City and Guilds Course in Jewellery

Hello,

I am registered on this course and slightly nervous but very excited. Has anyone done it and can you give me some tips?

I've found a course overview online from 2009 and the projects it lists that have to be made sound ok (bezel set ring, brooch, pendant of mixed materials with handmade clasp and chain) as I have made all of those already. Does the course change a lot? When did you take yours? How difficult was the design unit in terms of extra hours and work? So many questions...

Thanks in advance,

Bob

Bob, I did the design unit many years ago so I'm not sure if its changed. At that time the design unit was relevant to all crafts and was called Creating Working Designs. It was very intensive, sometimes seemed a bit stupid, but was well worth it. In my opinion, C&G courses are well worth the time and money spent (although I've never done a jewellery one, I did creative needlecraft)

Bob,
I have enrolled for one as well for September, where are you doing yours? Which level is it at and is it a one year or two year course?

I have done quite a few City and Guilds courses over the years, and have found that they change the syllabus regularly, at least every couple of years, they change something, tweeking the course, changing the certificate numbers frequently, and so on. The general content usually stays similar although they change the wording a lot. Not sure what the reasoning is, but when you quote City and Guilds on a CV most people looking at it haven't got a clue what level its at because of the number changes.

Louise

I'm doing it at Bath college, where I have been studying on and off (on their "part time" course) for the past 5 years. I'm not sure what level it is, though - it's the first year of the two year course that they offer. I guess I will know more in September! It's not the diploma course, I know that much at least.

Where is your course, Louise?

I've done several C&G creative studies courses over the years. First was knitting ,(I'm going to blow my own trumpet and tell you i was awarded a bronze medal presented by Prince Philip at Buck house no less), then china painting to diploma level.
You are right about the courses changing but basically staying the same. The creative studies courses are set up with a design element which is non craft specific and a craft element in your chosen field. If I decided I wanted to do a jewellery course I wouldn't have to re do the design part of the course as it's meant to set you up for any craft. I would say the design part of the course is at least half of the course, i really enjoyed it and became hooked on designing.
One thing I'm a bit dissapointed about C&G diploma is it doesn't carry points towards a degree unlike other diplomas, or it didn't when i enquired about it.
have fun
Jill

Bob - I am doing mine at South Notts college, Clifton, Nottingham. They are running it differently from september due to financial changes in funding, although a one year course, it is being run in 3 x 10 week blocks and if you decide it isnt for you, then you dont lose a year's fees. Also it does mean that you don't have to take the C&G certificate if you don't want it at the end of it.

Jill - Although it doesnt carry the credits for the university, I got in on the strength of the C&G Diploma in Lacemaking, for BA (Hons) textile design which I completed last year. They recognise that as a mature student you don't always have 'credits' from formal qualifications that they expect from school leavers, and so ask for different evidence for more mature students, so C&G is still worth it, if you are considering applying for university, as many universities accept this along with a good portfolio and interview as evidence for suitability. I do wish they would allow the certificate syllabus longer to exist instead of tampering so much with them. When I did the last one 6 years ago, you had to re-do the design element for each specialism, but previously they had allowed credits for that, have they changed back to that system now?
Congratulations on the Bronze medal...
Louise

I'm doing a C&G teaching course at the moment which I'm absolutely loving. Nothing to do with jewellery design though, sorry.