Blacksmithing & Metalwork

Duration: 2 years, full-time (Extended Diploma route), 1 year, full-time (Subsidiary Diploma route)
Attendance: 3 days per week in college, 1 day in industry
Location: Plumpton College

Course Overview

This course is designed for those wishing to extend their basic knowledge in blacksmithing and metalwork. Prospective students are likely to have completed the Level 2 Diploma in Blacksmithing & Metalwork demonstrating a good level of practical skill or have relevant work experience.

Careers Hub

We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.

Qualifications gained

Subsidiary Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalwork (for those wishing to complete 1 year only)
Extended Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalwork (2-year programme)
Relevant additional qualifications

Work Experience:

Study programmes include a minimum of compulsory work experience hours achieved through one day a week or block placements. The amount of hours required is dependent on the study programme.

Careers Hub

We offer impartial careers guidance to all of our students, email careers@plumpton.ac.uk to explore your next step or to book an appointment – we’re here to help.

Industry Work Placement:

All students aged 16-18 on our Level 3 programme will now have to take part in an exciting and compulsory industry placement programme alongside completion of their vocational course. The length of this varies between course level and year. The programme will give you the chance to gain valuable skills in a real working environment whilst being paired with your ideal employer.

Our mission is to pair students with their ideal employer and to support them continuously during the placement.

There is flexibility on how students complete the placement; it can be during non-college weekdays, weekends, in blocks or over the holiday period. You will receive all of the necessary information during your interview, and if you have any queries in the meantime please contact workexperience@plumpton.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

In order to be considered you must:

Need to have achieved 4 or more GCSEs grades 9-4 (previous grade structure A-C) including English and Maths
Successfully completed a Level 2 qualification and GCSE maths or English at grade C/4 or above

Mature students who do not possess any of the above qualifications will be considered.

What is it like to be a student on this course?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 2 years at Plumpton college, gaining an extraordinary amount of knowledge, skills and friends. The staff are enthusiastic, friendly and inspiring, if I ever had a problem I felt more than comfortable to go and ask for help from them.

Doug McCoy - Level 3 Extended Certificate Graduate 2019

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.

Bursaries & financial support

Course Fees

Students aged 16-18 on 31st August in the year of starting the course do not pay tuition fees.

Students aged 19-23 studying their Level 1, 2 or first Level 3 may be entitled to tuition fee waiver depending on criteria eligibility.

Students aged 24+ who are studying a second Level 3 course or aged 24+ who are studying their first Level 3 course will have to pay tuition fees, depending on the course.

Students on low income who can prove they earn less than £25,000 (from September 2024); are unemployed; or receive state benefits could be entitled to a tuition fee waiver.

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, which contribute to quality resources and equipment for their studies.

Course fees and funding

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 depending on the course studied.

Equipment & PPE

Work Experience

Work experience enhances your studies and is an important part of your course. It ensures you leave 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.

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