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Jewellery and Related Products - GradDip

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

This unique one-year Graduate Diploma is a two-semester practical course in jewellery and related products aimed at pre-Masters level study. The course gives you the opportunity to develop your portfolio, specifically in the field of contemporary jewellery, to better enable progression onto MA or other higher-level study, and Studio practice....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

This unique one-year Graduate Diploma is a two-semester practical course in jewellery and related products aimed at pre-Masters level study. The course gives you the opportunity to develop your portfolio, specifically in the field of contemporary jewellery, to better enable progression onto MA or other higher-level study, and Studio practice.

The Graduate Diploma will encourage creative jewellery and related product studio practice that develops confidence in self-directed study and independent creative practice skills. You’ll acquire the professional and academic development needed for progression onto MA study and into industry.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

During this course, you will gain knowledge and understanding of Studio practice as a designer-maker within the industry through guest talks, and location visits. You will develop your understanding of the historical and theoretical underpinnings of contemporary jewellery with regular lecture and seminar sessions throughout the course.

The course provides a significant amount of technical and studio based learning and teaching to help you gain an understanding of a range of skills, materials and techniques. You’ll be supported and encouraged to create innovative designs to a high standard of professionalism for your final body of work.

During your studies you will gain hands-on experience through the demonstrations and use of machinery and processes available within the school. You will explore modelling and prototype development skills and critical design thinking, as well as communication skills through presenting your work and ideas to your peers and tutors.

You are strongly encouraged to identify and develop your own specific design interests and will be guided through developing critical reflective skills whilst enhancing your competence in sustaining an in-depth studio material practice within the specifics of jewellery and related product studio techniques and processes. Participation in critical reflective discussions around your progress and development is core to this course and will help prepare you for future progression.

The course concludes with an exhibition of your final collection alongside other completing undergraduate students at the School of Jewellery. This gives you the experience of showcasing a professional body of work as well as being a part of the end of year celebrations.

Past graduates from this course have been shortlisted as part of the Global Design Awards in ArtsThread, a design graduate platform that provides exposure to an international audience and a launchpad for creative practice graduates.

During my time here I’ve learned to develop my ideas not only through thinking, but making too. Creating a lot of pieces helped me develop new ideas and ways of working. I learnt to have courage to use new materials, try new techniques and explore deeper when I find something interesting. I’ve learnt how to manipulate materials in new, innovative ways.

Yawen Zhang

Why Choose Us?

  • A unique course preparing you for Masters study.
  • All graduates with distinction from the course are automatically accepted onto our MA in Jewellery and Related Products.
  • Hands-on experience of technical processes.
  • Ability to identify and develop your own creative practice. 
  • Founded in 1890, our internationally-renowned School of Jewellery is the largest in Europe, located in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter. An estimated 40 per cent of British jewellery is still made there today and you’ll gain contacts, inspiration and experience.
  • The School of Jewellery has strong and well-established links with national jewellery industry, including companies such as Georg Jensen, Denmark.
  • Sponsorship, support and strong collaborative links with industry will help you to develop an entrepreneurial outlook and an insight into the professional world.
  • We have an excellent reputation for highly employable, creative graduates with an in-depth understanding of the latest technology and the manufacturing industry.
  • Our Technology Hub offers expertise in a range of industry-related techniques, including CAD and manufacturing, rapid prototyping, surface finishing, reverse engineering and project management.
  • We also have a rolling programme of Artist in Residences (AIRs) who have diverse skills and knowledge to share with you and contribute to your learning experience.

OPEN DAY

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Event: 24 November 2024

Book now

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

UK students

Undergraduate honours degree, first or upper second, in an Art and Design related subject.

Candidates may be admitted without an Art/Design degree via APEL/APL subject to agreement of Academic Registrar, for example if they have a high level of educational, industrial or professional experience.

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

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

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: GradDip

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • £10,000 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: GradDip

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • £18,600 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Specialist software 

You will be able to access free licences for specialist software such as Rhino 3D CAD.  

Free Adobe Creative Cloud licence 

Students studying on this course can request a free licence to install the entire suite of applications on up to two personal devices. 

Project materials (mandatory) 

This course includes project work that requires you to develop and produce a portfolio or collection. You'll be expected to provide the materials for use in your individual major projects. Costs will vary depending on the materials selected, but we recommend you budget £300-£1500 depending on materials used.  

Clothing and safety equipment (mandatory) 

This course requires the purchase of clothing and/or safety equipment. Safety shoes (£30-£40), leather or heavy canvas aprons (£10-£25), and safety glasses (£3).  

Specialist equipment (mandatory) 

This course requires the purchase of specialist equipment, including a basic tool kit of hand tools at an estimated cost of £200-£300.  

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Field trips (optional) 

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost. 

Gallery visits (optional) 

It is advisable for all Creative Arts students to visit exhibitions, galleries and other creative and cultural institutions and events depending on your own individual area of interest. Travel and entry costs may be associated with this. 

Books (optional) 

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy. We suggest budgeting approximately £100 for this. 

Personal equipment (optional) 

Whilst not essential, it is advised you own a computer or laptop capable of 3D CAD and project work.   

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

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

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

Download course specification

Download now

A variety of different learning and teaching approaches are employed on your course to support your continuous learning throughout your time here.

These approaches include the following activities:

  • workshop based demonstrations and practice
  • lectures
  • seminars
  • group critiques
  • team work
  • presentations
  • group and individual tutorials
  • online learning via Moodle
  • industry and gallery visits
  • self-directed study and one day projects

The course generally continues the undergraduate and School’s philosophy of teaching through a practical “hands-on” learning experience called “Experiential Learning” This means that you will be learning by “doing”, and designing via making. Experimenting with materials, process and techniques is encouraged. This enables you to actively engage with and solve three-dimensional problems, whilst developing your designing, making and craft skills.

Trips and visits

Visits to local industry in the Jewellery Quarter such as Cooksonsgold, one of UK’s largest jewellery suppliers and bullion dealers, is included in the course. Additional visits to galleries and exhibitions and taking advantage of cultural opportunities within the city and the UK is an important part of the enrichment of the course. 

Employability

Enhancing your employability skills

Graduates from the School of Jewellery are highly employable and are familiar with the latest industry skills and techniques.

You’ll have the knowledge and skill to work with the materials, processes and techniques to create innovative 2D and 3D design.

The course will have enabled you to demonstrate independent thinking and the ability to prepare and realise a successful self-initiated project.

You’ll have a collection of work, completed to a high standard of professionalism, which shows your creative identity.

You’ll also develop a range of transferable skills, such as how to communicate ideas and solve problems, as well as developing negotiation and planning skills.

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:

Our international students

This course is ideal for international students looking to top up their skills before taking an MA.

The international reputation and outstanding location in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter attracts students from all over the world. Our course is particularly popular with students from the Far East who want to study advanced design techniques from top professionals.

Facilities & Staff

Jewellery facilities gallery image

Our Facilities

The School of Jewellery at Vittoria Street is inspirational and functional. A blend of traditional historic and cutting-edge contemporary, it is light, spacious and extremely well-resourced.

An extensive refurbishment programme integrated the Victorian Gothic building of 1863 with the adjacent 1912 extension and a site further down the road. The architects’ success in doing so resulted in awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Civic Trust.

You’ll have access to industry standard equipment, studio workshops with specialist tools and a shared machine workshop with a wide range of powered equipment, a casting facility and an electroplating laboratory. The School’s main computer suite includes CAD design software and Adobe Creative Suite, and you’ll have access to a specialist library.

Our staff

Beaulagh Brooks

Course Director, Senior Lecturer

A highly experienced Educator, Academic, Manager and Designer-Maker, with a passion for Teaching & Learning focusing on the Creative Industries and Applied Arts. Beaulagh is especially interested in Studio Practice and developing students employability and Graduate enterprise skills, alongside creative research and practice. Her current...

More about Beaulagh