The course runs over two years as a series of residential weekends, with six weeks per year at Urchfont Manor College.  Considerable commitment is necessary, both in terms of attendance each weekend and work undertaken during and between weekends in order to gain the maxiumum from this exciting and stimulating course.  The broad aims of the course are to introduce a wide variety of embroidery techniques to the student whilst simultaneously developing skills in basic design.  These skills are channelled into four assessment pieces and six design topics.  The course is continually assessed by the tutor and an internal verifier during the two years, and finally by an external verifier from City and Guilds.