- Duration
2 Years
- Location
- Plumpton College
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
What You'll Learn
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.
Facilities
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.
Assessment
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
Entry Requirements
- Must be aged 16 or over
- At least 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A*–C), including English and Maths
- Ideally a GCSE in Art, Design Technology, or Graphics
- Candidates who have completed the 14+ jewellery making programme will be considered
- We also welcome applicants with alternative qualifications or relevant experience. Enthusiasm for making, curiosity, and a strong work ethic are key.
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.
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.
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.
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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