The postgraduate course is concerned with the design and development through individual practice in the diverse disciplines of this subject. It is designed to enable you to identify, understand and contribute to the development of existing and new career directions in design, studio production and small-scale manufacture of jewellery, silversmithing and related products and extends beyond the conventional parameters of the subject to share boundaries with industrial design, fashion design, fine art and sculpture.

It is one of very few courses in the subject nationally, is situated in new, purpose-built accommodation and offers a comprehensive range of facilities and equipment.

The School of Jewellery has very good links with industry and commerce and the course benefits from close association with the School's broad programme of specialist courses leading to qualifications at varying levels, as well as contact with the wide range of postgraduate courses in Birmingham City University Institute of Art and Design (BIAD).

A programme of specialist short courses is run for industry and commerce in which students of the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma course are eligible to participate.

Course Content

A lecture and seminar programme runs throughout the first two stages of the course introducing and developing theoretical and practical studies concerned with the design procress, production methods and professional practice. Your research can relate to a wide range of areas including design history, galleries, commerce and industry.

Design experiences include the generation of iideas by developing studio methodologies, strategies for product development and the analysis of design problems. Reflection on the relationships between personal objectives, cultural values, market identities, manufacturing, prototyping techniques and new technologies will further enhance and contextualise your studio practice.

The course provides an opportunity to extend beyond the conventional parameters of the subject and has affinities with product design, fashion, fine art and sculpture.

Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
You will apply concept origination and development techniques, prototyping facilites, market and other research techniques to facilitate the development of individual design projects.

Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
You will gain in-depth knowledge of new and unfamiliar technologies and skills, applicable to your own artistic and intellectual research. You will apply project planning techniques and strategic thinking to further develop your individual design strategy, which informs the direction of personal and professional objectives and studio practice.

Master's (MA)
You will apply accumulated contextual information to the conduct and documentation of a Major Design Study, which addresses the relationship between your skills and objectives, professional planning and career aspiration. You will demonstrate you understanding, knowledge and critical awareness through the systematic development of a substantial body of practical work, supported by a written report, informed by personal research.