Jewellery and Silversmithing - MA

Program Overview

The Jewellery and Silversmithing MA program challenges students to develop their design language, experiment with materials, and engage with social and environmental contexts. Through live projects, industry collaborations, and expert instruction, graduates are equipped to launch successful careers as designers, makers, and thought leaders in the field.

Program Outline

Jewellery and Silversmithing - MA

Degree Overview:

The program challenges you to:

• Hone your design and research skills.
• Develop a distinct design language with authentic meaning and context.
• Experiment and think radically at a postgraduate level.
• Drive your ambitions with live projects.
• Strengthen and deepen your practice through social and collaborative interactions.
• Understand and engage with present and future contexts in your practice.
• Launch your career following your ambition as a designer.
• Join the forefront of sustainable design practices.

Outline:

This course explores the following key areas:

• Mastery of Material: Access workshops equipped with a diverse range of tools, enabling you to work with your preferred material (metal, wood, ceramics, textiles, etc.).
• Developing your creative voice: This program guides you in honing and articulating your unique design identity and effectively communicating it to clients.
• Live project experiences: Work on real-life projects with diverse clients, from established studios to social ventures, gaining invaluable professional expertise and building your portfolio.
• Success in business: This course focuses on equipping you with the knowledge and skills required for navigating the commercial landscape of design while prioritizing positive social impact.
• Adaptability and resilience: Graduation equips you as a versatile and resilient jeweller, silversmith, or designer in related areas, prepared to carve your path in the industry.
Your skill set will translate to broader design fields.

Assessment:

This postgraduate course evaluates your progress through:

• Portfolios encompassing written, research, visual, and physical project work, directly reflecting the practical demands within the field.
• An independent major project where you'll frame your area of study, formulate a theoretical argument, and produce original design work.
This project is showcased at your MA graduation exhibition.
• Additional opportunities to promote and exhibit your work may be offered.

Teaching:

• Taught by an esteemed faculty with robust industry connections, alongside acclaimed visiting lecturers at the forefront of their practice, you'll grow your professional expertise in the field.
• Feedback from leading industry practitioners helps refine and shape your project ideas.
• Studio practice is complemented by formal instruction in supporting theory and research methodologies, enriching and adding depth to your work.
• You'll benefit from a supportive learning environment that fosters intellectual and creative skills, embracing interdisciplinary approaches.

Careers:

Graduates from this program have pursued careers as:

• Jewellery designers
• Silversmiths
• Designer-makers
• Educators
• Researchers
• Journalists
• Project managers
• Strategists
• Studio managers
Students and alumni have secured positions with renowned names such as Shaun Leane, Azza Fahmy, Alexander McQueen, Daphne Guiness, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Selfridges. They've also completed commissions for celebrities like Amanda Colman, Uma Thurman, Kim Kardashian, and Rita Ora.

Impact and Accolades:

• Featured as part of permanent collections in notable institutions:
• V&A Museums
• Irish State Collection
• Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths Collection
• National Museum of Scotland

Other:

• Optional Field Trips: You may have the opportunity to participate in optional field trips, incurring additional costs.
• The curriculum is currently under review for the 2023-24 entry.
Updates and notifications will be provided to applicants and current students.
• As part of the university's development plan, the teaching location is subject to change.
Notice will be given in advance.

Additional Notes:

• This program is intended to begin in September.