School of Jewellery. Birmingham City University

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

The School was founded in 1890 and is now located over three sites, Vittoria Street, St. Paul's Square and Carver Street, in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter. The Vittoria Street building’s historical facade conceals a contemporary award-winning environment that includes multiple workshops, a basement machine workshop and stores, a specialist Technology Hub, an atrium gallery and exhibition space. The Carver Street building is home to the Birmingham Assay Office and also houses our Gemmology and Jewellery studies undergraduate and postgraduate students, whilst the St. Pauls

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 used in today’s industry including electroforming, CAD/CAM 3D printing and cutting, to name but a few. 

Courses
- Foundation year for our BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects; Horology and BSc Gemmology and Jewellery Studies.
- BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies
- BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects
- BA (Hons) Horology
- BA (Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing – Design for Industry (Level 6/Top Up)
- HND Jewellery and Silversmithing
- Graduate Diploma Jewellery and Related Products
- MSc Gemmology
- MA Jewellery and Related Products
- PhD Art and Design

Course Directors
- Nuala Clooney - Course Director for Foundation in Gemmology, Horology and Jewellery
- Rebecca Skeels - Course Director for BA Honours Jewellery and Objects.
- Miranda Wells - Course Director for BSc for Gemmology and Jewellery Studies.
- Jaq Prendergast - Course Director for BA Honours Horology.
- Katy Tromans - Course Director for BA (top up) Design for Industry.
- Beaulagh Brooks - Course Director for Graduate Diploma in Jewellery and Related Products.
- Iona McCuaig - Course Director for MA Jewellery and Related Products.
- Miranda Wells - Course Director for MSc for Gemmology and Jewellery Studies.
- Katy Tromans - Course Director for HnD Jewellery and Silversmithing.


History:
On November 4, 1889, the Birmingham Jewellery and Silversmiths Association (now the British Jewellers Association) held a historical meeting attended by representatives from the principal jewellery and silverware manufacturing companies. A new school opened on September 18.

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.
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.

We celebrated our 130 anniversary in 2020 and are an important part of the Faculty of Art, Design and Media.
Our Vittoria Street gallery holds exciting exhibitions and events to showcase the successes of our students and alumni, so watch this space...

Events
The School of Jewellery showcases undergraduate work in the annual Inspired Festival in June, and postgraduate work in September every year. The school team also take the opportunity to showcase the work of their students, staff, alumni and Artists in Residence at local, national and international events and exhibitions such as e l, New Designers London, The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester, the Paris Couture Jewellery Fashion Week with Precious Rooms. And as part of the annual Birmingham Jewellery Quarter Festival.

The School uses its own exhibition spaces to showcase touring shows, presentations, talks and one-off exhibitions and displays. This allows staff and students to engage with the objects, meet artists and practitioners, and allow curators, makers and exhibitors to showcase their projects and work in a wonderful space that can be open to the public.