Jewellery and Related Products - GradDip

Program Overview

This one-year Graduate Diploma in Jewellery and Related Products emphasizes studio practice, developing skills for contemporary jewellery design. It provides a foundation for progression to MA studies and empowers students with professional and academic knowledge for industry success. Graduates gain confidence in independent creative practice, mastering design development and project management.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This unique one-year Graduate Diploma is a two-semester practical course in jewellery and related products aimed at pre-Masters level study. The course gives you the opportunity to develop your portfolio, specifically in the field of contemporary jewellery, to better enable progression onto MA or other higher-level study, and Studio practice. The Graduate Diploma will encourage creative jewellery and related product studio practice that develops confidence in self-directed study and independent creative practice skills. You’ll acquire the professional and academic development needed for progression onto MA study and into industry.

Outline:

Modules:

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):

• Contemporary Studio Practice 40 credits
This practical workshop module is designed to develop your ability and confidence to enable explorative material and processes research. There will be a number of demonstrations on the use and application of techniques and processes core to the Jewellery and Related Products discipline. You will be required to record your learning and practice which will then enable you to apply a range of techniques and processes independently as you progress your studies. Creative project briefs will be introduced through which you will experiment and explore the design and making process from two-dimensional design through to three-dimensional realisation.
• Contextual and Professional Practice 40 credits
This Module is yearlong and split over the two semesters. In the first semester of this module you will develop your contextual understanding, you will be introduced to research methods and gain confidence in critical reflection, evaluation and presentation. The second half of the module focuses on professional practice which will enable you to develop communication skills with which you may articulate your work to a high standard of professionalism, it will assist you to identify potential career opportunities which span the breadth of the discipline through transferable skills which will enhance your progression and employability.
• Studio Project 40 credits
This module will enable you to undertake a sustained and theoretically informed practical Studio based project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you and builds on the skills previously learnt. You will propose, develop and realise a self-directed studio-based project focused on your individual interests and will be expected to evaluate appropriate methods of working for your project work that articulates your identified field of enquiry. With tutorial support, you will plan your individual design development, record your progress, and reflect on your design decisions. The expectation is that you will be working with increasing independence and will be able to reason and evidence your design thinking as you communicate your developing personal aesthetic.

Teaching:

A variety of different learning and teaching approaches are employed on your course to support your continuous learning throughout your time here. These approaches include the following activities:

• workshop based demonstrations and practice
• lectures
• seminars
• group critiques
• team work
• presentations
• group and individual tutorials
• online learning via Moodle
• industry and gallery visits
• self-directed study and one day projects
The course generally continues the undergraduate and School’s philosophy of teaching through a practical “hands-on” learning experience called “Experiential Learning” This means that you will be learning by “doing”, and designing via making. Experimenting with materials, process and techniques is encouraged. This enables you to actively engage with and solve three-dimensional problems, whilst developing your designing, making and craft skills.

Careers:

Graduates from the School of Jewellery are highly employable and are familiar with the latest industry skills and techniques. You’ll have the knowledge and skill to work with the materials, processes and techniques to create innovative 2D and 3D design. The course will have enabled you to demonstrate independent thinking and the ability to prepare and realise a successful self-initiated project. You’ll have a collection of work, completed to a high standard of professionalism, which shows your creative identity. You’ll also develop a range of transferable skills, such as how to communicate ideas and solve problems, as well as developing negotiation and planning skills. This gives you the experience of showcasing a professional body of work as well as being a part of the end of year celebrations.

• Past graduates from this course have been shortlisted as part of the Global Design Awards in ArtsThread, a design graduate platform that provides exposure to an international audience and a launchpad for creative practice graduates.
• The School of Jewellery has strong and well-established links with national jewellery industry, including companies such as Georg Jensen, Denmark.
• Athena SWAN is a quality charter mark framework and accreditation scheme established and managed by the UK Equality Challenge Unit in 2005 that recognises and celebrates good practices in higher education and research institutions towards the advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success.

• UK students: £9,710 in 2024/25
• International students: £17,710 in 2024/25