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Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery
Design and Manufacturing
Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery
Design and Manufacturing
The UK’s most practical beginner’s jewellery course, created with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to meet industry needs.
This one-year hands-on course builds your foundation in jewellery design and manufacturing. Alumni include Genevieve Schwartz (NAJ Designer of the Year 2024) and Cece Fein-Hughes (Forbes 30 Under 30).
At BAJ, we don’t just teach jewellery – we live it.
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Study mode: In person -
Location: London / Birmingham -
Start date and duration:
Sept 2026: 10 months ( London / Birmingham)
Full bursaries may be available for 16-18 years based in London, subject to availability and eligibility.
Overview
Are you ready to turn your passion for jewellery into a career?
Our Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing offers a hands-on introduction to jewellery design and manufacturing, providing a solid foundation for your future in the industry.
Created by the British Academy of Jewellery in collaboration with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), this qualification is designed to meet the needs of the jewellery sector. It’s the most comprehensive and practical beginner’s course available, equipping you with the creative and technical skills essential for becoming a qualified jeweller.
During your diploma, you’ll explore a variety of introductory-level manufacturing techniques, learn practical design skills in jewellery illustration and 2D CAD, and gain an introduction to jewellery history, metallurgy, and creative thinking exercises. You’ll learn from BAJ’s experienced tutors through practical workshops and theoretical classes.
Enquire now
Level
L3 Diploma in Jewellery Design & ManufacturingAwarding body
SQAStudy mode
In person
Location
London: Full programme
Birmingham: Full programme
Tuition fee
£6,421/FREE (subject to eligibility)See fees and funding for details
Next start date & duration
Full (Sept 2026): 10 months, 2 d/w
Our Impact and Achievements
At the British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ), we’re proud to be recognised as a
pioneering force in jewellery education. Our reputation is built on innovation,
industry relevance, and real-world success.
Endorsed for quality
We’ve been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in both 2019 and 2025, affirming our trusted reputation for responding to jewellery industry needs.
Setting national standards in jewellery education
In partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, BAJ co-developed the SQA Level 3, 4 and 5 qualifications in jewellery, setting a new benchmark for vocational jewellery education in the UK.
NSS-backed teaching quality and student satisfaction
Our HND Business course achieved 96.5% student satisfaction, a testament to the high-quality teaching and support that extends across all BAJ programmes, including jewellery.
Recognised by the Mayor of London
We’re proud to hold the Mayor’s Skills Academies Quality Mark – a prestigious recognition for London’s most exceptional skills training providers.
Endorsed for quality
We’ve been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in both 2019 and 2025, affirming our trusted reputation for responding to jewellery industry needs.
Setting national standards in jewellery education
In partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, BAJ co-developed the SQA Level 3, 4 and 5 qualifications in jewellery, setting a new benchmark for vocational jewellery education in the UK.
NSS-backed teaching quality and student satisfaction
Our HND Business course achieved 96.5% student satisfaction, a testament to the high-quality teaching and support that extends across all BAJ programmes, including jewellery.
Recognised by the Mayor of London
We’re proud to hold the Mayor’s Skills Academies Quality Mark – a prestigious recognition for London’s most exceptional skills training providers.
What Will You Learn
Basic manufacturing skills covered by the course include marking, measuring, cutting, piercing and drilling metal, creating rings and chains, soldering straight seams, polishing and finishing. Students also learn how to carve and produce wax for casting and gain theoretical knowledge about the lost wax casting process. As the Level 3 Diploma course is an introductory programme, emphasis is also placed on the teaching of safe working practice.
In terms of 2D design, students are introduced to technical drawing, jewellery illustration, maquette making and relief creation, among other skills, and are also taught how to research a design brief. Training in computer-aided design (CAD) includes an introduction to programmes such as Rhino 3D and Adobe Suite to create 2D images, as well as lessons providing a basic understanding of computer-aided manufacturing in the jewellery industry.
Alongside this practical training, students receive an introduction to jewellery studies, providing students with fundamental information about the jewellery industry, its history and culture.
All of the Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing classes are taught in small groups, meaning that every student gets the attention and guidance they need.
Jewellery manufacturing
Jewellery manufacturing
2D design
2D design
2D computer-aided design
2D computer-aided design
Professional studies
Professional studies
Read details
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See students’ work
Student Work
The Results
You will come away from the course with your own technical and design portfolios and an accredited qualification, equipping you for continued jewellery studies on a range of diploma or degree programmes.
The course therefore serves as the ideal preparatory year for Level 4 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing, on which you will become an imaginative and versatile designer-maker able to respond, adapt and lead in the dynamic and fast-changing jewellery industry.
Upon completion of the L3 Diploma course, you will receive an SQA Level 3 qualification in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing.
Entry Requirements
No prior knowledge or skills in jewellery making are necessary to enrol in this course. However, possessing some previous experience or knowledge in jewellery could be advantageous.
This course is ideally suited for individuals who do not have a qualification in jewellery at Level 3 or higher.
Participants are required to reside in England for the duration of the course.
Fees and funding
The course can be privately funded, co-funded, or funded through Advanced Learner Loan. Full bursaries may be available for 16-18 years based in London, subject to availability and eligibility. Funding may also be available for learners ages 19 and up via the Advanced Learner Loan.
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£6,421 for learners eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan. -
£6,921 for learners not eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan, this includes international students who already have sponsorship.
To find out if you are eligible, please contact our recruitment team.
“It’s brilliant. I can’t wait to get on to [BAJ’s diploma programme] and I can’t wait to see where it’s going to take me. I thought I would join BAJ with the intend of honing in on a specific skill but now I’m open to literally anything to do with jewellery. It’s completely opened up something that I was already passionate about. The atmosphere at BAJ is incredibly supportive. I did four years of university before coming to BAJ and in these six or seven months, I’ve felt more supported within the college than I have anywhere else. It’s been incredible. “
– Author
Entry Requirements
No prior knowledge or skills in jewellery making are necessary to enrol in this course. However, possessing some previous experience or knowledge in jewellery could be advantageous.
This course is ideally suited for individuals who do not have a qualification in jewellery at Level 3 or higher.
Participants are required to reside in England for the duration of the course.
Fees and funding
The course can be privately funded, co-funded, or funded through Advanced Learner Loan. Full bursaries may be available for 16-18 years based in London, subject to availability and eligibility. Funding may also be available for learners ages 19 and up via the Advanced Learner Loan.
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£6,421 for learners eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan. -
£6,921 for learners not eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan, this includes international students who already have sponsorship.
To find out if you are eligible, please contact our recruitment team.
Case Study
“I earned a first-class BA in Fashion Promotion & Communication at UoN, then joined my family’s jewellery business. After 4 years in retail, I was eager to learn the creation process.
BAJ’s Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing gave me creative freedom, industry insight, and valuable connections. I’m now working as a jobbing jeweller, repairing pieces, and gaining experience. BAJ built my confidence.”
– Sophie Henderson
Careers and Progression
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Level 4 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing
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BA (Hons) in Jewellery Design & Production
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Direct entry into jewellery industry roles such as jewellery designer, jobbing jeweller, goldsmith, or silversmith. -
Ideal for those wishing to start their own business, with skills in critical thinking, presentation, and marketing.
Alumni Impact
Susannah King, a fourth-generation goldsmith, recently showcased her work at London Fashion Week and opened a flagship store in Kensington.
Learn more about Susannah King
Tabi DSGN, whose designs have been worn by Lola Young on Jimmy Fallon.
Learn more about Tabitha Sullivan
Cece Jewellery, founded by Cece Fein-Hughes, made it onto Forbes 30 under 30 2023 and created stunning pieces worn by Taylor Swift, ordered by Gigi Hadid.
Learn more about Cece Fein-Hughes
Genevieve Schwartz, named NAJ’s Designer of the Year 2024, is pushing boundaries with her creative designs. Pieces recently worn by Katherine Ryan and Emily Dean on the BBC One Show.
Learn more about Genevieve Schwartz
BAJ alumna Selina (Mingjie) Yang, originally from China, was awarded the prestigious UK Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise) in Fashion Design. This means she can continue building her jewellery career in London – a dream seven years in the making.
Learn more about Selina (Mingjie) Yang
Becoming a jewellery designer was always on the cards for Yvonne. She has always been what people would call creative, and she loves to make things that are unique to her – just another way to show people who she is without having to say a word.
Learn more about Yvonne Oshodi
Susannah King, a fourth-generation goldsmith, recently showcased her work at London Fashion Week and opened a flagship store in Kensington.
Learn more about Susannah King
Tabi DSGN, whose designs have been worn by Lola Young on Jimmy Fallon.
Learn more about Tabitha Sullivan
Cece Jewellery, founded by Cece Fein-Hughes, made it onto Forbes 30 under 30 2023 and created stunning pieces worn by Taylor Swift, ordered by Gigi Hadid.
Learn more about Cece Fein-Hughes
Genevieve Schwartz, named NAJ’s Designer of the Year 2024, is pushing boundaries with her creative designs. Pieces recently worn by Katherine Ryan and Emily Dean on the BBC One Show.
Learn more about Genevieve Schwartz
BAJ alumna Selina (Mingjie) Yang, originally from China, was awarded the prestigious UK Global Talent Visa (Exceptional Promise) in Fashion Design. This means she can continue building her jewellery career in London – a dream seven years in the making.
Learn more about Selina (Mingjie) Yang
Becoming a jewellery designer was always on the cards for Yvonne. She has always been what people would call creative, and she loves to make things that are unique to her – just another way to show people who she is without having to say a word.
Learn more about Yvonne Oshodi
Where You Can Study
Discover our campuses
BAJ Camden
81-84 Chalk Farm Rd,
London NW1 8AR
BAJ Camden
81-84 Chalk Farm Rd,
London NW1 8AR
More about BAJ Camden
BAJ Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter
The Assay Office, 1 Morton St,
Birmingham B1 3AX
BAJ Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter
The Assay Office, 1 Morton St,
Birmingham B1 3AX
More about BAJ Birmingham
Application Process
Thank you for expressing interest in our programme!
Our application process is designed to be as simple and straightforward as possible.
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News About This Course
Keep up to date with the latest.
In line with the Customer Act, we reserve the right to close a course
– if there are insufficient student numbers to make the course financially viable.
