Course overview
This two-year programme at Plumpton College offers a specialist
jewellery-making pathway within the UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in
Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication. It is designed for students
who want to develop both their technical jewellery-making skills and their
creative design practice in preparation for progression into higher education,
employment, or self-employment in the creative industries.
This specialist jewellery pathway is ideal for students who want to explore
the full creative process — from research and design, to making and marketing
original jewellery pieces. You’ll develop fine jewellery bench skills alongside
broader art and design thinking, supported by expert tutors and access to a
dedicated jewellery workshop.
Modules
The programme runs over two years:
- Year 1: UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice
- Year 2: UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice
Across both years, you will explore a broad range of skills and concepts, including:
- Researching historical and contemporary jewellery design and cultural influences
- Drawing and modelling designs, including technical drawings and prototypes
- Creating finished pieces using core jewellery-making techniques:
- Sawing, soldering, filing, texturing, polishing, casting, and stone setting, etc.
- Working with precious and semi-precious metals
- Documenting your creative process in sketchbooks and digital portfolios
- Planning how to market and scale your ideas into a creative business
You’ll also benefit from individual feedback, practical demonstrations, and collaborative critiques — all designed to help you grow as a confident, independent maker.
You’ll work in a purpose-built jewellery studio, fully equipped with specialist tools and equipment, supported by experienced tutors with industry knowledge and connections.
How will I be assessed?
Each year follows the same assessment structure:
- Two portfolio-based jewellery briefs, marked pass/fail
- One Final Major Project (FMP), graded fail, pass, merit, or distinction
These projects are designed to both mimic industry briefs and foster personal creativity, technical skill, and professional practice, preparing you for progression to university, further training, or employment in the creative industries
What is it like to be a student on this course?
Level 3 jewellery students are encouraged to be creative, practical and increasingly independent as skills are developed. Moving beyond basic jewellery-making skills, learners begin developing their own ideas, designs and professional style. The course may feel demanding because jewellery requires patience, precision and attention to detail. However, it can also be very rewarding: students get to transform their ideas into carefully made, wearable pieces and develop the confidence to work more like a professional jeweller.
Industry links
Benchpeg, National Association of Jewellers, The Goldsmiths’ Company, British Academy of Jewellery, Crafts Council, Society of Jewellery Historians
Work experience
Industry placements enhance your studies and are an important part of your course. They ensure you develop the key skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to be successful in your chosen industry, resulting in you leaving college ready for the world of work. It is compulsory to undertake an element of work experience when studying a Level 1, 2, or 3 course. The number of hours you must complete will depend on your level of study.
Course Level:
- Level 1 – Minimum of 30 hours of industry placement
- Level 2 – Minimum of 75 hours of industry placement
- Level 3 – Minimum of 150 hours of industry placement (per year of your course)
- T Level – Minimum of 315 hours of industry placement
Entry requirements
4 GCSEs at Grade 4 and above to include English and Maths OR a Level 2 in a related subject plus English and Maths, at least grade 4
Progression routes
Employment, Self-employment or higher education in jewellery or creative arts.
Bursaries
Financial support could be available to you depending on your household income, eligibility criteria, and level of study. A bursary, which is money given directly by the Government, could help fund bus travel, accommodation, course equipment, college meals, or educational trips.
Course Fees
Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.
Adults aged 19+ may be entitled to a tuition fee waiver on certain courses (where the Government pays the tuition and assessment fee) if any of the following apply:
You are aged between 19 and 23 and:
- This is your first Full Level 2 or Full Level 3 qualification.
- You are undertaking English and Maths up to and including Level 2.
- You are unemployed or economically inactive and your gross annual income is below £26,800.
- Your course is part of the Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs offer (and you meet the earnings threshold)
You are aged 24+ and:
- You are studying a Level 1 or Level 2 course and are unemployed, economically inactive, or earning below £26,800 gross annually.
- You are undertaking English and Maths up to and including Level 2.
- Your course is part of the Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs offer (and you meet the earnings threshold)
All students pay a standard facility fee of £150 to use communal, non-educational facilities.
Material fees apply to Floristry, Blacksmithing and Metalwork, Agricultural Engineering, and Motor Vehicle students.
Equipment & PPE
Students on a 14-16, Level 1, 2, 3, or Foundation Learning course may be required to purchase equipment such as a uniform, PPE, or kit before starting their course. Material fees are applicable depending on the course studied.
Start dates
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