BA (Hons) Jewellery Design (University Course)
- Jobs Well Campus – Carmarthen School of Art
The notion of body adornment has existed and evolved over millennia, ranging from the functional to the decorative; communications of personal narrative and social statement contained within wearable, evocative objects. Cultural developments and innovative applications of methods to materials have always been at the heart of jewellery making and students on this jewellery design course will be challenged and encouraged to apply innovative and creative thinking to a range of materials, using both traditional making processes and new advancements in technology.
This is the only stand alone jewellery degree course in Wales and its structure focuses on practical, hands-on workshop sessions, delivered to small groups in well equipped workshop spaces. Tutor contact time is second to none and students will be taught by experienced and dedicated individuals, each with their own creative practice, offering different perspectives. During the first year of study, students will have the chance to explore practical skills ranging from metal forming, fabrication, laser cutting, enamelling and casting. Alongside this, students will undertake drawing workshops which are considered crucial to the development of design and observational skills, they will also develop a deep and informed theoretical knowledge of the field of jewellery.
During the second year of study, our team of highly motivated staff are focused on facilitating students to identify their individual creative voice through a combination of structured workshops and independent study, honing both practical and critical skills which are further strengthened through group crits with peers and one to one tutorials. By the third year students are able to specialize in select skill sets, refining their unique creative identities in a supportive, inclusive environment alongside developing transferable skills for employability within the creative industry, individual studio practice or creating one off pieces for exhibition. Students will also have the opportunity to exhibit their final year work at New Designers in London.
Course details
- Full time
- Part time
What you will learn
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Programme Features
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Programme content
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Progression and employment
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Method of assessment
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Entry requirements
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Graduate Attributes Framework
By choosing to study with us, you are not just a number, we are a small, friendly purpose built art school that offers a wide range of contemporary, cutting edge and traditional facilities. The staff, who you will work closely with, all have their own professional creative practice, consistent with new developments within the field. Each year you will be given your own individual workspace and access not only to bespoke jewellery workshops, but also to facilities within other areas of the college to promote an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to making. These include dedicated spaces for jewellery fabrication, metal forming, etching, enamelling with state-of-the-art decal printing technology, mould making with in house metal casting facilities, laser cutting and the latest high spec 3D printing technology.
The course of study supports the development of your individual studio practice with an emphasis on the craftsmanship and skill of jewellery design. Lectures and contextual dialogue enable you to position yourself and your practice in terms of art history and contemporary critical thought, so that you will be equipped with the tools to research and map your own interests, ensuring informed creativity. Dialogue is encouraged between departments, offering opportunities for collaboration and innovative working.
Students participate in trips, public exhibitions, events and specialist competitions preparing them professionally for future career aspirations. All these skills are transferable across a range of professional contexts where taught critical and creative thinking, traditionally associated with arts practice, is now becoming increasingly sought after in the world of commerce and business.
Year 1 – A skills based year delivered through a series of tutor led workshops and independent practice.
Year 2 – A developmental year devised to allow you to apply the skills gained in year one to identify personal strengths and areas of interest within a range of industry relevant contexts.
Year 3 – A personal negotiated brief which allows you to consolidate your practice and build a portfolio in preparation for future progression and personal ambitions, culminating in an opportunity to showcase your work in a final degree show.
Independent jeweller, artist or designer, accessory designer, applied artist, educator, exhibition curator, retail buyer, arts administrator, community art worker, art therapist, researcher, post graduate study (MA, PhD), innovator etc.
Assessment is on-going through workshop plenary sessions, critiques, formative and summative assessment with aural and written feedback.
Tariff score points accepted: A minimum of 96 points or equivalent portfolio ability for mature applicants.
Selection procedures
All applicants need to apply online through UCAS, our UCAS Institution code is C22 course code WW27. Offers will be made based on the UCAS application, predicted grades (if applicable), UCAS reference and one-to-one interview. Programme Directors interview every applicant and discuss your portfolio of artwork and ambitions with you. This is a vital part of our selection process to ensure that the course is right for you and you are right for the course. Due to developing a relationship with you from the start our student withdrawal rates are minimal. We continuously strive to turn students into successful professional practitioners.
Mature applicants with relevant prior experience are welcome and are considered on an individual basis. International students can be interviewed by video conferencing.
There is no additional Studio fee. However, it is likely that you will incur additional costs for specialist materials, printing and for course related excursions.
This Framework aims to develop your professional skills and competence alongside your academic subject knowledge. You’ll study up to 40 credits per level throughout your programme from the Graduate Attributes Framework. The Graduate Attribute modules are designed to enable you to develop, and evidence, a range of career-focused skills related to your subject area. These skills include digital competency, research and project management, as well as such personal competencies as communication, creativity, self-reflection, resilience and problem-solving.
Find out more about the Graduate Attributes Framework