What career can I go into with a jewellery degree?

Studying in the heart of Birmingham’s historic and thriving Jewellery Quarter, you’ll be perfectly placed to make professional connections and gain valuable industry experience. From work placement opportunities to world class facilities, the School of Jewellery offers a holistic, creative student experience, and we’ll help you discover the exciting avenues you could explore when you graduate. 

Jewellery students working at a bench

Jewellery and Silversmithing HND

Our HND course gives you the opportunity to work on live, collaborative and customer-facing projects. Working at authentic jewellers’ benches, you will develop traditional skills alongside knowledge of contemporary, cutting-edge technology. Many HND students go on to complete our 1 year top-up course Jewellery & Silversmithing – Design for Industry, 

With this degree you could become a Jewellery Designer or Maker, CAD/CAM Designer or Technician, or explore management roles in retail environments or manufacturing.

Our graduates have gone on to work with Weston Beamor, Shaun Leane or have established themselves as independent designer-makers.

Jewellery and Silversmithing – Design for Industry

Focusing on new technology but building on existing traditional skills, this leading design course is a one-year top-up, shaping contemporary designers for the jewellery and silversmithing industry. Emphasising new technology, it builds on existing traditional skills to enhance your potential.

With this degree you could become a Jewellery or Product Designer, Quality Assurance and Valuation Specialist, or an Independent Designer-Maker.

Our graduates have gone on to work with prestigious companies such as Tiffany & Co, Cartier and De Beers, as well as setting up their own successful design businesses.

Close up image of metal clock componentsHorology

Combining traditional craftsmanship with the latest technology, this course explores the theory of horology, as well as providing you with valuable practical skills in watch and clock making. As one of the only courses of its kind, our Horology team have extensive industry links and are on hand to help you make valuable connections.

With this degree you could become a Watch Technician, Clockmaker or Restorer, Watch Designer, Museum Curator or Valuation and Appraisal Specialist.

Our graduates have pursued careers with Philippe Patek, Swatch, Cartier, Richard Mille, Omega, Roger Smith and The British Museum.

Jewellery and Objects

This hands-on degree is an internationally-respected jewellery design course. It gives you the freedom to develop your own creativity by encouraging you to experiment with a variety of ideas, materials, processes and techniques. The practical approach to studying 3D design is strongly underpinned by theory and research into the field and its related disciplines.

With this degree you could pursue careers in jewellery or product design, as an independent designer-maker or in management roles within design companies.

Our graduates have gone on to work with Just Trade, Tatty Devine and Fei Lui.

Woman examining gemstone through magnifierGemmology and Jewellery Studies

One of the only courses of its kind in the world, this course enables you to gain the highest level of professionally-recognised gemmological skills. As you’re introduced to a range of gemmological testing equipment, you’ll study diamond theory, jewellery valuation and appraisal. You will also learn to grade diamonds to a professional standard, while sharpening your skills in photography and photomicrography.

With this degree you could become a Gemmologist, Diamond Grader, Stone Dealer, Auctioneer, Laboratory Specialist or Stone Valuer.

Our graduates have pursued careers with Gemfields at the Emrald Mine, Zambia and Fellows & Sons Auction House.

International Jewellery Business

For those looking explore the business of jewellery, this course combines academically rigorous studies with the possibility to apply your skills and knowledge in 'live' projects and simulations. You will study theoretical management models utilised in the jewellery industry, learn how to apply marketing techniques, and discuss how the history and culture of the world has shaped attitudes towards the consumption of jewellery.

With this degree you could become a Creative Director, Brand Manager, Merchandise Director, Sales Manager, Web Designer, Business Analyist, Trend Forecaster or Marketeer.

Our graduates work with well-known companies such as De Beers, Vivienne Westwood, Chow Tai Fook, TTF Haute Joaillerie, Links of London and H&M.


Explore all of our School of Jewellery courses