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Jewellery: NC (Level 6)

Two women in a jewellery workshop laughing and working together at a wooden workbench, with various tools and equipment scattered around.
Qualification Qualifications Explained
NC
Study Mode
Full Time
Duration

1 Year - 2.5 Days per week
Start date
Aug 2026
Campus
Springburn
Apply now

Course overview

Are you creative, hands-on, and excited by the idea of bringing your own jewellery designs to life?

This course is the perfect way to build your skills, confidence, and portfolio as you take your first steps into the world of jewellery design and manufacture.

The NC Jewellery (Level 6) programme introduces you to the essential techniques used in professional jewellery workshops, from working with metals and tools to exploring your own ideas through drawing, design, and experimentation. Whether you dream of becoming a jeweller, progressing to HNC/HND Art & Design pathways, or simply want to develop your craft, this course offers a friendly and supportive space to learn, make, and grow.

You’ll be part of a small, welcoming class where lecturers guide you through each stage of the design and making process, helping you develop your technical skills while strengthening your creativity. Across the year, you will explore a range of materials, processes, and workshop practices, building a portfolio that reflects your personal style and showcases your developing talent.

This is a great option for school leavers, adults returning to education, or anyone looking for a structured introduction to jewellery skills. With a blend of practical studio time, design development, and workshop learning, you’ll gain the foundation you need to move on to further study or begin shaping your own creative practice.

This course is ideal if you:

  • Are passionate about design, detail, and making.
  • Want to develop hands-on skills using metals, gemstones, and specialist tools.
  • Enjoy experimenting creatively while learning professional techniques.
  • Are aiming to progress to HND or degree-level study in Jewellery or a related art and design discipline.

What you will learn

You’ll study the full jewellery-making process — from initial idea to finished product — through three main areas:

  • Design – explore the creative and technical aspects of jewellery design, considering materials, form, and function. You’ll develop sketching, research and presentation skills to express your own ideas.
  • Manufacture – gain practical experience in our specialist studios, learning traditional and contemporary jewellery-making techniques such as silversmithing, enamelling, engraving, and polishing.
  • Gemstones – study the identification and setting of precious stones through hands-on gemmology and advanced gem-setting techniques valued in the modern jewellery industry.

You’ll also cover specialist topics including:

  • Contemporary Jewellery Design
  • Precious Metal Technology
  • Piercing and Inlay Techniques
  • Working with Wire and Sheet Metal
  • Enamelling
  • Gemstone Identification and Setting

By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to move forward with confidence — equipped with both creative and technical jewellery-making skills.

Jewellery student sitting in a workshop, discussing their experience with design and engraving, with workbenches and tools visible in the background.

Thinking About a Career in Jewellery? 💎✨

Discover dedicated Jewellery courses right here at Glasgow Kelvin College.

Students develop specialist skills in design, manufacture and gemmology, combining creativity with precision craftsmanship.

Hear from Samuel as he shares his experience of studying jewellery and what makes the course so unique.

Design. Detail. Craftsmanship.

View on YouTube

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, but applicants should have a genuine interest in jewellery and design.

✅ Entry is by interview.

✅ Evidence of skills or experience in Art, English, or craftwork would be an advantage.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

  • If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

This qualification opens up a variety of opportunities within the jewellery industry, including:

💍 Jewellery Workshop Assistant

💎 Bench Jeweller

🧰 CAD / Design Assistant

🏪 Jewellery Retail or Manufacturing Assistant

🌐 Freelance or Independent Maker

With further study, you could develop your own jewellery brand or work within established design and production studios.

Future prospects

Successful students can progress to:

  • The HND Jewellery at Glasgow Kelvin College.
  • Degree-level study in Jewellery Design, Silversmithing, or Product Design.
  • Employment or apprenticeship opportunities in jewellery retail, manufacturing, or repair.

This course is the ideal foundation for anyone looking to start a creative career in jewellery or continue their studies at a higher level.

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Read What Our Student Said

Video Transcript – Samuel: HND Jewellery

Hi, my name is Samuel, I am on the jewellery course at Glasgow Kelvin College and currently I'm just making some bracelets.

I'm going to make two bracelets, ten links on each. 

I was at school, I came to Glasgow Kelvin College, do the NC, I'm now doing the HND.

I basically always had a passion for making things and just decided one day that Jewelry would be a great fit for me.

Last year on the NC, we learned a lot about gemology. Super interesting stuff.

This year, we're doing lots of different techniques, a lot of design and I've also really enjoyed the engraving side.

David, our engraver master, he's just so brilliant. And I really hope to learn a lot more from him.

I think you could be a total beginner or have some experience and get along perfectly well and I think it caters to people of all abilities.

The lectures are just so lovely, kind, super helpful, encouraging and I totally recommend it.

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