BA Jewellery and Silversmithing
About this course
BA (Hons) in Jewellery and Silversmithing, a Horology degree focused on practical design methods, traditional techniques, and contemporary studio practice. The curriculum incorporates collaborative briefs and live industry engagement with organisations such as Cubitts, Michael Kors, and The Scottish Goldsmiths’ Trust. The first year introduces foundational observational practices through location drawing, curator talks, and collection handling sessions. The second year progresses into technical studio work covering working with metals (precious and base), soldering, silversmithing, casting, wax/plaster carving, stone setting, raising, etching, and recycling precious metals among others. The third year shifts toward industrial production methods including waterjet cutting, acid etching, and powder coating, alongside studies of the wider industry, manufacturer communication, and brand values. The final year concentrates on commercial readiness through costing and pricing, branding and identity, photography and editing, and business and marketing.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB (required: no specific A level subjects required) IB: 34 points with 655 at HL
See the highest paying Art, Design, Music & Drama degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 29%: 15 offers from 51 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 98%
- Learning opportunities: 78%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 90%
- Organisation and management: 65%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 67%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 25%
What graduates do next
Based on about 58 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 83%
- Working and studying: 3%
- Further study: 4%
- Unemployed: 3%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 22%
- Sales occupations: 8%
- Teaching Professionals: 6%
- Elementary occupations: 6%
- Skilled trades occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 255 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 4%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 21%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 2%
- Scotland: 49%
- Northern Ireland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 85%
- Other HE qualification: 10%
- No formal qualifications: 10%
Modules
- location drawing
- curator talks
- collection handling sessions
- working with metals (precious and base)
- soldering
- silversmithing
- casting
- wax/plaster carving
- stone setting
- raising
- etching
- recycling precious metals among others
- location drawing
- curator talks
- collection handling sessions
- Cubitts
- Michael Kors
- Friends of Scottish Rugby
- casting
- waterjet cutting
- acid etching
- powder coating
- the wider industry
- how to communicate with manufacturers
- how to develop work using brand values
- costing and pricing
- branding and identity
- photography and editing
- business and marketing
- The Scottish Goldsmiths’ Trust
- The Goldsmiths’ Centre, London
- The Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh
- Fife Contemporary
- Hamilton and Inches
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Jewellery and Silversmithing at University of Edinburgh earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £21,000 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,500 and £34,500. The £26,500 median after five years is £3,000 more than the UK median for Creative arts and design (other).
What do graduates of BA Jewellery and Silversmithing at University of Edinburgh do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Jewellery and Silversmithing at University of Edinburgh?
98% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Jewellery and Silversmithing at University of Edinburgh?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 34 points in the IB. The average entrant had 162 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Jewellery and Silversmithing at University of Edinburgh?
29% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 15 offers from 51 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Jewellery and Silversmithing at University of Edinburgh include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Jewellery and Silversmithing at University of Edinburgh?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 25% left higher education.