Diploma in Furniture Design and Making Level 3

If you are interested in advanced furniture making or fine woodworking, this enjoyable and stimulating course has a strong emphasis on the practical woodworking skills. The course will equip you with essential skills you need for employment in the furniture or fine woodworking industry, this may also lead onto setting up your own business.

This course will introduce students to furniture making and bespoke joinery at an advanced level providing them with space to develop their creativity through designing and producing individual pieces. The focus is on the development of practical skills and a hands on approach, including manufacturing techniques, tools and equipment.

The focus of the course is on the development of practical skills including manufacturing, upholstery, wood machining, materials and finishing. Workshops are well equipped, and the course is delivered by experienced industry trained staff who teach through a series of projects to develop practical skills throughout the course. However, individual design and creativity is also encouraged.

Over the year you will be given set practical tasks to teach you making processes and help you to gain confidence with your practical skills. You will increasingly be encouraged to develop your own ideas in your work and design pieces that reflect your own sense of style. In the design studio you will learn background theory to working in wood and constructing furniture, alongside drawing and design skills. At the end of the year you should have completed well finished pieces of furniture along with numerous other practical tasks and exercises.

You will be encouraged to produce your furniture projects to a very high standard which will be at least commercially saleable. This standard will be achieved with the help and encouragement of your Lecturers.

The college has an excellent reputation in the Eastern region for its furniture courses, and has gained both regional and national recognition, from student success in competitions including the City and Guilds Medal of Excellence Awards. Work produced is displayed at the end of year exhibition and always receives excellent press coverage due to the exquisite quality of work.

Students are encouraged to work towards the highest possible standards in fine Craftsmanship and Design. Our practical based woodwork course takes place in fully equipped workshops and studios.
All the staff involved on the programme have an excellent background within the furniture industry. Both full time and visiting lecturers have successfully worked in the field of high quality one off furniture, making to commission.

Find out more about our furniture courses

End Qualification:

City and Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Furniture Design and Making

Entry Requirements:

Interview required

5 GCSE's grade C or above, with a minimum grade C or above in either English or Maths. Alternatively, successful completion of a Level 2 diploma in Furniture or Carpentry and Joinery at merit grade is also acceptable. Vocational qualifications in relevant subjects will be accepted as GCSE equivalent. Applications from mature students without formal qualifications are welcomed provided they demonstrate sufficient interest in the subject. You will be required to successfully pass an interview with a demonstration of enthusiasm and commitment towards the subject area and bring examples of craft, design technology and or furniture work to your interview. Individual cases will be considered on their own merits.

Assessment:

The work on the course is project/assignment based and is carried out on a continuous basis. Some units will be subject to external assessment.

Progression from this course:

Successful completion will enable you to progress to seek employment in areas such as bespoke joiner, cabinet maker, restorer, craftsperson, upholsterer or french polisher.

Locations:

Isle Campus - PE13 2JE

Duration:

1 Year

Start times:

September 2013

How to Apply:

Please apply online using the general college application form

Course Costs:

All students on full-time courses will need to pay a materials / resources fee. Details will be provided before enrolment. If you are under 19 on 31st August in the year you begin your programme, you will not have to pay tuition or registration fees for your course. For students aged 19 or over, there will be a tuition fee (depends on the course) for each year of the course as well as a registration fee (which includes exam fees). However, many students will be eligible for reduced fees and / or financial support towards the costs. Click here for detailed information. Please contact Student Services if you have further queries.

Students will be required to purchase a recommended starter art kit costing approximately £100. Visits are arranged to various exhibitions, as part of the course. Students will have to cover the cost of all the materials required for the course projects which will depend on the type of project that the student makes, this on average will be between £150 - £300.

Additional Information:

If you are aged 19 or over, you may be eligible to apply to the college's learner support fund for financial support with the costs associated with your studies. For more details, please click here or contact student services on 01553 815271 (King's Lynn campus) or 01945 582561 (Isle campus) or 01223 860701 (Cambridge campus)