Birmingham's School of Jewellery shines as the city becomes a World Craft City

Every great jewellery district needs a place to train the next generation, and for more than 130 years the Jewellery Quarter has had one of the best. The School of Jewellery on Vittoria Street is part of Birmingham City University, and in 2025 it played a starring role in a proud moment for the city.

In June 2025 Birmingham was granted World Craft City status by the World Crafts Council, joining only eight other cities in Europe with the title. The bid was led by the Jewellery Quarter Development Trust and Birmingham City University. During a three-day visit the international judges toured the school, took part in a silversmithing workshop and saw the work of current students.

World Crafts Council president Saad Al-Qaddumi said the title celebrated the city's "rich heritage, skilled artisans, creative designers, proud makers, and innovative contributions to the jewellery industry."

The school has a remarkable history. It was established in 1890 as a branch of the School of Art, in a former goldsmith's factory built in 1865 and converted for the purpose. A top storey was added in 1906 and an extension in 1911. A later extension and a full-height atrium, completed in 1992 and 1993, won a RIBA Architecture Award and a Civic Trust Award.

Today the university says it is the only institution covering jewellery, horology and gemmology in one place, and in 2019 it received a Queen's Anniversary Prize recognising the school's long history of innovation. Students have worked with companies and events including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Rolex.

Its graduates often stay close by. Silversmith Andrew MacGowan started at the school aged 16 in 1976 and has worked in the Quarter ever since. "I've seen so many changes in the Jewellery Quarter, but it's still a family, it's still a community and long may that continue," he said.

The setting helps. An estimated 40 per cent of British jewellery is made in the Jewellery Quarter, which is home to around 700 jewellery-related businesses, so students learn their craft surrounded by the industry they will join.

Course information, open days and details of the school's work with industry are on the Birmingham City University website.