Jewellery

This degree is one of the only courses of its kind in the world, enabling you to gain the highest level of professionally recognised gemmological skills. You will learn in purpose-built facilities at the Assay Office, examining gem materials under the microscope and exploring testing, diamond grading and jewellery valuation.

Find out more: BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies

This is another specialist degree, where you will learn how to design, make and repair clocks and watches using fine hand and machining skills. Benefit from work experience opportunities through the School’s many industry partnerships with luxury goods brands including Richemont UK (who owns Cartier) and Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy.

Find out more: BA (Hons) Horology

You will explore both traditional processes and experimental materials, giving you a range of skills and the confidence to grow creatively. While studying, you will have the opportunity to participate in jewellery exhibitions, enabling you to showcase and sell your pieces to the public. You will also have the chance to enter multiple competitions and industry awards.

Find out more: BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

• Time management
• Public speaking techniques
• Appropriate language styles
• Professional communication and presentation
• Researching and referencing techniques.

Knowledge & Understanding of Creative Practice in Art & Design

You will develop an understanding of contemporary, cultural, social and historical contexts in art and design. This will help you develop your creative practice and make informed decisions about your pathway choices.

Information Researching, Recording and Responding in Art & Design

During this module, you will learn how to undertake in-depth research while exploring many ways to record your findings. You will also learn how to respond to problems, enabling you to develop your skills, self-confidence and studio practice.

Extended Media Experimentation

You will explore your own ideas while experimenting with processes and techniques and discovering the characteristics and properties of selected media.

Semester 1

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication & Preparation and Progression in Art and Design

This module will cover topics including:

• Understanding cultural and gender differences
• Methods for planning, preparing and producing a major art and design project
• Preparing for exhibition.

Information Researching, Recording and Responding in Art & Design

During this module, you will learn how to undertake in-depth research while exploring many ways to record your findings. You will also learn how to respond to problems, enabling you to develop your skills, self-confidence and studio practice.

Media Experimentation in Art and Design

You will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of media – experimenting with both traditional and contemporary processes and techniques. You will gain an understanding of the potential and limitations of media, using critical review and reflection in the planning and development of your own ideas.

Semester 2

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication & Preparation and Progression in Art and Design

This module will cover topics including:

• Understanding cultural and gender differences
• Methods for planning, preparing and producing a major art and design project
• Preparing for exhibition.

Knowledge & Understanding of Creative Practice in Art & Design

You will develop an understanding of contemporary, cultural, social and historical contexts in art and design. This will help you develop your creative practice and make informed decisions about your pathway choices.

Personal Combined Experimental Studies in Art & Design

This module will cover topics including:

• Reviewing and reflecting on your own work
• Challenging previous thoughts, ideas and beliefs
• Health and safety requirements
• Record-keeping.

Extended Media Experimentation

You will explore your own ideas while experimenting with processes and techniques and discovering the characteristics and properties of selected media.

Semester 1

Academic English

This module focuses on speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, writing and grammar, and academic writing. The aim is to build your confidence in communication.

Numeracy Skills

You will gain basic skills in counting, solving number problems, measuring, estimating, sorting, noticing patterns, and adding and subtracting numbers.

Creative Workshop

The module will help you broaden your art, design and media skills and challenge your thinking through media experimentation and manipulation. You will be introduced to the basic studio workshop and materials so you can start producing a personal portfolio of work.

Seminar Sessions (Employability)

During this module, you will participate in BCU’s Graduate+. This employability scheme is designed to help you grow as a future graduate and prepare you for your individual career aspirations. Activities include volunteering, part-time work, and joining a society/team.

Semester 2

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication & Preparation and Progression in Art and Design

This module will cover topics including:

• Understanding cultural and gender differences
• Methods for planning, preparing and producing a major art and design project
• Preparing for exhibition.

Information Researching, Recording and Responding in Art & Design

During this module, you will learn how to undertake in-depth research while exploring many ways to record your findings. You will also learn how to respond to problems, enabling you to develop your skills, self-confidence and studio practice.

Media Experimentation in Art and Design

You will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of media – experimenting with both traditional and contemporary processes and techniques. You will gain an understanding of the potential and limitations of media, using critical review and reflection in the planning and development of your own ideas.

Semester 3

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication & Preparation and Progression in Art and Design

This module will cover topics including:

• Understanding cultural and gender differences
• Methods for planning, preparing and producing a major art and design project
• Preparing for exhibition.

Knowledge & Understanding of Creative Practice in Art & Design

You will develop an understanding of contemporary, cultural, social and historical contexts in art and design. This will help you develop your creative practice and make informed decisions about your pathway choices.

Personal Combined Experimental Studies in Art & Design

This module will cover topics including:

• Reviewing and reflecting on your own work
• Challenging previous thoughts, ideas and beliefs
• Health and safety requirements
• Record-keeping.

Extended Media Experimentation

You will explore your own ideas while experimenting with processes and techniques and discovering the characteristics and properties of selected media.

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

• Time management
• Public speaking techniques
• Appropriate language styles
• Professional communication and presentation
• Researching and referencing techniques.

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

• Cartesian coordinates
• Indices
• Logarithms
• Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
• Geometric progressions.

Information Researching, Recording and Responding in Art & Design

During this module, you will learn how to undertake in-depth research while exploring many ways to record your findings. You will also learn how to respond to problems, enabling you to develop your skills, self-confidence and studio practice.

Extended Media Experimentation

You will explore your own ideas while experimenting with processes and techniques and discovering the characteristics and properties of selected media.

Semester 1

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

• Time management
• Public speaking techniques
• Appropriate language styles
• Professional communication and presentation
• Researching and referencing techniques.

Numerical Techniques 1

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Physics 1

This module defines the basic laws of physics. You will learn how to describe the fundamentals of mechanics and thermofluid mechanics.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Semester 2

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

• Cartesian coordinates
• Indices
• Logarithms
• Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
• Geometric progressions.

Design Concepts

This module will introduce you to design, the importance of design and the fundamentals of technical drawing.

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Information Researching, Recording and Responding in Art & Design

During this module, you will learn how to undertake in-depth research while exploring many ways to record your findings. You will also learn how to respond to problems, enabling you to develop your skills, self-confidence and studio practice.

Semester 1

Academic English

This module focuses on speaking and listening, reading and vocabulary, writing and grammar, and academic writing. The aim is to build your confidence in communication.

Numeracy Skills

You will gain basic skills in counting, solving number problems, measuring, estimating, sorting, noticing patterns, and adding and subtracting numbers.

Creative Workshop

The module will help you broaden your art, design and media skills and challenge your thinking through media experimentation and manipulation. You will be introduced to the basic studio workshop and materials so you can start producing a personal portfolio of work.

Seminar Sessions (Employability)

During this module, you will participate in BCU’s Graduate+. This employability scheme is designed to help you grow as a future graduate and prepare you for your individual career aspirations. Activities include volunteering, part-time work, and joining a society/team.

Semester 2

Interactive Learning Skills and Communication

Throughout this module, you will learn the academic skills needed for success at a UK university, such as:

• Time management
• Public speaking techniques
• Appropriate language styles
• Professional communication and presentation
• Researching and referencing techniques.

Numerical Techniques 1

This module will introduce you to basic mathematics and mathematical applications – including equations, algebraic problems and trigonometry.

Physics 1

This module defines the basic laws of physics. You will learn how to describe the fundamentals of mechanics and thermofluid mechanics.

ICT Skills

This module will introduce you to the concepts of ICT skills, including applications and reporting mechanisms.

Semester 3

Numerical Techniques 2

This module covers a variety of numerical techniques associated with basic number theory, including:

• Cartesian coordinates
• Indices
• Logarithms
• Polynomial, quadratic and simultaneous equations
• Geometric progressions.

Design Concepts

This module will introduce you to design, the importance of design and the fundamentals of technical drawing.

Critical Thinking

You will be introduced to the fundamentals of critical thinking. You will learn how to examine and comment on components of an argument, so that you can develop a structured and analytical response.

Information Researching, Recording and Responding in Art & Design

During this module, you will learn how to undertake in-depth research while exploring many ways to record your findings. You will also learn how to respond to problems, enabling you to develop your skills, self-confidence and studio practice.

You must submit a good portfolio if you are entering the two-semester programme without a related academic subject.

A portfolio is NOT required for entry onto BSc (Hons) Gemmology and Jewellery Studies or BA (Hons) Horology.

All students accessing the 3D workshops, plaster room, glass room, water-jet cutting room and the kiln room will need to wear safety footwear with toe caps. Such footwear can be purchased from any safety footwear provider (e.g. Sports Direct) and can be as cheap as £12. The shoes should be S1P and comply with EN 20345.

There is no long-term storage facility for personal items in the workshops, so you will need to bring the safety footwear with you each day you are accessing the workshops.

Art, Design & Media Programme Specification (PDF, 421 KB)