Jewellery Foundation Programme 2025/26: Application Guidelines and FAQs
Overview
Accredited by the Goldsmiths’ Centre, the Jewellery Foundation Programme prepares entrylevel candidates aged 18 and over - whether they have recently completed their A-levels or T-levels, or are eager to start their journeys - who are passionate about jewellery-making and aspire to build a future in the industry
The training programme is a five day a week, full time course and is free to attend. If your household receives government benefits*, or if your household income is £60,000 or lower, you may be eligible to financial assistance through a Jewellery Foundation Programme Support Grant. The grants help cover expenses during your participation in the course, such as travel or other living costs. Please indicate this at the relevant section of the application form.
We look forward to receiving your application by 5pm on Sunday 4 May 2025. If you need any additional information or advice prior to submitting your application or you need the form in a different format, please contact our team to discuss how best we can support you.
Call our team on +44 (0)207 566 7650 or email applications@goldsmiths-centre.org
1. Who can apply?
You can apply for the Jewellery Foundation Programme if you meet these eligibility criteria:
• You are aged 18 and over and have recently completed your A-levels or T-levels, or are an entry-level candidate eager to begin your journey in the jewellery industry.
• You live in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or are able to relocate to London or the Southeast for the duration of the course. We’re unable to offer student visas to non-UK citizens as we’re not a licensed student sponsor.
• You can attend the Goldsmiths’ Centre Monday to Friday, up to 7 hours a day, for 10 months and some evenings.
• You have GSCE Grades 9-4 or above in Mathematics and English. Applications with non-standard qualifications are invited. Applicants must demonstrate their skills and potential through a portfolio, including sketchbooks or 2D/3D work.
2. How do I apply?
This section details how to apply and the supporting documents you will need to submit with your application form.
Step 1: Read these Guidelines and our Course Guide or come to one of our in person Open Days and ensure that you are eligible for the Jewellery Foundation Programme For further information, please visit www.goldsmiths-centre.org/jewellery-foundation-programme
Step 2: You can apply for the Jewellery Foundation Programme either via:
a. our online application form, hosted online via SurveyMonkey, which can be accessed via any standard web browser on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. This will need to be completed in one session, which is estimated to take up to 45 minutes.
b. a video captured on your camera phone or computer and submitted via a file hosting service (such as a hidden Vimeo or YouTube link, Google Drive, Dropbox or WeTransfer) to applications@goldsmiths-centre.org - see our FAQs for a step by step guide on how to best capture your submission.
Step 3: Gather all your supporting materials and draft responses for your online or video recorded application in advance.
Please note that once you start your application via Survey Monkey, you will need to complete it in one session. You will not be able to start the application and go back to it later. For this reason, we outline what questions you will need to answer and what information you will need to provide for your application in this step
Supporting documentation: Please ensure that you label all uploaded supporting documentation with your name. Please note that each file cannot be larger than 16MB. Before starting your application, you will need to prepare and gather the following supporting information:
• A recent passport sized photo, this may be a passport photo or a selfie
• Your up-to-date CV.
• A portfolio of your work.
• A draft of your personal statement.
You will need to upload your supporting documentation and complete all sections of the online application form as follows:
Question 1: Title (Mr, Miss, Ms or Mx)
Question 2: First name
Question 3: Last name
Question 4: Home Address
Question 5: Email address
Question 6: Home telephone number
Please provide your parent or guardian’s telephone number if you are under 18 at the time of applying
Question 7: Mobile number
Question 8: Please state all qualifications for GCSE and above. For qualifications still in progress, please enter your predicted grades.
Question 9: Should you not have any formal qualifications, please detail any training you have that may support your application.
Question 10: If you have any additional requirements to attend an interview at The Goldsmiths’ Centre, please enter these here.
Question 11: Personal statement
Discover top tips on how to write a personal statement by visiting www.goldsmithscentre.org/jewellery-foundation-programme
Your personal statement should explain why you wish to study on the Goldsmiths’ Centre Foundation Programme under the following headings:
• Introduction to yourself
• Areas of study (which part of your study has led you to your application; any short courses you have attended; your use of materials
• Experience (Including work experience, volunteering etc.)
• Extra-curricular/hobbies
• Long-term ambitions (including progression aims)
Question 12: How did you hear about the Jewellery Foundation Programme?
Question 13: Do you require further information on the Goldsmiths’ Centre’s Jewellery Foundation Programme Support Grants?
Question 14: Please upload a recent passport sized photo here (file must be less than 16MB).
Question 15: Please upload your portfolio here (file must be less than 16MB) Discover our top tips on how to put together your portfolio by visiting http://www.goldsmithscentre.org/jewellery-foundation-programme
Question 16: Please upload your CV here (file must be less than 16MB).
Question 17: Are you able to attend either or both of the assessment days on 3 and 4 June 2025 at The Goldsmiths’ Centre (EC1M 5AD, London)?
Question 18: Please tick this box if you have had assistance completing this application form.
Question 19: Signature and date
Question 20: Signature of parent or guardian if under 18 years at time of application. Please note that you must be over 18 years of age on 8 September 2025.
Applications should be submitted via SurveyMonkey via a link which will be available on our website. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
Step 4: Once your application has been received you will receive an email with a link to complete our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Survey via SurveyMonkey, which will come from applications@goldsmiths-centre.org. This survey is anonymous but requires completion before your application is considered.
This will help support The Goldsmiths’ Centre’s EDI strategy - see www.goldsmithscentre.org/about-us. The EDI survey will be sent to you within 7 days of receiving your application form, please check your Junk Mail and notify us if you have not received this.
Step 5: Once your EDI survey has been received, we will look at your application
If shortlisted, you will be required to attend a one-day assessment, which will take place at The Goldsmiths’ Centre* (42 Britton Street, London EC1M 5AD) on Tuesday 3 or Wednesday 4 June 2025 from 10am until 4.30pm.
You will be asked to participate in technical and creative skills exercises and will have the opportunity to introduce yourself to some of our tutors. This is so we can evaluate your problem-solving skills and artistic ability whilst also allowing you to demonstrate your accuracy and willingness to learn. When you submit your application, please let us know which of the two dates is more convenient for you and we will do our best to honour your request.
FAQs
Is it possible to apply in other ways than the written application form?
Yes, you can submit a simple video captured on your camera phone or computer by following the steps below:
Step 1: Decide the format: Before you start filming, familiarise yourself with the questions in the application form and how you can best present your case through video.
Step 2: Write your script: Start by introducing yourself and then film a response to each question / section of the application form citing the number of each section in the application. Make sure your film is no longer than 30 minutes in total.
Step 3: Rehearse: It’s important to know what you’re going to say in your video, so write a short script and rehearse what you are going to say beforehand until you’re completely comfortable. You may want to enlist the help of a friend or family member. Make sure to speak clearly and slowly and let your personality shine through.
Step 4: Shoot your video: You don't need to buy or hire expensive equipment to create your video. You can simply use the camera on your smartphone (although you will need a tripod, something to prop your phone onto or a friend to film you) or a computer.
Set aside a few hours so there’s no time pressure – you’ll want to do as many takes as necessary to get it right. You should always film in a well-lit, indoor location with as little background noise as possible. Don’t film against a window; rather use it as natural side lighting. Do some test runs first to make sure the lighting is bright enough and the audio is
clear on speakers and headphones – it can also be invaluable to have a friend record with you to get an alternative perspective.
Step 5: Submit your video application: Once you've saved your video in a common format such as MOV, MP4 or AVI, you can share your file via WeTransfer, Google drive or Dropbox. You can also upload your video as a hidden video on YouTube or Vimeo and provide us with the link to applications@goldsmiths-centre.org