HND Jewellery and Silversmithing Foundation degree at Birmingham City University
HND Jewellery and Silversmithing at BCU. You'll develop both conceptual skills and the technical ability to manufacture pieces, bridging the gap between imaginative vision and tangible, wearable work.
About this course
A combination of creative design skills and practical workshops on our Jewellery and Silversmithing HND will help you become a successful designer and manufacturer. From the provider’s course page.
HND Jewellery and Silversmithing is a Foundation degree (HND) at BCU, based in City Centre Campus. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For Design, and creative and performing arts graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 45% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £21,500. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Stronger evidence Published sample: 470. Cohort 2021-22. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year one 7 modules
- Fundamental Hand SkillsCore40 credits
Module details
In this module you will learn the fundamental hand-skills required for a career in the jewellery industry and you will be based within a real jewellery workshop environment with authentic jewellers' benches. Throughout the hands-on learning process you will cover the key elements of traditional jewellery techniques, which will give you a basic skill-set to develop as you progress through the course.
- Fundamental Silversmithing SkillsCore20 credits
Module details
In this module, you will learn fundamental hand and machine skills used for the production of larger objects, commonly referred to as silversmithing and small-works. You will experience using specific machinery and equipment located in the basement machine shop, in addition to the tools available in the HND studios and process rooms.
- Fundamental Production ProcessesCore40 credits
Module details
In this module you will be introduced to the techniques used for batch and quantity production in metal.
- Fine JewelleryOptional20 credits
Module details
In this module you will be introduced to fundamental hand-making skills through the production of samples, test pieces and a finished piece of jewellery. You will develop an understanding of traditional jewellery techniques and finishes that represent the term fine jewellery.
- Introduction to GemmologyOptional20 credits
Module details
The science of gemmology is inextricably linked with jewellery, and an understanding of gemstones is essential for anyone involved in the manufacturing, repairing, buying or selling of fine jewellery. Today's professional gemmologists face constant challenges as advances in synthetic gemstones and gemstone treatments become ever more sophisticated.
- CAD for Bespoke ProductionOptional20 credits
Module details
In this module, you will learn how to use Computer Aided Design (CAD) as a tool for supporting and supplementing traditional bench skills. This module will introduce you to the very basics, quickly building up your skills and allowing you to design and develop sophisticated 3D digital models which are suitable for production through the myriad of new technologies becoming increasing available in Computer Aided Manufacture.
- Silversmithing and ObjectsOptional20 credits
Module details
In this module you will be introduced to the fundamental techniques and processes used in metalwork for creating non-wearable objects through demonstrations and practice.
Year two 4 modules
- Advanced Production ProcessesCore40 credits
Module details
In this module you will develop a more in-depth understanding of manufacturing techniques, which will include laser technology and advanced CAD. There will be a greater focus on the commercial applications of lost-wax casting as a means of multiple batch production. You will also learn about using the laser-welder as a means for the rapid repair and modification of castings, as well as for other industry process requirements. Laser technology opens up unique creative possibilities within the des
- Professional ContextCore20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to provide you with an overview of the industry context, in order to prepare you for employment post-graduation. It will ensure that you have an awareness of the complex nature of the jewellery industry and you will be encouraged to begin to develop networks of contacts in order to raise your profile as you identify a career path and launch your career as an industry graduate. It will also assist you to develop the transferable skills that will ensure you can functi
- Specialist PracticeCore40 credits
Module details
This module gives you the opportunity to develop your own unique product range where you will identify your chosen direction and target market within the specialist field. This is a culmination of your learning experience by bringing together all of the knowledge and expertise you have gained on the course. Your ambitions will be clarified through a personal written project brief with the purpose of creating a collection suitable for progression to BA (Hons) Design for Industry (top-up) cour
- Live ProjectCore20 credits
Module details
This module provides an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills to an external, professional brief. The brief will be set by an external client/ agency, in consultation with your supervisor, and it could be a 'real life' problem to be solved, or a simulation. It is an opportunity for you to engage in a professional manner with an aspect of your subject area, which contributes to the development of employability skills within the supportive infrastructure of the University. Where a
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course combines creative design skills with practical workshops to develop you as a designer and manufacturer. You'll usually start with foundations in visual language, materials and making processes, learning colour, composition and form across traditional and digital media, supported by art and design history. Year 2 progresses to sustained studio projects where you develop a personal direction, whilst exploring digital tools and taking on live briefs from real clients. Throughout, you'll refine practical craft techniques specific to jewellery and silversmithing. You'll typically choose specialisations such as fine art or graphic design, moving towards a final major project that culminates in a degree show where your work is publicly exhibited. Professional practice and portfolio building prepares you for industry or self-employment.
Who it's for
You're drawn to metalwork and jewellery, both the aesthetic and the physical craft. You think visually and enjoy problem-solving through making rather than purely abstract learning. You're comfortable balancing artistic ambition with commercial reality: interested in becoming a designer and manufacturer, not just an artist. The practical workshop environment will suit you: you'll spend significant time at a bench, learning techniques and developing hand skills alongside design conceptualisation. You value learning from practitioners who understand the jewellery industry firsthand. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications, though backgrounds vary within art and design.
Careers & job market
Across Art and Design nationally, 87% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing their course. Among those working, 55% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National data shows graduates starting in the field earn between £22,000 and £27,000 at the 15-month point; after five years, earnings range from £20,825 to £29,400. These figures reflect the broader graduate population, not guarantees specific to this course. The jewellery and silversmithing sector values both design capability and practical manufacturing skill, assets this qualification directly builds.
University & format
This HND (foundation degree) is studied full-time over 2 years at Birmingham City University, a public university based in the City Centre Campus. Instruction is in English. The qualification is recognised by a UK degree-awarding body, so your degree is nationally recognised. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality from the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 75% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| a Baccalaureate | 5% |
| an Access course | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at BCU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £21,500 | £17,000 – £26,000 | 470 |
| 3 years after | £19,500 | £15,500 – £22,500 | 15 |
| 5 years after | £24,500 | £19,500 – £27,000 | 15 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 470. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally
National figures for Art & Design graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 470. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Art & Design courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,698 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Skilled trades occupationsSOC 2020 5 · 40% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,241
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionalsSOC 2020 31 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £34,828
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 30; response rate: 70%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Art & Design graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Design studios & agencies
- In-house brand teams
- Games & media companies
- Freelance & self-employed
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Art & Design graduates.
Fine Art TechnicianFirst Choice StaffPharmacy Technician – Brand New State-of-the-Art HospitalCompass AssociatesArtificial Intelligence Engineering ManagerMBN SolutionsArtificial Intelligence EngineerExperis UKDelivery Driver (Part Time 24 hours) - AndoverOcado LogisticsCompliance Business PartnerNashrock Insurance RecruitmentIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £21,500. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.3 out of 10: NSS 94.9% · in work or study 90% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Birmingham City University
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around City Centre Campus
4,178 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Art & Design right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to BCU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by BCU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check BCU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with BCU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at BCU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
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