Birmingham City University

The University’s School of Jewellery dates from the 1890s and is part of the historic heritage of the city’s internationally renowned Jewellery Quarter. The School is the largest of its kind in Europe and offers the UK’s only full-time undergraduate programme in gemmology and horology. The finesse of jewellery design comes from the ingenuity of a jewellery designer and this thriving hub offers students maximum industry exposure, leading to an employability rate of 100% on graduation.

For the last thirty years, the School has developed technical excellence in a range of areas. These include computer-aided design and manufacture, along with commercial and cultural applications which include the interpretation and restoration of major heritage discoveries. This has led to the re-creation and restoration of some of the lost treasures of the Staffordshire Hoard as well as 3D printing of geometrically complex pieces of jewellery.

The School promotes its achievements in craft and design through major showcase exhibitions. By forging creative links with national events, such as the design of the 50p coin to mark the 2012 Olympics, the School has been able to develop extensive links to local and international businesses including Tiffany, Cartier and the UK Goldsmiths Company.