Jewellery HNC

Course code 127W

What is special about this course?

Immerse yourself in the supportive environment of a creative community as you carefully hone your design and jewellery-making skills.

With the beautiful Outer Hebrides as your backdrop, learn techniques such as construction, casting, and stone setting, and elevate your skills to industry standard. Set your imagination loose on practical projects, and produce considered, informed pieces that showcase your quality craftsmanship.

Special features

  • The number of places on the course are limited to keep class sizes small, this ensures you receive quality training with lots of one-to-one support throughout each stage of the process.
  • You will have your own workbench during your studies, with access to all the necessary tools and equipment.

Accommodation

We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.

Entry requirements

  • A National Certificate qualification or appropriate collection of National Certificate Units in Jewellery or equivalent qualification at SCQF level 5 or 6.
  • We will also consider applicants who have had some experience of jewellery making or evidence of experience or qualifications in a related area of Art and Design.

Year 1 - HNC

Modules will include:

  • Jewellery: manufacturing techniques
  • Jewellery: design and manufacture
  • Jewellery: rub-over setting techniques
  • Jewellery: lost wax casting: an introduction
  • Jewellery: graded unit 1
  • Silversmithing: an introduction
  • Jewellery: claw setting techniques
  • CAD: 3D modelling

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • The course is workshop based where you will work on practical exercises, design briefs and projects and presentations.
  • Brass will be provided for the set practical exercises. This will give you a chance to practice on non-precious metal without making costly mistakes. At HNC level students are strongly encouraged to start working with silver (or other precious metals) when working on their individual design projects. We do not supply bullion.

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 1 year

Where can I study my course?

  • North, West and Hebrides - Stornoway campus

Start date

  • September

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2024-25 2025-26
Full-time per year £1,285 £1,285

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2024-25 2025-26
Full-time per year £7,110 £7,440

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) 2024-25 2025-26
Full-time per year £8,775 £8,925

 

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

Additional costs

We do not supply bullion - you will need to obtain this at extra cost in order to use it in your projects.

What can I do on completion of my course?

The HNC will provide you with skills and training for a career within the industry or put you on the path to self-employment as a manufacturing jeweller/designer.
 

Can I progress into further study?

On successful completion of the HNC, you may wish to consider progressing to the HND or the first or second year of a degree programme at a number of colleges and universities throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK.
 

Is there more information available online?

QR Code - scan to visit course page

You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

Apply for Jewellery HNC

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2025

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.