Skip to main content
Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery

Female model with gold jewellery on her wrist
Project by BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery student, Matilda Ji.| London College of Fashion | University of Arts London
College
London College of Fashion
UCAS code
W700
Start date
September 2023
Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery is founded on four key principles: craft and technology, sustainable practice, performance, and identity; these principles inform all teaching on this course.

Course undergoing re-approval

Please note this course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Why choose this course at London College of Fashion

    • Unique: this is the only jewellery course embedded in a fashion-dedicated college. This allows for cross-pollination and collaboration that mimics industry practice and the collaborative nature of the fashion industry. This makes BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery the start of a student’s global professional network.
    • Industry links: The course is supported by guest lectures with industry partners which have included designers Noel Stewart, Michelle Lowe-Holder and Melanie Georgacopoulos, as well as live briefs and competitions.
    • Personalisation: several taught units on the course allow students to choose a direction that best suits their interests, personal development and career goals, allowing students to tailor their studies to their needs.
    • Facilities: students have access to a range of different workshops and technologies, from traditional benchwork studios to casting rooms and digital fabrication studios such as the Digital Learning Laboratory. Teaching focuses on how traditional and digital making can work hand-in-hand.
    • Skills: the course focuses on globally recognised industry skills in jewellery design. The focus is on personal vision as well as quality product design, supported by transferable skills that enable students to navigate and adapt to the ever-changing creative industries.

Course overview

Introduction 

BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery is founded on four key principles: craft and technology, sustainable practice, performance, and identity; these principles inform all teaching on this course.   

What to expect 

  • Students will take part in Design and Studio sessions where they will be introduced to different design methodologies and to research and development processes. This supports students in finding a method that works for them.  

  • Technical and Digital Core Skills classes from a dedicated technical team help students to materialise ideas into jewellery products. 

  • Outside of taught sessions students are expected to make the most of the open access workshops, IT facilities and the libraries. 

  • Students will learn from experts in the field as the academic team is made up of active designers who work at the forefront of their disciplines. This helps support students through current relevant practice and knowledge. 

  • Several units on the course allow students to choose a direction which best suits their interests, personal development and career goals so students can tailor their studies to their needs. 

  • Critical thinking and cultural and contextual awareness are supported by the Fashion Cultures and Histories Research Centre who enable students to appreciate the bigger narrative of the subject area and the impact of their practice.  

Work experience and opportunities 

Students will be given the opportunity to undertake a short work experience placement during their second year of study. This provides increased industry awareness as well as crucial experience and valuable contacts within the industry. Students have previously worked at a wide range of companies including Shaun Leane, Atelier Ted Noten, Michelle Lowe Holder, Simone Rocha, Ùna Burke, Jing He, Valery Demure and The Unseen.  

Studies will also be supported by visits to galleries, museums, manufacturers and studios, alongside optional study trips outside of London and abroad.  

Mode of study 

BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 30 weeks. 

Contact us

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

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Introduction

The BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery is founded on 4 key principles that inform the teaching on the Course in the first 4 blocks: 

  • Craft and Technology centres around the development of technical expertise from traditional jewellery benchwork to digital design and fabrication techniques as well as outsourced manufacture.  
  • Sustainable Practice approaches sustainability in a broad sense, through materials and processes as well as through collaborative practice developing challenging proposals for the future. 
  • Performance explores how to convey bold concepts through fashion jewellery statement pieces, how they are worn and the context they are shown in.  
  • Identity; is about defining who you are as a designer developing your unique vision for fashion jewellery that builds on personal strengths and interests while developing new expertise. 

Year one block one

  • Introduction to Fashion Jewellery introduces you to your discipline and the college through a project that focusses on research, development and presentation skills for fashion jewellery design. 

  • Jewellery Design and Technology focuses on different design methods and takes you into the workshop to learn a wide range of techniques and processes as well as documentation and presentation strategies.  

Year one block two 

  • Sustainable Futures is a collaborative project that supports future thinking to respond to changing markets and aspirations and the development of proposals for a fashion jewellery collection that challenges the system as we know it. 

  • Fashion Cultures and Histories acquaints you to fashion theory through critical research and analysis skills through the writing of an essay 

  • Better Lives is a College wide options unit based on the idea that fashion can change lives. You can choose a module from the School of Business or the School of Media to gain knowledge and experience in a different fashion discipline to suit your personal interests and development. 

Year two block one

  • Concept, Context & Performance Unit asks you to consider fashion jewellery in relation to different industry contexts and scenarios and develop a statement piece as well as a collection of refined batch-produced products. 

  • Critical Issues in Fashion Research unit allows you to choose an option covering a current cultural theme in fashion studies to write an essay about. It is supported by lectures and seminars. 

Year two block two 

  • Work Experience is a 10 weeks placement in a fashion jewellery or related company to give you real-life experience of an aspect of the industry.  

  • Identity, Innovation & Impact asks you to select one of 3 pathways directed by external researchers or practitioners that approaches fashion jewellery from a particular perspective to enhance and direct your studies towards your personal interests. 

Final year 

  • Contextualising Your Practice allows you to build on your historical and theoretical understanding of fashion through a research-led extended essay that is related to your design ethos and interests. This theoretical unit supports your development for your final year design project 

  • Concept Development Unit informs and prepares you for your Final Major Project. You will be expected to negotiate a project brief that will allow for a full and in-depth investigation into areas of interest to you. 

  • Final Major Project is the culmination of your degree in which you will further demonstrate your innovative approach and deeper engagement, analysis and conclusions to develop a major body of work. You will leave the course with a professionally presented fashion jewellery project that showcases your vision, your creative direction and your technical abilities through products and portfolio. 

Learning and teaching methods

The following teaching and learning methods are employed to support the integrated achievement of the course outcomes using a blended learning mode of delivery: 

  •  Online lectures. 
  •  Online seminars.
  •  Physical workshops and practical demonstrations. 
  •  Online tutorials.
  •  Physical and online critiques.

Student and graduate work

  • Iris-Vilu.jpg
    Work by Iris Vilu
  • Suinan-Li-5.jpg
    Work by Suinan Li
  • Simpson-Ma-1.jpg
    Work by Simpson Ma
  • Emily-Xitong-He.jpg
  • Dayana-Pinaeva.jpg
    Work by Dayana Pinaeva

BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery

Graduate work from the LCF summer series 2021

Latest news from this course

LCF facilities

  • Library, John Princes Street
    Library, John Princes Street Photography by: Ideal Insight
    LCF archives and library

    Take a tour of LCF's world renowned fashion library, ideal for research and study.

  • Mfundo Mahlangu from BA Cordwainers Footwear- Product Design and Innovation; Photographer Alys Tomlinson
    Mfundo Mahlangu from BA Cordwainers Footwear- Product Design and Innovation; Photographer Alys Tomlinson
    Footwear, accessories and jewellery facilities

    Take a tour of Golden Lane's workshops and leather room.

  • Canteen, Mare Street
    Canteen, Mare Street Photography by: Ideal Insight
    LCF's social spaces

    Explore our social spaces, for collaborative study and breaks, across our six sites in London.

  • LCF at Stratford Exterior Design
    LCF at Stratford Exterior Design
    LCF's move

    LCF is moving to a new single campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2023. Find more information about the College’s relocation.

Staff

Course Leader, Bernadette Deddens holds an MA in Design Products from Royal College of Art under Ron Arad. She runs a design and curatorial practice with a keen interest in object culture, the origins of things and the environment that creates them. In her multi material practice medium, form and method are subject to the idea. This is reflected in her teaching. Her practice and approach to designing rely on transferable skills. Her design practice won the 2014 Icon Award for Emerging Design Studio and the 2018 Swarovski/Design Miami Designers of the Future Award. Her work has been published and exhibited internationally.

Lecture,r Husam El-Odeh, has a background in Fine Art and Jewellery, graduating from Middlesex University under Caroline Broadhead in 2005. His eponymous jewellery label works on projects and collaborations for Acne, Mihara Yasuhiro, Tasaki, Topman, Topshop, Pringle and Swarovski. His collaboration with Acne was endorsed by the likes of Kylie Minogue and Chloe Sevigny and customers of his own work include Karl Lagerfeld, Rhianna and Chloe Moretz.He developed Atelier Swarovski's best-selling Core Collection for Nadja Swarovski in 2015. His latest collaborations include work with Vogue Fashion Fund winners Palmer//Harding and and fellow academic, NewGen menswear designer Per Gotesson.

Associate Lecturer Carol Wiseman holds a BA in Silversmithing & Jewellery from Glasgow School of Art and an MA Fashion at CSM, specialising in jewellery for fashion. She runs her jewellery practice and design consultancy and works across the fashion, jewellery, lingerie, media and music industries, collaborating and designing for catwalk, editorial & advertising, and press or stage pieces for musicians. She has worked with Danielle Scutt, Julien Macdonald, new menswear brand - Parc London and Phoebe English. She has also created catwalk collections for one of fashion’s most innovative and ground-breaking designers, Hussein Chalayan. Her work has appeared in ID, Another man, Purple, Elle, Dazed, Chinese Vogue and other renowned publications.

Lecturer, Mala Siamptani obtained a degree in 3D Design, an MA Creative Thinking, an MA Fashion Artefact and currently conducting a PhD research. As a design practitioner she runs her studio specializing in the research, development and delivery of creative projects in Fashion, Design and Art sector. Following extensive material research, her work attempts to connect traditional craft with digital technology. As an insider researcher, she conducts studies on experimental processes and the future of material culture, in order to advance knowledge regarding the jewellery design practice and the outcomes of this practice while integrating digital technologies. She has recently presented her findings at the 6th Global Fashion Conference, the 2nd and 3rd Creativity Researchers Conference (UK) and the 1st World Symposium for Fashion, Jewellery and accessories (Shanghai).

Associate Lecturer, Sabine Roth holds a BA in jewellery and combines this knowledge with Textiles and Technology since graduating from MA Textiles and Mixed Media at Royal College of Art. She worked with jewellery designers Scott Wilson and Saskia Diez and the innovative London based design consultancy Hirsch&Mann whilst running her own jewellery line.  Her strengths and interests lie in combining traditional materials with contemporary techniques in future-facing production and material making. Through Peut-Porter Platformshe explores the body in the digital age developing materials, textiles and artefacts using digital and bespoke manufacturing skills. One of their last projects included costumes & stage for Julie Cunningham's - Reckonings at Sadler’s Wells.

Jessica Saunders is the programme director for the Fashion Design Programme, which includes BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Menswear, BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear and BA (Hons) Fashion Jewellery. Read Jessica Saunders' full profile here.

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 minimum entry requirements for this course are:

One or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications.

  • 112 UCAS tariff points from two or more A Levels (preferred subjects include, Art, Design, English, Maths);
  • Distinction Foundation Diploma in Art and Design;
  • Disction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma in Art & Design;
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma;
  • Access Diploma or 112 new UCAS tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma;
  • 112 new UCAS tariff points from a combination of the above qualifications or an equivalent full Level 3 qualification;
  • or equivalent EU or non-EU qualifications such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 25 points minimum;
  • and three GCSE passes at grade A*-C or grade 9-4.

Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. 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 we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English Language Requirements

IELTS level 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English Language Requirements 

Selection criteria

The course team seeks to recruit students who can demonstrate:

  • The ability to work in 3D and have the aptitude to develop skills for manipulation of materials
  • A range of drawing skills and a commitment to using drawing and colour as a communication tool
  • An understanding of research and how it underpins the design process
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, linked with an enquiring and innovative approach to study
  • An interest in fashion jewellery and commitment to professional self-development, including independent learning

Apply now

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

You should apply through UCAS – Universities and Colleges Admissions Service – and you will need the following information:

University code:          U65

UCAS Code:                 W700

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. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

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.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 PM (GMT) on  25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry.

What happens next

All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry requirements and Selection Criteria sections.

If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a portfolio via PebblePad, our online submission tool, which should include a number of images of your work. You can upload a maximum of 30 images which best shows your work – please note however that you do not have to provide this exact number. PebblePad refers to ‘images’ when you upload your work - think of each 'image' as a page in your physical portfolio.

For this course your portfolio should show evidence of: drawing/presentation skills; contemporary fashion/cultural awareness; a level of research, exploration and experimentation; a sensitivity to the selection of materials; construction/technical competence; ability to think/work in 3D; and visual communication skills.

The portfolio is assessed by Academic Reviewers who will decide if they are able to make an offer based on the work you have demonstrated. It may be, however, that the tutor wishes to speak with you further about your work and so you will be invited to attend an online interview. At the interview the Academic Reviewer will discuss your portfolio that you submitted in PebblePad; it will be possible to show more of your work during the interview if the tutor feels it necessary for you to do so.

Please note that not all applicants will be invited to attend interview.

If you are made an offer, you will have the opportunity to engage with course teams at a number of planned engagement activities, where you will be able to ask any questions you may have and also speak to current students studying on the course.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through UCAS Track. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

This section includes all the information you need on how to apply, how your application is considered and what happens next.

There are 2 ways international students can apply to an undergraduate course:

You must apply through UCAS, where you will need the following information:

  • University code – U65
  • UCAS course code – W700

Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Applications for this course can only be accepted for this year of entry. Applications for deferred entry cannot be accepted. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

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. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

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.

If you are an International applicant and studying outside the UK, please complete your Direct application and then contact us via your UAL Portal to ask to be considered for Year 2/Year 3.

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.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 PM (GMT) on  25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

What happens next

Immigration History Check

Whether you are applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an Immigration History Check to identify whether you are eligible to study at UAL. Do be aware, if you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

Initial application check

All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the course team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry requirements and Selection Criteria sections.

If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a portfolio via PebblePad, our online submission tool, which should include a number of images of your work. You can upload a maximum of 30 images which best shows your work – please note however that you do not have to provide this exact number. PebblePad refers to ‘images’ when you upload your work - think of each 'image' as a page in your physical portfolio.

For this course your portfolio should show evidence of: drawing/presentation skills; contemporary fashion/cultural awareness; a level of research, exploration and experimentation; a sensitivity to the selection of materials; construction/technical competence; ability to think/work in 3D; and visual communication skills.

The portfolio is assessed by Academic Reviewers who will decide if they are able to make an offer based on the work you have demonstrated. It may be, however, that the tutor wishes to speak with you further about your work and so you will be invited to attend an online interview. At the interview the Academic Reviewer will discuss your portfolio that you submitted in PebblePad; it will be possible to show more of your work during the interview if the tutor feels it necessary for you to do so.

Please note that not all applicants will be invited to attend interview.

If you are made an offer, you will have the opportunity to engage with course teams at a number of planned engagement activities, where you will be able to ask any questions you may have and also speak to current students studying on the course.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

If you applied through UCAS the result of your application will be communicated to you via UCAS through UCAS Track. If you have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL portal. You will only receive further communication directly from the College if your application has been successful. This will be in the form of a full offer pack including details of accommodation, fees, and other important information.

After you apply

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this Portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via UCAS Track or the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.

Potential changes to course structure

Please note: the information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course. Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year. In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.

Webpage updates

We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please use the register your interest form above.

Careers

All of our undergraduate courses offer career development, so that you become a creative thinker, making effective contributions to your relevant sector of the fashion industry.

LCF offers students the opportunity to develop Personal and Professional Development (PPD) skills while studying through:

· An on-course work experience or placement year. Please note, this is not available on every course; please see the Course Details section for information about work placement opportunities.

· Access to to speaker programmes and events featuring alumni and industry.

· Access to careers activities, such as CV clinics and one-to-one advice sessions.

· Access to a graduate careers service

· Access to a live jobsboard for all years.

· Advice on setting up your own brand or company.

Graduates who wish to continue their education at postgraduate level can progress to suitable courses within the College, the University or elsewhere.

Career paths

Many graduates prefer to seek employment as soon as they have completed their undergraduate studies. Graduates are now working for a number of companies, including Bogara, ASOS, WGSN, Tatty Devine, Alex Monroe, Fannie Schiavoni, Alexander McQueen, Mercury Designs Ltd, and IPR London. Others have gone on to establish their own brands and design studios or are working educating others in jewellery design.

Simpson Ma developed his label Sweet Lime Juice and works with high profile concept boutiques, fashion designers and stylists.

Yue Zhou launched her brand Yuesphere recently in Shanghai.

Industry projects and collaborations

In 2016/17 we launched the Swarovski Innovator Award competition for Final Year Students and this has been running annually since. Last year Sofia Azevedo won the competition (there’s an interview with her linked to the course page)

In 2019-20 our first year students created images and GIFs for a competition run by TOUS, a Barcelona based lifestyle brand. They were asked to redesign their iconic bear logo to celebrate its 100 years anniversary. An exhibition with the results is to launch this September.