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Jewellery: HND

A male craftsman with braided hair and a beard, wearing a bright green shirt, measuring a piece of jewellery with calipers in a workshop filled with equipment.
Qualification Qualifications Explained
HND
Study Mode
Full Time
Duration

2 Years - 2.5 Days per week
Start date
Aug 2026
Campus
Springburn
Apply now

Course overview

Blend traditional craftsmanship with innovative digital design to create striking, contemporary jewellery.

This exciting two-year programme gives you the chance to develop as a creative jewellery designer–maker, building confidence across both traditional bench skills and modern digital production techniques. You’ll explore the full design journey — from sketching and metalwork to CAD modelling, 3D printing and gemstone setting — learning how to turn your ideas into beautifully finished pieces.

Throughout the course, you’ll experiment with precious metals, gemstones, casting processes and professional finishing methods while developing your own creative style. You’ll also build essential entrepreneurial skills, including branding, portfolio development and digital marketing, to help you establish yourself within Scotland’s vibrant jewellery industry.

Delivered by experienced makers in well-equipped studios, the course offers a supportive, hands-on environment where you can grow your technical skill, creative identity and understanding of the wider jewellery sector. Whether you’re looking to progress to degree-level study, begin your own jewellery business or step into industry as a designer or CAD specialist, this programme provides a strong foundation for your next steps.

This course is ideal for you if you:

  • Are creative, detail-focused and enjoy designing and making things with your hands.
  • Want to develop technical skills in metalwork, gem setting, CAD and 3D production.
  • Are interested in combining traditional jewellery techniques with modern technologies.
  • Hope to progress to further study in art, design or jewellery — or start your own brand.

What you will learn

You’ll work through a combination of technical projects and personal design briefs, allowing you to master key skills while developing your individual creative voice

  • Traditional Jewellery Techniques – learn essential bench-based manufacturing skills in precious metals such as silver, gold and platinum.
  • Digital Jewellery Design and 3D Production – explore CAD, 3D printing and investment casting to produce innovative contemporary pieces.
  • Gemstone Identification and Advanced Setting – study the characteristics of gemstones and refine your precision setting techniques.
  • Historical and Contemporary Design – understand how styles, materials and trends have shaped the jewellery industry.
  • Entrepreneurship and Digital Marketing – develop business, branding and online sales skills to market your own jewellery collections.
  • Creative Design Development – design, prototype and present your own unique work through portfolio projects and exhibitions.

This blend of creative and technical study ensures you graduate as a skilled, adaptable designer ready for both traditional workshops and modern studios.

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

Applicants should have one of the following:

✅ NC Group Award in Jewellery. OR

✅ NPA Group Award in Jewellery. OR

✅ A relevant qualification or experience in Art and Design. OR

✅ Other industrial experience or a related background (assessed at interview).

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

Graduates can pursue careers across the jewellery design and manufacturing industry, including:

💎 Jewellery Designer or Maker

🪞 CAD Designer / Digital Modeller

🧰 Workshop or Bench Jeweller

🏪 Jewellery Retail or Repair Specialist

🌐 Self-Employed Designer / Online Seller

Many graduates also launch their own jewellery brands, combining creative talent with business insight gained from the course.

Future prospects

Successful students may progress to:

  • Degree-level study at institutions such as The Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, or Birmingham School of Jewellery.
  • Teacher training at Strathclyde University, specialising in technical or creative subjects.
  • Direct entry into industry roles or freelance jewellery design practice.

This qualification opens doors to further education and professional recognition within Scotland’s vibrant jewellery and design community.

Real Industry Connections

The department is well connected to the retail and manufacturing jewellery industry in the West of Scotland and the wider UK allowing for guest speakers, workshop visits and work placements to occur during the academic year where possible.

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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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