Gemmology - MSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
Our Masters programme gives you the tools and techniques necessary to undertake research at the forefront of your chosen gemmological area....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Award MSc
- Start date September 2025
- Fees View course fees
- Subjects
- Location School of Jewellery
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Our Masters programme gives you the tools and techniques necessary to undertake research at the forefront of your chosen gemmological area.
Based in custom designed facilities within Birmingham’s Assay Office, in the historic Jewellery Quarter, you will have access to equipment more commonly seen in research laboratories, and, through our network of contacts, potential access to a greater range of tools.
What's covered in this course?
This course encourages you to investigate gemmological questions and theories, by way of literature-based peer-reviewed research and practical testing.
You'll be supported throughout your studies by our experienced tutors, with a wealth of knowledge and experience between them - all recognised industry professionals.
As well as learning important skills for your future career development from our practical modules, you’ll learn valuable research techniques and analytical skills, which will stand you in good stead with future potential employers.
You will also benefit from the extensive network of gemmologists through our contacts in various organisations across the globe, including laboratories, museum, auction houses and various other related sectors.
The Masters Gemmology course is a great option to further your scientific understanding of the world of Gemmology whether that be through the use of advanced gemmological equipment or whether that be through the theory of crystallography!
Hannah Wiggins
Why Choose Us?
- Birmingham School of Jewellery is celebrating 130 years of involvement in the jewellery trade in Birmingham. The gemmology department has, in recent years, relocated into custom-built facilities within the Assay Office, ensuring close industry contact and a dedicated environment for study.
- You'll instantly become part of the Faculty of Arts, Design and Media’s 6,000-strong student community, and you will be supported by our highly experienced staff, who are all nationally and internationally recognised.
- You will also benefit from interacting with a dedicated cohort of gemmology students, from those studying at undergraduate level upwards, enabling you to build a network of contacts from a varied range of backgrounds.
OPEN DAY
Join us for a Virtual Open Event where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, meet our subject academics and learn more about postgraduate finance, all from the comfort of your own home.
Next Event: 5 February 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
| Essential requirements (UK Students) | |
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BSc in Gemmology or associated subject (e.g. mineralogy or geology) |
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If you do not meet all of the essential entry requirements, you will be required to complete a successful interview in order to receive an offer for this course |
| Extra information for EU/International students | |
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International students must hold a qualification recognised as graduate status and agreed by the Academic Registrar. They must also have appropriate English language skills. |
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Candidates may be admitted without a first degree via APEL/APL subject to agreement of the Academic Registrar, e.g. high level of educational, industrial, or professional experience. |
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IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands or its equivalent. |
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £10,000 in 2025/26
- Full Time
- 18 months with Professional Placement
- £11,000 in 2025/26
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
- £18,600 in 2025/26
- Full Time
- 18 months with Professional Placement
- £20,460 in 2025/26
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
MSc
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
The purpose of the module is to introduce you to a range of analytical tools available for producing accurate, concise, and professional reports. Graphical and other presentation techniques will be covered, along with different techniques to isolate or highlight specific areas/features of the data –this will include graphical analysis tools such as Spectragryph and SPSS, both powerful analysis tools that contain a range of analytical algorithms that can be utilised to derive solutions and conclusions from data sets.
The purpose of the module is to introduce you to an extensive range of research–grade laboratory testing tools, training you in the underlying theory, application and practical use of them. You will gain an appreciation for the interconnectivity between different research methods and testing tools, thus developing an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the different techniques, and areas of spectroscopy.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to research skills and methods to allow you to craft your own research proposal, which will support and inform your major project module. You will choose your own area of interest relating to your specialism for research.
This module will introduce you to the concepts involved in ethics and sustainability within your wider industry. You will investigate and assess the cultural, social, ethical, and environmental impacts of the various activities that take place in the industry as a whole. From sourcing to marketing, you will gain insights that will enable you to address and evaluate the current and emerging ethical and sustainability issues facing every sector globally, as well as analysing possible solutions or developing new ones of your own.
The purpose of the module is to introduce you to areas of crystallography, and crystal properties, and how these impact on areas such as response to treatments, synthesis, and usage, both in the jewellery trade and beyond. By the use of both practical and theoretical techniques you will gain an appreciation for the range of properties displayed within crystal structures, and their applicability.
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practical outcome with accompanying reflective, critical and contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be relevant to your programme and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
MSc with Professional Placement
In order to complete the MSc Gemmology with Professional Placement course, you must also successfully complete this 60 credit optional module in addition to the core MSc modules
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Download course specification
Download nowThe Masters in Gemmology will be a predominantly self-directed study course, enabling you to follow your own research into your preferred area of gemmology (this can be origin, treatment determination, trends or other such field).
You will be taught valuable research techniques and analytical tools, and trained on the advanced lab-testing equipment housed within our Research Lab.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
You will learn of range of skills which will be key to enhancing your future employability.
Specifically you will learn:
- Research skills, both in terms of literature, and numerical data.
- Analytical techniques for data analysis and presentation.
- The ability to operate a range of research level analytical tools, based on various forms of spectroscopy.
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- To be a self-motivated, organised, effective learner.
- Effective time management and project management skills.
Links to industry
Within the gemmology department, lecturers have extensive contacts in the gemmological, valuation, and auction worlds, and can provide a network of contacts for research options, both in the UK, and globally.
UK:
AnchorCert Lab, Gem-A SGA, Birmingham Assay Office, IIDGR, Christies, Sotherby’s Bulgari, Bentley & Skinner.
International:
SSEF, GIA, AGL, AGIL, Alrosa.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Our international students
Our School, and the Gemmology Department in particular, is popular with students from all areas of the globe. We have a wide-ranging and culturally diverse cohort in our BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies degree, with students from Japan, China, Russia, Egypt, America, Nigeria, Somali, and many other countries.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our Gemmology students are based in new, state-of-the-art premises at Moreton Street in the Jewellery Quarter, within the Assay Office Birmingham building.
The purpose-built workshops are spacious and superbly well-equipped with equipment, samples and books. There is access to some of the highest specification of equipment available for gemmological education in the world. Our students also have access to the further advanced equipment housed within the Assay office’s AnchorCert laboratory.
The Research Lab includes a range of spectroscopic analysis equipment, along with the latest diamond screening tools.
Our staff
Miranda Wells
Associate Professor in Gemmology
With a long and varied career in the jewellery and gems industry, Miranda has experience in the buying and selling of coloured stones and diamonds, manufacturing, retail, and design.
More about Miranda