Diploma in Creative Jewellery – A Real Alternitive to a Degree in Jewellery Making
With the rising cost of university fees to a staggering £9,000 per year in 2012, many students are looking towards more vocational and affordable courses, that are not only more geared towards learning the practical elements of working in the trade but also minimize student debt.
So it’s not wonder that new ‘Diploma in Creative Jewellery’ from London Jewellery School has been such a success. For almost a third of the price of just one year of a degree course, students learn all the practical jewellery making skills needed to set up their own jewellery business or studio or to work for other designers within the trade.
The Diploma focuses on combining a mixture of traditional jewellery skills such as silversmithing, stone setting, wax carving and enamel but is unique also in its focus on more contemporary methods and materials such as resin, perspex, metal clay, fashion jewellery and polymer clay. This is an innovative aspect of the course that reflects what is happening in the jewellery industry as a whole, as the rising cost of precious metals are causing jewellers to look toward these other methods and materials to ensure the affordability and sustainability of their craft.
Each week of the year long course focuses on a different aspect of jewellery making and design taught by professional jewellers who have worked in the industry or run their own jewellery business and so are well placed to share their experience with budding jewellers. The course is also unique in its focus on the business skills required to set up and run a jewellery studio and many of the students are encouraged to take up practical internships in neighboring Hatton Garden or other jewellery related organisations to further their understanding and engagement in the trade.
Diploma student, Zoë Richardson enrolled in the course as an alternative to going back to university…
“I’ve always wanted to complete a course in jewellery making, but the thought of going back to university for another three years, along with the rise in cost of fees really put me off. The diploma course at LJS has been a perfect alternative as it allows me to touch on a wide variety of techniques and materials, and it’s all very practical and hands on. Most people hate getting up on a Monday morning, but I love it because it means I’m spending the day at the London Jewellery School!”
Zoë Richardson, 2011
There are two intakes a year in January and September to coincide with the academic year. For full details about the course and information on booking, the London Jewellery School can be contacted on the details below:
Tel: 0203 176 0546
Info@londonjewelleryschool.co.uk
www.londonjewelleryschool.co.uk/diploma