Edinburgh College of Art

BA Jewellery and Silversmithing
Our programme aims to produce designers who create fresh, exuberant work demonstrating originality and innovation. We encourage students to combine new technologies with traditional techniques in materials including precious or semi-precious metal and gemstones, plastics, wood, paper, stone and textiles.

We maintain an outstanding international reputation and an impressive track record of employability with strong industrial links. Our staff regularly exhibit their work and lecture internationally; they are committed to sharing their experience to assist students to move rapidly into the professional design world.

We aim to equip graduates with a realistic understanding of the wider industry including career and future study opportunities. International exchanges and live projects enable you to gain a greater understanding of a range of industrial and craft production approaches.
Integrated with your practical studio work, Design and Screen Cultures courses provide a contextual and theoretical understanding of the holistic nature of contemporary design.

We have close ties with industry professional bodies, including Edinburgh’s Scottish Goldsmiths Trust and London Goldsmiths Company who annually support our final year students with precious metal awards and sponsorship. These bodies also run, or support, educational events, training, mentoring, competitions and exhibitions that we participate in fully.
 
Everything seems to have come together for me, each opportunity inspiring or leading onto the next. The summer costume jewellery internship led onto a costume jewellery workshop in Germany, which inspired the theme for my dissertation that subsequently inspired me to apply for a job with Swarvoski. I felt ready to take that next step in to the working world after graduation and hope that the snowball effect of great opportunities is to continue. / Laura Templeton, graduate


History:
Edinburgh College of Art was founded in 1907 with a history dating back to the 18th century. The College entered a new era on 1 August 2011 when it merged with the University of Edinburgh. Both institutions share high academic standards and international reputations, and the merger offers additional exciting opportunities for learning, teaching and research. The College now combines with the University's School of Arts, Culture and Environment to create a new Edinburgh College of Art within the University containing Art, Design, Music, Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and History of Art (you can find out more at www.ed.ac.uk/eca). This new Edinburgh College of Art will be a powerful and dynamic centre for the visual, creative and performing arts within Scotland and beyond.

Exchange links exist between the College and jewellery and silversmithing departments around the world, including Canada, USA, Japan, Estonia, Finland and Seoul, South Korea. Seoul, South Korea were established in 2008 and sponsored by the Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh.

Jewellery and Silversmithing is an internationally renowned department located in the School of Design alongside Glass, Design Informatics, Product Design, Textiles, Fashion, Performance Costume, Interior Design and a range of Visual Communication disciplines. BA (Hons) and MFA award programmes are all offered with the further opportunity to study for PhD by studio practice. Graduates are typically established in the field as makers, designers, teachers and artists emerging from the College with confidence and adaptable skills. 


Teachers
Head of Department: Jennifer Gray
Reader: Susan Cross
Lecturer: Maria MacLennan
Teaching Fellow: Mirka Janeckova
Teaching Fellow: Heather Woof