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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Jewellery Design

Detail of a gold linked chain
Veronika Fabian
College
Central Saint Martins
UCAS code
W206
Start date
September 2023
Course length
Three years full-time or four years full-time with Diploma in Professional Studies

BA Jewellery Design is for students who want to define the future of contemporary jewellery.

Applications closed 2023/24 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course.

Visit the Courses with places available page for a full list of UAL courses that are open for application.

This course offers a stimulating learning environment in which innovation, originality and excellence are encouraged and developed. It is part of the Jewellery, Textiles and Materials programme.

Why choose this course at Central Saint Martins

  • Live projects: Most stages on the course include a live project, in which you will work with a company or organisation. Recent live projects include collaborations with Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Swarovski and The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers.
  • Enterprise projects: You will have the opportunity to take part in enterprise projects such as pop-up shops, where you will gain experience of organising events to showcase your work.
  • Traditional and modern studies: The course promotes a very board interpretation of jewellery design. It is taught by a range of tutors from diverse specialisms in jewellery and design. We value traditional making techniques as well as modern technological approaches.
  • Visiting practitioners: Throughout the course there will be lectures given by a range of visiting professionals such as designers, artists, curators, writers and activists.

Open days

The next open day for this course will take place on Wednesday 11 January 2023. Book now.

Virtual tours:

You might be interested in checking out the College’s facilities and technical spaces through our virtual tours.

Scholarships, bursaries and awards

Swarovski Conscious Design Hub

Learn more about the course's partnership with Swarovski, and student approaches to sustainability and conscious design.

Course overview

BA Jewellery Design promotes a wide range of approaches and contexts for professional jewellers. The course will introduce you to technical, design, critical and communication skills. It promotes active learning through projects which are devised to help you initiate, develop and realise ideas. The course focuses on visual awareness, research, observation and experimentation. Drawing is considered an important tool for investigating and communicating your ideas. Computer-aided design is also integrated into the curriculum, allowing you to incorporate these techniques into your work.

BA Jewellery Design aims to help you find and develop your individual identity. It will also encourage you to discover the ways of working after graduation that suit you most. The course promotes an awareness of cultural issues relevant to jewellery. We also encourage an investigation of the ethical implications of jewellery manufacture. We will support you to explore social and environmental issues and maintain a responsible practice.

The course is strengthened by its excellent, external links with institutions and industry. These provide opportunities for collaborative projects with sponsoring companies and organisations. This will allow you to develop the ability to work with others as part of a team, as well as independently. It will also give you greater awareness of the professional skills needed to further your career. These projects are also beneficial for the professional contacts they can offer.

An important element of the course is cultural studies. This offers a range of ideas and skills to critically analyse objects, images, spaces and practices in art, design and popular culture. Additionally, talks from visiting speakers will educate you in a range of approaches to jewellery design. Speakers include high-profile designers and practitioners, giving you the opportunity for direct contact with industry professionals.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

BA Jewellery Design progressively builds your knowledge and skills in designing and making jewellery. Alongside this, it develops your understanding of professional approaches and contexts. The creation of original jewellery relies on imaginative and observational skills. On the course, you will develop these through a number of projects, looking at a range of different starting points and references.  

You will explore and discuss the quality of materials during Stage 1. You will look at metals, plastics and other materials you may use as a jeweller. You will be expected to explore the qualities and reasons why they are appropriate for use in making jewellery. You will learn about the materials' characteristics as well as the processes used to manipulate and finish them. Throughout the course you will be asked to consider the social, environmental and economic implications of jewellery and its materials and processes.  

Stage 1 

Unit 1: Introduction to Study in Higher Education 
Unit 2: Introducing Jewellery Skills 
Unit 3: Developing Jewellery Skills 
Unit 4: Cultural Histories and Theories (Jewellery)
 

In Stage 1, you will learn technical processes through talks, demonstrations and processes. Projects are largely concerned with handmaking. Unit 2 covers basic workshop practice, fundamental design and making skills and creative thinking. In Unit 3 you will develop your design work. You will undertake project briefs, which require you to design for criteria such as a specific fashion or cultural context. Unit 4 offers a range of concepts to critically analyse objects, images, spaces and practices in art, design, media and popular culture.  

Stage 2

Unit 5: Research Methods and Approaches (Jewellery) 
Unit 6: Different Approaches  
Unit 7: Different Contexts 
Unit 8: Exploration and Focus 

In Stage 2, you will consider different approaches to jewellery design. You will develop your knowledge and skills. You will learn about batch production processes, computer-aided design and manufacture and build a range of making skills. You will be encouraged to develop an individual identity and a personal perspective in your designs. You will also focus on professional criteria, studying a range of possible contexts for jewellery designers to operate in. These include designing for companies, designing and prototyping for production. You will begin to consider possible future careers. Where possible, there will also be opportunity to present your work to an external audience.  

Stage 3

Unit 9: Pilot Collection 
Unit 10: Dissertation 
Unit 11: Collection 

The work in Stage 3 is mostly self-directed. You will take time to consider the direction and approach you want to pursue. You will work on a significant body of work. Materials, forms and ideas will be tested and resolved to form a pilot collection. This collection will form the basis for the realisation of a wider collection in Unit 11. This will give you the chance to manage work in professional manner, demonstrating both personal and professional development.  

In Unit 10, you will demonstrate your research and critical skills, testing your ability to sustain a focused study of your chosen subject. Completion of a dissertation involves systematic analysis of a chosen aspect of visual, spatial, material, textual culture or practice. In some cases, students may wish to place greater emphasis on the dissertation. There is a route in place to accommodate this which you must make an application for. 

Diploma in Professional Studies 

Between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the course there is an option for you to work with industry for the duration of an academic year (across three terms/two blocks) and complete a Diploma in Professional Studies. Whilst the Diploma is an optional aspect of the course, it is designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course, if you do take up this option. The Diploma results in a standalone qualification (rated at 120 credits), which involves researching, undertaking and reflecting on a 100 day/20-week (minimum) placement related to your professional interests and aspirations. The Diploma provides a valuable opportunity to make professional contacts and to develop your personal employability skills.

Mode of study 

BA Jewellery Design runs for 90 weeks in full-time mode. It is divided into three stages over three academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks.   

You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study. 

Credit and award requirements

The course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each stage (level).  

On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA Hons degree).  

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the stages for a BA are: Stage 1 (Level 4), Stage 2 (Level 5) and Stage 3 (Level 6). In order to progress to the next stage, all units of the preceding stage must normally be passed: 120 credits must be achieved in each stage. The classification of the award will be derived from the marks of units in Stages 2 and 3 or only Stage 3, using a dual algorithm.  

If you are unable to continue on the course, a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of Level 4 (or 120 credits), or a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) following the successful completion of Level 5 (or 240 credits).  

Learning and teaching methods

The learning and teaching methods devised for this course include:

  • Project work including briefings and meetings
  • Studio practice 
  • Lectures 
  • Technical demonstrations 
  • Study visits 
  • Individual and group tutorials 
  • Seminars 
  • Group or peer critiques 
  • Peer learning 
  • Student presentations 
  • Interdisciplinary group and teamwork 
  • Independent study 
  • Self-evaluation 
  • Assessment feedback. 

These teaching and learning methods will be a combination of in person and online activities.

Former Course Leader Caroline Broadhead talks about the Jewellery and Textiles Programme

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

  • My World is Your Oyster
    My World is Your Oyster, Tabitha Charlton, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Perfectly Natural
    Perfectly Natural, Maggie Heya Wang, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Cultured Rice
    Cultured Rice, Kathy Chan, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • A Crack in Everything
    A Crack in Everything, Dixin Zheng, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Mockarchy
    Mockarchy, Grace Miell, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Motherly Love
    Motherly Love, Seongmin Kim, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Bamboozled
    Bamboozled, Charlotte Ooi, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Graduate Showcase: BARBARA YIXUAN WEI
    BARBARA YIXUAN WEI, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Black Proletariat
    Black Proletariat, Dominik Cunningham, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL
  • Wardrobe Gems
    Wardrobe Gems, Bella Si Hyun Lee, 2022 BA (Hons) Jewellery Design, Central Saint Martins, UAL

Course publications

BA Jewellery Design stories

  • MullenLowe NOVA Awards 2023: the nominees
    Credit: Elmira Ismukhamedova

    MullenLowe NOVA Awards 2023: the nominees

    Announcing the nominations for this year's MullenLowe NOVA Awards for Fresh Creative Talent, as part of CSM Shows 2023. This year, 52 nominated students present projects across art, design, fashion, architecture, materials and performance.

  • Human Resources: Productivity
    Arina Shokouhi

    Human Resources: Productivity

    What is the meaning and value of work? Currently on show in the Lethaby Gallery, Human Resources is our London Design Festival exhibition bringing together work by 2022 graduates from across disciplines.

  • Class of 2022: Futures at Work
    Jingyi Yu, MA Performance Design and Practice

    Class of 2022: Futures at Work

    On Central Saint Martins: URL you'll find Futures at Work, a collection of graduating work that presents reflections and propositions for work.

  • Class of 2022: Reconstruct Dialogue
    Connie Virdie, BA Fine Art

    Class of 2022: Reconstruct Dialogue

    On Central Saint Martins: URL you'll find a collection of projects that look at participation and interaction. Here, we pause on handful of that work, from audience activated installation that samples the experience of racial abuse to a

Facilities

Stage 1 Leader: Katharina Dettar

Associate Lecturer: Naomi Filmer
Associate Lecturer: Katy Hackney
Associate Lecturer: Marlene McKibbin

Senior Technician: Campbell Muir

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

120 UCAS tariff points which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full Level 3 qualifications:

  • Three A Levels at grades ABC (at least one subject must include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology)
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4) and one A Level at grade C or above
  • Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology)
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma equivalent to 120 UCAS tariff points (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology)
  • Equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma (26 points)

And three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*–C).

Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio. A very high proportion of successful applicants complete a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.

AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference

Or a combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit but cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English language requirements

IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements webpage).

Selection criteria

We select applicants according to their potential and current ability to:

Work imaginatively and creatively in 2D and 3D visual media:

  • Engage with experimentation and invention
  • Show imagination and ambition in your work
  • Demonstrate a range of skills and technical abilities
  • Through your portfolio, demonstrate a range of approaches to drawing, design development and material manipulation
  • Originate ideas from personal experience or visual research and show progression through logical stages to finished design solutions
  • Evidence handling a material or medium with sensitivity to its qualities
  • Demonstrate an awareness of planning and time management skills.

Provide evidence of intellectual enquiry within your work:

  • Demonstrate relevant research
  • Evidence your ability to critically reflect and evaluate your work.

Demonstrate cultural awareness and/or the contextual framework of your work:

  • Evidence an interest in contemporary art and design
  • Identify social and/or cultural influences on your work.

Articulate and communicate intentions clearly:

  • Present your work appropriately and effectively to discuss your work and ideas clearly and insightfully.

Demonstrate commitment and motivation in relation to the subject and the course:

  • Articulate your knowledge of the subject of jewellery design and your reasons of why you have chosen to apply to this course.

What we are looking for

This course is for individuals whose ambition is to engage in defining the direction of contemporary jewellery. We are looking for people who have a strong interest in the subject of jewellery, who have the capacity to learn and to develop a range of skills, and who can take advantage of the opportunities we offer.

Apply now

Applications closed 2023/24 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

You should apply through UCAS and you will need the following information:

University code:          U65

UCAS Code:                 W206

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1

Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).  Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Deferred entry

Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18.00 (UK Time) on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration.  However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Applications closed 2023/24 

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

There are two ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course at Central Saint Martins:

You can only apply to the same course once per year.

When applying via UCAS you will need the following information:

University code:          U65

UCAS Code:                 W206

Transfers

If you are currently studying somewhere else on a course in an equivalent subject area and would like to transfer to this course, you can transfer to:

Year 2, if you’ve completed 120 credits in Year 1

Year 3, if you’ve completely 240 credits in Years 1 and 2

Apply via UCAS and choose Year 2 or 3 for your POE (Point of Entry).  Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and Year 1/Year 2 unit transcripts.

Please be ready to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Visas

Read our visit our immigration and visa advice page to find out whether you need a visa to study.

Deferred entry

Central Saint Martins does not accept applications for deferred entry. You should therefore apply in the year you wish to study.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18.00 (UK Time) on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration.  However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL.  We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal.  We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents / portfolio / book an interview, through the portal.  You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

After you apply

What happens next

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course.  If you do, you will be invited to submit a digital portfolio through UAL’s online portfolio review system.

Digital portfolio

Your portfolio should consist of no more than 25 pages and should consist of recent artwork and should reflect your creative strengths. It may include photographs of your work in any medium.  The quality of the work is more important than the quantity.  Applicants are selected for interview based on:

  • Research originated from personal observation and experience
  • Imaginative progression of research towards objects
  • Experiment and manipulation of materials and 3D forms
  • The testing out of ideas through visuals, models, prototypes
  • Exploration of the way objects relate to the body.

For more portfolio advice please visit our portfolio advice page.

Interview

Following the review of the portfolio we select a small number of applicants to move on to the next stage of the process.  These applicants will be invited to an online interview, lasting 15 to 20 minutes.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through UCAS Hub.

Feedback

This course receives a high number of applications, and unfortunately we cannot provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you have had an interview.

If you would like to request feedback, please contact us via your portal.

Each and every application is carefully considered by a member(s) of our academic team. With so many strong applicants to choose from, it is often a very difficult decision to make. If you are unsuccessful, you are welcome to apply to us again in the future.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Careers

BA Jewellery Design students develop a broad knowledge of jewellery designing and making, a range of classical and digital techniques, an understanding of the language of materials, plus communication and critical skills.

The degree course is designed to open up a wide range of industry opportunities to graduates, who may also go on to further study at MA level or choose to follow a career in teaching.

Recent BA Jewellery Design alumni activity demonstrates the breadth of student activity within the subject. BA Jewellery Design graduates such as Tomazs Donacik, Zoe Arnold and Hannah Martin have set up successful practices. Others design for studios such as Stephen Webster or Theo Fennell, or work for a commercial jeweller like Asprey, Links of London, or are prominent by virtue of brands or ventures they've launched - Wright and Teague, Dinny Hall, EC One gallery. The skills BA Jewellery Design students learn are also valued in careers such as styling or model making for film and television.

For details of the wide range of careers support provided for students, please visit our Careers support page.