What are the benefits of learning jewellery making online?

You can watch me answer this question

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzFACNelG1M

What is the minimum amount of time I should spend each week on my Diploma training?

We recommend 6-7 hours per week.

If you can set aside the same day every week and get into a routine that will help you achieve this Diploma qualification. We release the content for the week and then you can decide when you watch it and work on your pieces. At our studios in Hatton Garden we had students that were working full time take the weekend option of this course successfully and you can too!

Is there a way to see what a lesson looks like before committing to the full course ?

Take a look at this free course to give you an idea of what the weekly courses are like https://learn.jewellersacademy.com/p/silver-jewellery-making-for-absolute-beginners-free-course

What experience do I need to do the Diploma in Fine Jewellery?

This Diploma course is designed as the perfect follow on from the Diploma in Silver Jewellery from Jewellers Academy. If you already have experience of jewellery making you may go straight onto this course. Here is a list of techniques that you need to either be proficient at or have tried to be able to succeed on this course:

• Have a very good understanding of the silver jewellery workshop, tools, materials, use of pickle etc.

• Be proficient at stone setting including tube, claw, bezel and flush/gypsy settings

• Proficient at soldering multiple joins onto one piece

• Have made at least one collet setting - (If you haven't done this you could take a look at our online collet setting course) https://learn.jewellersacademy.com/p/stone-setting-collet-setting-channel-setting-course-bundle

• Have done some basic wax carving. We have some free courses that you can try before the course starts in September. Here are the links https://learn.jewellersacademy.com/p/make-a-wax-carved-ring https://jewelleryschoolonline.teachable.com/p/wax-signet-ring/

• Have worked with gold

If you have any questions about this do please get in touch contact@jewellersacademy.com

What do I need to make for assessment on the diploma?

You can watch me answer this question here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zslWFXTqXU

What happens if I have holiday/business trip booked during the term time?

The course is split into terms that follow the same pattern as the school terms (in the UK). If, however, you are away on holiday/for work etc each term is flexible and you can plan your time to catch up on pieces when you are back. There is also workbench time scheduled into the course to allow you to catch up or finish off any projects. There is an additional two weeks at the end of terms 1 and 2 and an additional 4 weeks at the end of term 3 which is built into the course for this reason. (There are 4 weeks after term 3 as you have an additional final project to complete).

Additionally, you can watch me answer this question here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUCXbZ6Hi04&feature=youtu.be

What is the marking process for the Diploma?

Three times during the year you will send your work to London, UK for assessment. You will pay for postage and any customs charges accrued for sending your work to us. We will cover the post of postage and any customs charges for returning the work to you.

You can watch me talk more about the marking process here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXW1ethMZIs&feature=youtu.be

Is all the course material released at the start of the course, or is it released as you go along?

The course content is released weekly during term time, each Monday you will receive an email with a summary of the material and the content will be available on the course portal for you. You get lifetime access so once each week is published you will have ongoing access.

How can I stay accountable and motivated on an online course?

The structured style of the Diploma will help you with this. Each week has a set project to complete and these need to be finished ready to submit for marking at the end of each term. You will be investing money in your own development which can also help focus your mind. We would recommend scheduling time for your learning each week, for example Monday is jewellery day and nothing can interrupt that (in a perfect world!). Having this time scheduled can give you a structure as if you were attending an in-person class. You will also receive weekly emails regarding the course content to keep you on track.

There are assessment deadlines each term that will also help keep you on track. The assessment deadlines are non-negotiable and you will be required to post your work to us each term by a certain date and send us a copy/photo of your recorded delivery receipt as proof of sending. If you do not meet the assessment deadlines (even one of them) the highest you can be assessed at is a pass level even if your work is of a higher standard. Think of it like not turning up for your university exams. Holding you to these assessment deadlines helps keep you motivated and prepared for when you are running your own business or working for another jeweller.

What support do I get as a student on the Diploma?

You get:

1-2-1 mentoring sessions over live video at a time that works for you

Fortnightly LIVE Zoom sessions with a course mentor in a small group to get the support you need

Exclusive access to the Diploma in Fine Jewellery student Facebook Group to share your weekly progress, ask questions and get feedback

When does payment start if I sign up for a payment plan?

If you choose a payment plan it starts immediately and the payment goes out on the same date each month so if you sign up on the 8th of the month, the payments will go out on the 8th of each month until the plan is complete and the course is paid in full. If you prefer your payment to go out on a certain date e.g. on 1st of the month we suggest signing up on that date as unfortunately we aren’t able to change the date.

When does enrolment close?

We expect to close for enrolment around June. Materials kits are limited and are available on a first come first served basis so we recommend early booking

Is this course eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan?

As we are a private educational institution unfortunately our courses aren’t eligible for the Advanced Learner Loan.

We do offer payment plans to help you spread the cost.

I'm not in the UK, how do the payments work with the exchange rate?

The monthly payments will fluctuate slightly with exchange rate fluctuations and can go down as well as up. If you want to start a monthly payment programme and then pay off in full when the exchange rate is in your favour you can do this by getting in touch with us contact@jewellersacademy.com

Is the Diploma externally accredited?

This course is accredited by the Jewellers Academy. It is not associated with any other awarding body and there is a reason for that. We did look at different courses and mapping the content to national criteria but found that they were all very administration heavy, there were lots of written essays and work to do that we felt had nothing to do with being a successful jeweller. This course is all about helping you learn the skills you need to make and sell jewellery or to become a bench jeweller. We don’t care if you can write essays or not! And neither will your customers!

What level Diploma is it that is awarded if I am successful?

To pass this course and be awarded with the diploma certification you need to achieve 60% or above. You also must submit your final project and receive at least 60% for it. To calculate your percentage, we add up all of your marks at the end of the year and calculate your percentage. Students are given a full transcript of their marks. The hard copy diploma certification is stated as ‘assessed and passed’ for the diploma they are awarded.

What work do graduates of the Diploma go on to do?

When they finish the course the majority of jewellers start their own jewellery business or they work as a bench jeweller for another business. By successfully completing this course you will have the skills to do both. If you would like to work as a bench jeweller, you will have a full portfolio of pieces and skills that you can show to potential employers. We are also happy to act as a reference for any jewellery job, funding application etc.