School of Jewellery. Birmingham City University

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Published: 04.02.2020

School of Jewellery

: Vittoria Street 18
B1 3PA - Birmingham
UNITED KINGDOM

: Website BCU; Instagram BCU; Twitter BCU

Mail:: jewellerybcu.ac.uk

Phone:: +44 (0)121 441 5940

Management:: Stephen Bottomley

On November 4, 1889, the Birmingham Jewellery and Silversmiths Association (now the British Jewellers Association) held an historical meeting attended by representatives from the principal jewellery and silverware manufacturing companies. The purpose was to discuss setting up an exclusive school for the jewellery making industry. The Association achieved its objective and a new school opened in the factory building at 84 Vittoria Street, which it still occupies, on September 18, 1890.

Statement

Our internationally renowned School of Jewellery is the largest in Europe, with unrivalled facilities and expertise to develop your career in this exciting specialist sector.

Located on two sites, Vittoria Street and Carver Street, in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter, the School was founded in 1890. The Vittoria Street building’s historical facade conceals a contemporary award-winning environment that included multiple workshops, a specialist library, an atrium gallery and exhibition space. The Carver Street building is home to the Birmingham Assay Office and also houses our Gemmology students and business jewellery suites of courses.

We cover all aspects of jewellery, silversmithing, horology, gemmology and business management working with a wide variety of materials including precious and non-precious metals, gemstones, plastics, textiles, wood and other experimental materials. Our students also benefit from an enviable range of cutting-edge equipment and technology is used in today’s industry including electroforming, CAD/CAM 3D printing and cutting, to name but a few.

Graduating students have a wide spectrum of employability, including; self-employment as designer/makers setting up their own studios or employment for larger companies, including the Assay Office, Tiffany’s, Tag Heuer, Cartier, De Beers.

History:
On November 4, 1889, the Birmingham Jewellery and Silversmiths Association (now the British Jewellers Association) held an historical meeting attended by representatives from the principal jewellery and silverware manufacturing companies. A new school opened on September 18, 1890 in the factory building at 84 Vittoria Street, which it still occupies today.

In 1995, an extensive building and refurbishment programme was completed, creating the largest teaching institution for the specialisation in Europe. Another major aspect of the School – the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre – opened in 1997.

We celebrated our 125 anniversary in 2015 and are an important part of the Faculty of Art, Desig and Media.

In 2016 we opened our Gemmology Department on the site of the Birmingham Assay Office, followed by a visit by HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall later that year.

Our Vittoria Street gallery holds exciting exhibitions and events to showcase the successes of our students and alumni, so watch this space...

Teachers

Head of School: Stephen Bottomley.
Deputy Head of School: Jeremy Hobbins.

Course Directors:
HND Jewellery and Silversmithing:Dauvit Alexander.
BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects: Beaulagh Brooks.
BA (Hons) Horology: Jeremy Hobbins.
BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies: Miranda Wells.
BA (Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing – Design for Industry: Claire Price.
BA (Hons) International Jewellery Business: Kate Thorley.
MA Jewellery and Related Products: Sian Hindle.
MA Luxury Jewellery Management: Michela Ferraro-Cuda
Grad Cert Jewellery and Related Products: Bridie Lander.
Vittoria Street Gallery: Zoe Robertson.
Research staff: Professor Jivan Astfalk, Associate-Professors Ann-Marie Carey and Frank Cooper.
CAD technical staff: Paul Yeomans, Keith Aldcock.

Lecturers:
Andrew Howard, Drew Markou, Andrew Fellows, Anna Lorenz, Bridgette Brown.

Courses

Undergraduate Courses for 2019 entry:
HND Jewellery and Silversmithing (2 years)
Our course will immerse you in the world of jewellery and silversmithing as you create pieces in precious and non-precious metals. You will produce pieces by hand and by mechanical means, with a particular focus on manipulating metal.

BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects (3 years)
You are encouraged to pursue innovation, challenge conventions and push the boundaries of the discipline.

BA (Hons) Horology (3 years)
Discover new designs and materials, discuss the theory behind clocks and watches, and develop specialist skills with our Horology degree, the only course of its type.

BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies (3 years)
Our Gemmology and Jewellery Studies degree is the only one of its kind in the world. It will enable you to gain the highest level of professionally-recognised gemmological skills.

BA (Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing – Design for Industry (1 year top-up)
If you want to be a designer within the contemporary jewellery industry, our Jewellery and Silversmithing – Design for Industry degree will help you succeed.

BA (Hons) International Jewellery Business (3 years)
This course in International Jewellery Business is a unique opportunity to study the management and marketing of jewellery.

Postgraduate Courses for 2019 entry:
MA Jewellery and Related Products (1 year)
Our postgraduate degree in Jewellery and Related Products is a highly respected, innovative course, which develops your creative potential and in-depth knowledge of theories, processes and techniques.

Grad Cert Jewellery and Related Products (6 months)
Our intensive Jewellery and Related Products course is perfect if you want to become a jewellery designer-maker, but feel you need more practical experience and skills.

MA Luxury Jewellery Management (1 year)
You will develop skills to support the marketing needs of luxury jewellery; the design of global strategies; the ethical and sustainability of high-end jewellery business and the fundamentals of luxury branding.