Summary
- Duration
- Full-time: 2 years
Overview
This course provides an opportunity for you to achieve a high level of professional craft and design skills in jewellery and silversmithing. The course is based on projects which integrate contemporary design skills with workshop practice, producing pieces both by hand and mechanical means. The main emphasis is on exploring ways of manipulating metal with relevance to the jewellery and silversmithing industry.
Key Facts
If you are interested in developing practical hand skills and wish to gain a broad knowledge of manufacturing processes used in the jewellery and silversmithing industry, then the HND course is for you.
The course is initially based around traditional techniques and progresses towards projects, which involve aspects of new technology such as CADCAM and techniques using lasers.
This combination of new and traditional technology prepares students for the competitive demands of the current manufacturing industry and has established an excellent reputation for highly employable graduates. Collaborative projects and sponsorship from companies such as Delcam, Weston Beamor and Gemvision, illustrate the recognition industry gives to the HND course.
Your learning experience
This is a design-based course, which gives you the opportunity to be creative within structured projects driven by processes and techniques. This enables individual, yet functional pieces to be constructed, primarily from precious and non precious metals.
Knowledge and skills are developed through ‘hands on’ experience in the workshop and you will benefit from demonstrations given by experienced practitioners in the field. The opportunity to work in fine detail, at a precious scale associated with jewellery and gemstones, is complimented with handling larger pieces of metal and machinery, more suited to the production of silverware and sculptural pieces. These practical experiences help you to decide on your preferred scale of work.
Scope for innovation through the integration of knowledge and skills enables you to follow a personal direction in the latter stages of the course. This course offers and encourages creative thinking throughout - the only restriction is your imagination and ability to explore ideas.
Solving three-dimensional and technical problems is an important part of the design process. This ability develops as you gain practical experience across a broad range of techniques and processes, and is a vital skill for successful design.
Instruction in 2D and 3D CAD software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel Draw, Rhino and Matrix helps you to build a professional portfolio. This is used for a mock interview and is excellent preparation for employment within the industry or progression to the BA Jewellery & Silversmithing - Design for Industry top-up degree course.
The HND course has forged strong links with industry through live competitions to provide a good understanding and insight into a career within the jewellery and silversmithing industry. This has led to several employment opportunities with recognised and reputable manufacturing companies.
The practical aspects of the course are balanced with personal research to develop intellectual thinking and are underpinned by field trips and study visits to contextualise processes within commercial manufacturing environments.
Alongside workshop practice and demonstrations, a variety of different learning and teaching methods are employed on the course. These include Lectures, Seminars, Critiques, Team Work, Presentations, Module Briefings, Tutorials with Staff and Artists in residence, Online Learning, Self Directed Study, Study Visits, and Live Competitions.
If you wish to the push the boundaries of jewellery and silversmithing, challenge traditional conventions, and create experimental objects in materials other than metal then we suggest you visit our BA course.
Our learning environment
The course is delivered exclusively at the School of Jewellery, in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter and is a specialist subject specific facility providing students with an outstanding learning environment. It is Europe’s largest institution for training and education across the specialization and benefits from the expertise and involvement with new technology that exists in its JIIC (Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre).
For further information visit Our Building and the JIIC
Course Outline
Course Structure
The course brings together the skills necessary for developing three-dimensional form, including creativity, problem solving, hand and machine skills, theoretical understanding in specialist subject areas, and effective communication of design ideas.
Our staff are involved in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) with local jewellery manufacturing companies providing key links for student competitions and potential employment.
Collaboration with the department’s Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) also provides access and information to up-to-date technology and staff expertise.
You’ll have access to the latest technology with our well-equipped studio workshops. These include a laser welder, a dedicated CAD facility using ArtCAM Jewelsmith (provided by Delcam), and access to all relevant CAD packages, including Haptics technology.
The new technology aspects of the course, and their relevance to industrial practice, have been recognised by industry professionals. Consequently support and sponsorship have been secured from companies such as Delcam, Domino, the Goldsmiths’ Group and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. These links, together with entrance into national and international competitions and participation in live projects, will serve to benefit you in terms of employment opportunities.
On successful completion of the HND you may wish to further your studies and progress to the BA Honours Jewellery & Silversmithing – Design for Industry top-up degree course.
After your studies
Further Studies
For further information on courses contact Birmingham City University Choices. Tel: 0121 331 5595 Email: choices@bcu.ac.uk, or go direct to the courses section of the website.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates can apply for the BA (Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing – Design for Industry top-up degree course. Other career opportunities exist within the jewellery and silversmithing industry to include: bench work, designer, CAD designer/technician, independent designer/manufacturer, retail and marketing.
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
A good portfolio, plus one of the following:
- 120 tariff points
- BTEC National Diploma with 120 points (equivalent to PPP)
- Level 3 Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design)
- International Baccalaureate with 24 points
- Equivalent qualification(s) or experience
Application Details
UCAS Code: 72WW
Search for this course on UCAS.
Enquiries
Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.
Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Fees Notes
For information on fees please contact the Admissions Office directly. Tel: +44 (0)121 331 5800 Email: biadadmissions@bcu.ac.uk
Further Information
The Admissions Officer
BIAD Faculty Office
Gosta Green
Corporation Street
Birmingham
B4 7DX
Tel: 0121 331 5800/01
Email: biadadmissions@bcu.ac.uk