FAQs on Studying Art Online

No. There is no reason for you to visit the school at any point while studying your chosen course with us.

Yes. Every student who successfully completes a City & Guilds accredited course receives a City & Guilds certificate. Students who complete a beginner craft course or one of our Masters Courses receive a School of Stitched Textiles certificate.

We produce all of our own course materials and train our tutors specifically in teaching at a distance, so you receive the best possible support throughout your studies. If you would like to see a sample, please contact us and we will be happy to share an excerpt.

You receive your course materials via email or internet download and compile and submit a digital presentation of your work via an easy file transfer service. You can choose to print your modules or view them online. As they contain links, galleries, and how-to videos, we recommend viewing them online at least once so you get the full benefit of all the resources included.

The main advantages are speed and cost. Your tutor receives your work and can return feedback much more quickly than if work were posted back and forth, and there is no risk of pieces going astray in transit. We estimate that students save approximately £500 in postage costs alone by studying online.

Online students may have some additional costs if they choose to print their modules, but this is more than offset by the absence of postage and packing fees.

There is also a meaningful environmental benefit. Studying online reduces the carbon footprint of your learning by almost 75% compared with other forms of distance learning, and distance learning itself is far more environmentally friendly than travelling to on-site classes.

For Skill Stage 2 courses and above you will need a sewing machine, unless the course specifies otherwise. Beginner Skill Stage 1 courses generally do not require one, with the exception of our Machine Embroidery for Beginners course.

All courses require basic materials such as needles, threads, yarn, and fabrics, depending on the subject. You can find suppliers near you using our Stitch Directory.

Basic internet and IT skills are required for all courses, and guidance on creating your digital portfolio is included in video format. You will also need access to a digital camera or a smartphone with a decent camera to photograph your work and upload images.

If you are unsure which course is right for you, our guide to choosing your City & Guilds accredited course  is a useful place to start.

Materials costs vary from student to student, as pieces and samples differ in size, complexity, and personal ambition. Costs can be kept to a minimum by using what you already have at home and sourcing additional items from discount stores or charity shops. Some students, of course, find this an excellent excuse to invest in new supplies. It is entirely up to you.

We assess your work through good-quality photographs, which we can enlarge and examine in detail. Guidance on what is required for your submissions will be provided as soon as you enrol. On rare occasions, if something is not clear from the photographs, we may ask you to re-shoot the image, or as a very last resort, send the piece of work in. This is an uncommon scenario and our standards are never compromised.

Absolutely. There are many exciting possibilities open to you, including teaching in further and adult education, designing, writing books or courses, working to commission, and careers in theatre, film, or television, depending on the Skill Stage and subject you choose to study. 

We are always happy to discuss your options, so please do get in touch. You may also enjoy reading the stories of some of our recent graduates to see where their studies have taken them.

No. You are not obliged to continue with your course or its fees if you decide you no longer wish to, or are unable to carry on after initial enrolment. The vast majority of our students do complete their courses and we hope you will too.

Students who prefer to pay in full upfront benefit from a significant discount, and many find it a great motivator to see the course through to the end. Alternatively, you can choose to pay for smaller numbers of modules to spread the cost. Full details are on our payment options page.

This is one of the questions we are asked most often, and it is one we have worked hardest to get right. Our enrolment model is designed specifically so that a small group of students begin their course at the same time, creating a genuine community from day one.

This allows us to set up group blogs and group video chats, led by a tutor, so that everyone starts their course journey supported by others who are at exactly the same stage. In addition to your named tutor, you will have access to our online social media communities and regular newsletters.

If you prefer to work independently and not participate in group activities, that is absolutely fine too. You will still complete your course fully supported, at your own pace.

Take a look at the stories of our graduates to hear directly from students about what studying with SST is really like.