Diploma  |  Advanced Diploma

Rules and Conditions of Entry

1 Eligibility

The National Diploma in Calligraphy is open to all calligraphers who submit work in the Western tradition based on the Roman alphabet. Candidates may enter at any one of three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced.

2 Completion of Enrolment Forms

You should complete the Enrolment Form in the National Diploma in Calligraphy Handbook (photocopies are accepted), and enclose it with a cheque drawn on a Sterling account, Postal Order or International Money Order for the appropriate fee made payable to CLAS to arrive no later than the 31st March for assessment in the July/August of that year.

The enrolment form can also be found pdf format here.

3 Submission of work

You must write your name, address, post code, telephone number and candidate enrolment reference number in block capitals on the back of each separate piece of work, and on each mounting board, and on the historical and letter analysis studies.

Label each Module carefully.

You must have completed your entries during the period of study for each level and within three years prior to the date of submission.

It is expected that you will seek the advice of your tutors and others skilled in the requirements of the National Diploma in selecting your work. You should choose only the very best pieces. The pieces submitted and the letter analysis and historical study must be your own work, although it is accepted that your tutor will have given normal help, assistance and advice as part of the course.

If you fail to submit work in time for it to be received as required under Rule 7, then the fee will be forfeited.

Work should be attached to one side of the mounting boards only, and thought should have been given in laying out the work to best advantage on these boards. Work should be firmly attached using proprietary mounting spray adhesives, double sided tape or similar methods. (Wire staples should not be used as they damage both work and Assessors.)

Work should not be framed or glazed. However work can be protected by mitred card mounts if weight allows. Delicate or small work should be protected by careful mounting.

The Submission of Work and details of modules for each level should be used as a guide. Reference can also be made to the booklet Guide for Tutors. However, some flexibility within these guidelines is accepted.

4 Entry Form

You must complete an Entry Form, which will be sent to you after you have enrolled. It should be completed and placed into the envelope provided. This should itself be inserted into the analysis and historical study which is mounted outside the protective boards if this is a Module which is being submitted at the time, or enclosed it within the protective boards of whichever Module is being submitted.

5 Despatch of work

It is important that your work is assembled in one parcel, not exceeding 4 kg total in weight, in accordance with the packaging instructions shown in the National Diploma in Calligraphy Handbook and on the sheet sent to you after enrolling.

6 Damaged, lost or delayed entries

No liability can be accepted for any work damaged during transit, to or from its destination and, while all reasonable care will be taken, no liability can be accepted for any work lost while it is in the hands of the organisers or their agents.

7 Date of submission

Work should be submitted between the 15th June and the 6th July each year for assessment in July/August.

8 Appeals Procedure

The Assessors make every effort to be fair and consistent in the marks they award, and there are checks in place to ensure this. If you feel that you have a problem with the marks, arithmetic or administration, please see the Appeals Procedure in the National Diploma in Calligraphy Handbook.

9 Photographic record of submissions

The Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society reserves the right to create a photographic record of candidates' work for educational and publicity purposes.

10 Disqualification

The Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society Academic Standards Board reserves the right to disqualify any entry which does not comply with the rules and conditions as previously set out above.

Overseas Candidates

NB For Overseas candidates only:
Work may be submitted unmounted and packed flat with your name, address, reference number, and with the Module, clearly marked on the back of each piece.

Other information you may require

Re-submitting Modules

It will be clear from your Mark Sheet if one or more pieces you have submitted as a Module will not have gained sufficient marks to pass the National Diploma in Calligraphy at the level you have entered. If you would like to repeat this (or these) piece(s), then the whole Module (but not necessarily the whole entry if you entered all the Modules in one year) can be re-submitted for re-assessment the following year. You will need to indicate on the Enrolment Form which Modules you are re-submitting.

Appeals Procedure

The Appeals Procedure for the National Diploma in Calligraphy has the following stages. After receiving the Mark sheets, you are recommended to take the following steps in the order suggested.

  1. You should first discuss the Mark Form with your Tutor.
  2. If you remain dissatisfied, write to the National Diploma in Calligraphy Administrator enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. The National Diploma in Calligraphy Administrator will write to you giving you an explanation if the matter is administrative or refer the matter to the Assessor concerned who will consider your appeal in the light of any additional explanation you have provided.
  3. If the Assessor concerned remains of the same opinion, the matter will be referred automatically to the Chief Assessor or an Assessor of equal status who may offer a re-assessment on payment of the appropriate fee, or confirm the Assessor's original decision and explain why.
  4. The Chief Assessor's decision is final.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The Calligraphy and Lettering Arts Society is open to anybody and everybody who enjoys calligraphy and lettering. CLAS extends a warm welcome to new members of all races, creeds, ethnic groups, gender and religion, whether old or young, beginner or expert. Every reasonable effort will be made to ensure equality of access to the National Diploma in Calligraphy assessment process. Any candidate or potential candidate who has a problem accessing the process should contact the National Diploma in Calligraphy Administrator who will suggest appropriate support.

Enrolment for the National Diploma in Calligraphy

Enrolment for the National Diploma in Calligraphy must be made by the 31st March of the year in which submission is to take place.

You should complete the Enrolment Form in the Diploma in Calligraphy Handbook. Photocopies are accepted. UK entrants should return it with a cheque/Postal Order made payable to CLAS for the appropriate fee. Candidates from outside the UK should pay with an International Money Order in £ sterling. The enrolment form can also be found pdf format here.

The fees include return to sender, packaging and postal charges. Return to overseas senders will be by air freight.

On receipt of Enrolment Forms you will receive an Information Pack which will show your Candidate Reference Number, which you should note and quote in any correspondence.

Please read the rules and conditions of entry before enrolling in the Diploma.

Candidates can enter work for all the Modules at their chosen level in one year; this is to be encouraged. However, you may also enter work for each of the separate Modules over a period of time which is set at between two and a maximum of five years. Please make sure that you tick the box on the Enrolment Form to make this clear.

Assessors will do their best to pinpoint successful and problem pieces. If candidates wish to repeat a piece or pieces in the light of the Assessors' comments to improve their mark, these can be re-submitted as complete Modules the following year for re-assessment on payment of the appropriate fee as shown below.

Fees

If sending in work as Modules over a period of years:
For candidates sending in their work as Modules over a period of years (no more than five), please add £30 for Foundation, £40 for Intermediate and £50 for Advanced level to the fees shown here and tick the Modules box on the Entry Form.

The fee for re-assessment of individual Modules is £20 for Foundation, £25 for Intermediate and £30 for Advanced levels.

Diploma level United Kingdom All EEC Countries Other Countries
Foundation £55 £65 £75
CLAS Members £40 £50 £60
Intermediate £70 £80 £90
CLAS Members £55 £65 £75
Advanced £85 £95 £105
CLAS Members £70 £80 £90

Foundation Diploma  |  Intermediate Diploma  |  Advanced Diploma

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