This course is designed for learners who have had at least 3 years of previous experience of jewellery making and silversmithing techniques. Basic sheet metal and wire included in the fee. Please note we do not provide precious metals or gemstones ? your tutor can advise where to purchase these. Access to all tools in our well equipped studio which accommodates 8 learners comfortably. As an intermediate/advanced learner you will have access to our furnace for casting. If you are interested in a specialist technique not listed or described in the course description, please contact the Curriculum Manager before enrolling to find out if it is possible for us to accommodate this.

This course will introduce you to various ways to create exciting textures on metal surfaces before turning them into unique pieces of jewellery. You will experiment and produce samples in copper and brass by using various jewellery making machines and tools such as the rolling mill, chasing and forging hammers, metal stamps and the torch to create the textures. Then you will learn and use various traditional jewellery making techniques, such as annealing, piercing, filing, and soldering, to create bespoke pieces of jewellery out of the textured metals (copper, brass or silver). By the end of the course, you will be able to: use a range of machines and tools to create textured metal samples; use a range of traditional jewellery making techniques like piercing, annealing, scoring, filing and soldering to create exciting pieces of jewellery; work with tools and equipment safely and correctly; create at least one surface textured piece of jewellery in copper, brass or silver.

You will learn through: demonstrations, class discussions, practical tasks, knowledge sharing amongst learners, individual tutorials, hand outs, slide shows and videos. You will work at your own pace and be given feedback on your progress. If you have additional learning support needs, you will be signposted to support. At the end of the course, the tutor will assess your progress and advise you on the next step. All resources used within each lesson are available electronically. There is no formal homework. However, your tutor may discuss ideas with you individually to help extend your study and for ongoing independent projects and research. Your tutor will also recommend exhibitions, books and websites for you to visit to enrich your study.

There is no exam or formal assessment for this course. However, you will work with your tutor to identify your aims at the beginning of the session and will receive one to one feedback throughout as well as sharing outcomes at the end of the course. The tutor will discuss your progression plans with you and make suggestions where appropriate

Once you have completed the course, you may choose to enrol on a further term in this subject or another subject. Advice and Guidance for all further study is available from the Curriculum Manager by request.

You may be eligible for fee reductions or one of our bursaries, please check the Information and Advice section of our website to find out more.

Teachers are supported to ensure their materials are inclusive to meet learners’ needs. Provision of assistive equipment is available and access support can be provided through reasonable adjustments, subject to an interview with the ALS team and/or the Disability Officer. Digital Learning support is available in the Learning Centre.

We offer free support with finding a job, including 1-1 support with job applications, creating a CV or improving your interview skills, as well as advice about progression opportunities. Visit the website for more information or to book an appointment with our Employability Coach.

There are regular cross-college events, external speaker visits, exhibitions, and opportunities for you to get involved in college life. Look out for adverts around the college, iLearn or sign up to Our Newsletter via the website.