School of Jewellery. Birmingham City University

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...