Jewellery and Related Products - GradDip
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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 Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award GradDip
- Start date September 2026
- Subject
- Location School of Jewellery
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.
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. 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. 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.
- Jewellery at Birmingham City University 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 Days
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 4 October 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in an art and design related subject.
We also welcome applications from individuals who may not satisfy the normal entry requirements, but have a high level of educational, industrial or professional experience.
Applying with international qualifications
See below for further information on applying as an international student.
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.
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.
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Here’s where you explain what makes this course exciting to you. Think about your motivations for studying the course and your future plans. If you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned at school or college. You should include the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from education or training and how this will help you succeed in your chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Not everything you’ve learned comes from the classroom. Life experience counts too! You might want to talk about work experience, employment, or volunteering and how they’ve helped you develop the skills needed for your chosen course or future career.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Course in Depth
Modules
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This practical workshop module is designed to develop your ability and confidence to enable explorative material and processes research. There will be a number of demonstrations on the use and application of techniques and processes core to the Jewellery and Related Products discipline.
You will be required to record your learning and practice which will then enable you to apply a range of techniques and processes independently as you progress your studies. Creative project briefs will be introduced through which you will experiment and explore the design and making process from two-dimensional design through to three-dimensional realisation. The aim is for you to be able to apply design development and project management confidently to your developing practice.
This module will run concurrently with the Semester 1 studio module and support your studio and practical learning experience. You will develop a contextual understanding of the discipline, be introduced to research methods, and gain confidence in critical reflection, evaluation and in-person presentation.
This module will include information literacy learning supported through library sessions, with staff to support you in accessing and assessing relevant information for group work and your independent research. You will be introduced to the history and breadth of the Jewellery discipline through historical and contemporary investigation. Recording reflections and critical analysis of key debates within the field of contemporary Jewellery as presented and discussed through seminars, galleries and other locations.
This module will enable you to undertake a sustained and theoretically informed practical Studio based project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you and builds on the skills previously learnt. You will propose, develop and realise a self-directed studio-based
project focused on your individual interests and will be expected to evaluate appropriate methods of working for your project work that articulates your identified field of enquiry. With tutorial support, you will plan your individual design development, record your progress, and reflect on your design decisions. The expectation is that you will be working with increasing independence and will be able to reason and evidence your design thinking as you communicate your developing personal aesthetic.
This module will run concurrently with the Semester 2 studio module and support your studio and practical learning experience. You will develop a deeper understanding of the industry, gain competency in critical reflection, evaluation and digital presentation.
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop communication skills with which you may articulate your studio work to a high standard, it will enable you to identify potential career opportunities which span the breadth of discipline. Through this module you will explore transferable skills which will enhance your employability and entrepreneurial skills sets.
Download course specification
Download nowA 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 our 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.
Discover the Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles community, where our students talk about their journeys here at BCU which has inspired creativity and innovation.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
Jewellery graduates from Birmingham City University 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.
Facilities & Staff
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