Higher Education Institutions

We've complied a list of all the national organisations offering jewellery, silversmithing or metal at HND or degree level here...

West Dean

West Dean is world-renowned for its training in arts, crafts, conservation and design with campuses located in the tranquil Sussex countryside and central London’s thriving Bloomsbury district. Study industry-leading degrees and diplomas and short courses with exceptional teaching, industry connections, flexible learning options, and career support.

Courses in metalwork range from making to conservation. You can expect a strong emphasis on developing good hand skills underpinned by theoretical study. Students in all programmes are encouraged to understand historic craft practice in order to place their work in a broader context.

The course is delivered in a purpose-designed workshop, with areas for photography, analysis (microscopes, metallurgy), chemicals, hot work (including casting, soldering, welding) and machining. You will also have access to on-site silversmiths and blacksmithing workshops.

You will learn the language, ethics and philosophy of your new profession alongside practical techniques and gain a keen understanding of estimating the time needed for a piece of work in a professional, problem-solving environment.

Theory and Practice - Practical work is supported by studying the history, conservation theory and material science of objects, enhanced by visiting lecturers and group visits to collections, studios and workshops.

Professional Practice - You will help organise and undertake work for a range of clients and learn how to estimate and tender for work. Seminars, lectures and case studies all add to producing a competitive portfolio of treated objects and sought-after workplace skills.

COURSES AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (Awards validated by University of Sussex)

Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies - 1 academic year, full-time

The Graduate Diploma (Level 6) is the start of your transition into Conservation Studies. The Graduate Diploma provides the theoretical and practical knowledge and experience necessary to start your career as a conservator and to begin to develop an area of specialisation. The programme is designed to be accessible from both the humanities and science study backgrounds.

MA Conservation Studies - 1 calendar year, full-time

The MA Conservation Studies equips you with the high level specialist skills sought by the conservation sector. For students of English, History, Archaeology and varied Humanities disciplines Conservation offers an exciting career. The course focuses on research through practice.

BA (Hons) Craft Practices - 1 academic year, full-time

The BA (Hons) Craft Practices course (specialising in Clocks, Furniture, Metals, Musical Instruments and Books and Bindings) is a one-year programme designed to provide a route into professional practice in your chosen field or for progression onto postgraduate study. The programme is intensely practical, with most assignments designed to enable you to create work which enhances your craft skills alongside the development of your own personal interests and voice.

Foundation Degree Arts – Metalwork - 2 academic years, full-time

The Foundation Degree (FdA) Metalwork at West Dean is a technical and design skills-building programme, which will introduce you to the creation of the widest range of hand-crafted and small scale batch produced metal artefacts; from silversmithing to blacksmithing, from jewellery to bronze-casting, from bike frames to light fittings and from door handles to padlocks.

MFA Craft Practices - 2 academic years, full-time

The Master of Fine Art (MFA) Craft Practices at West Dean College is a two-year full-time masters course designed to support you to further advance your practical, theoretical and professional skills, through an emphasis on specialist studio practice. You are likely to already have a well-developed craft practice but want to spend a further period of time specialising and refining your core concerns and creative ambitions.

COURSE LEADERS

Kate Jennings, Subject Leader, Conservation Studies specialising in Metalwork

Kate's background includes practicing as a solicitor before making a career change to train as a blacksmith and specialist Metals Conservator. She earned an MA in Conservation Studies from West Dean, following which she founded a small business specializing in the conservation of forged and architectural metalwork. Through this experience, she gained valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges involved in running a small conservation business, which she integrates into the Metals conservation programs.