Jewellery and Metalwork – BA (Honours)

At a glance

This course equips you with the skills you need to pursue a career as a designer/maker, either in self-employment or as part of an established team. Our students join an established community of designer-makers and learners based in a series of well-equipped specialist workshops.

Key points• Learn from nationally and internationally renowned practitioners with a range of professional experience.
• Develop your skills in large and well-equipped specialist and general workshops.
• Benefit from strong links with the Sheffield jewellery and metalwork industry.
• Attend field trips to galleries, exhibitions and studios in UK and Europe.

What is jewellery and metalwork?Contemporary jewellery and metalwork embraces a wide range of creative approaches, materials and techniques. Successful creative practitioners are confident in their technical ability and understanding of materials and processes, having an open minded approach to new opportunities.

Designing and making of pieces involving key activities such as drawing, sketching, digital design (CAD/CAM), presentation skills and contextual research along with the core skills and techniques employed by jewellers and silversmiths.

Through intensive project work you learn how to generate and produce original designs for a range of jewellery, tableware and personal accessories. You can create one-off highly crafted pieces to batch or mass produced items such as cutlery.

We introduce you to fundamental processes and techniques, developing your essential skills and knowledge. Through individual and group project work you explore diverse and innovative ways of approaching the design process and producing finished pieces.

We encourage you to explore using other materials and introduce you to new and emerging technologies and processes. As the course progresses you begin to establish your own design direction and develop your skills.

In the second level, projects introduce you to commercial aspects of design, and some involve working directly with a client. We help you to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding to a professional level. You learn to communicate and realise your ideas using a variety of media and techniques.

Other projects involve you working collaboratively with students from other disciplines and working for specific audiences.

In the third level, you complete self-directed study that allows you to develop a personal area of interest. By taking increasing responsibility for the management of your work, you are preparing for life as a professional designer.

The number and content of the projects you undertake in the third level is up to you, but we help you to develop a portfolio that best supports your career aspirations. You also learn to complete thorough research and development which supports both your contextual studies and design project work.

During the course you have the opportunity to enter national design competitions, complete live projects and exhibit your work in professional shows. You can also attend field trips to galleries, exhibitions and studios in UK and Europe.

You build your skills in large and well-equipped specialist and general workshops, located in the same building as other design and engineering facilities.

The teaching team includes nationally and internationally renowned practitioners with a range of professional experience, supported by specialist technical staff and visiting lecturers.

We have strong links with the Sheffield jewellery and metalwork industry, such as the Sheffield Assay office, who offer support with hallmarking and research using their extensive research library.

Key areas of study
As well as learning about jewellery and metalwork and how this relates to other craft and design disciplines, you learn how to specialise. The teaching team have individual specialisms and these form key areas of study on the course.

You develop a wide range of skills and knowledge across the core areas of making, thinking and professional skills.

Making skills include • measuring, marking and cutting • forming • soldering and joining • stone setting, finishing • casting and moulding • machining, spinning • etching and enamelling • drawing and sketching • CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing.

Thinking skills include • gathering and selecting research material • generating and developing ideas • modelling and testing ideas • presenting ideas and supporting views in written work.

Professional skills include • planning and project management • understanding your strengths and your audience • working collaboratively within and outside your discipline • presentation skills • intellectual property and legal frameworks • ethical issues and sustainable practice • identifying career opportunities.