Furniture Design and Making - Level 3

Explore contemporary furniture design and practical craftsmanship with a view to progressing to related university-level courses or employment in this creative industry.

Course Overview

You will be designing and making your own furniture using modern design principles and techniques which are taught alongside traditional approaches. The design element will become more of a focus with greater thought and attention to producing highly unique and innovative pieces of furniture. Technical and presentation drawing skills are refined to better promote your ideas and you will explore modern manufacturing practices such as estimating and developing a business. Your studies will also include visits to local furniture-making workshops, museums and specialist exhibitions.

This course includes the development of theoretical knowledge, but the main emphasis is on learning by doing. Tutors who are experts in their craft, combined with purpose-built workshops, have led to overwhelmingly high success rates in recent years. On successful completion of the course, students will be in a strong position to either enter the industry or continue to develop their skills at university.

Qualification: City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Furniture Design & Making

Duration: One year 

Course Content

You will cover a diverse range of topics throughout your course. A selection of unit titles is shown below.

• Hand-finishing Techniques
• Decorative Veneering
• Prototype Design in Furniture Making

Assessment 

Assessment is continuous, with practical projects and portfolio building. All full-time students will be required to study maths and English at the appropriate level.

Maths and English

All students following a full-time programme of study at HLC will study English and maths as part of their studies, please refer to the Study Programmes page of this website.

Entry Requirements

• Successful completion of a suitable and relevant Level 2 qualification (e.g. Level 2 Diploma in Furniture Making)
• Alternatively, applicants who can evidence suitable experience and aptitude will also be considered
• Successful interview and initial assessment, including diagnostic tests and a good school reference
• You will need to demonstrate an enthusiasm for this subject area

Progression

Progression routes shown are dependent on qualifications/entry criteria.

Study options may include:

• Many students have gone on to degree courses in various specialist areas within Furniture Design
• Level 3 Apprenticeship in Furniture Making
• Carpentry - Level 2

Employment options may include:

• Kitchen Designers & Makers
• Shop Fitters/Joiners/Cabinet Makers
• Furniture Production Manager
• Antique Furniture Restorers
• Production Management
• Fine Furniture Design and Manufacture
• Restoration and Conservation

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Course Costs

Students aged 16 to 18: There are no tuition or examination fees.

Students aged 19 to 23: Who are studying for their first full Level 3 qualification will be not be charged any tuition fees, but will be charged the materials fee only.

Students aged 19 to 23: Who already hold a full Level 3 qualification and all students who are 24 or over will be liable for the full cost of the course, based on the current student loan applicable for the qualification.  Please contact our Finance department to be advised of the fee / loan due.

Additional Course Costs: £225

Personal Equipment: You may also be expected to buy your own personal equipment such as personal protective clothing, stationary and data storage devices.

Please Note: Costs are subject to change, please call Enquiries on 0800 032 1986 to check.

See Also: Fees Guidance - Full Time and Fee Reductions for Adults

Apprenticeships

We also offer the following apprenticeships as an alternative to full-time study:

• Furniture Maker, Level 3

Course Content

You will gain practical skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to your chosen apprenticeship and job role in the workplace, including:

• Health and Safety
• Furniture making drawings, specifications, scales, technical terms related to furniture making, for example terms such as bunching, beading, chamfer, marquetry and sauvage
• Furniture manufacturing/production methods for example cutting, bending, molding, laminating and assembly
• Create joints and attach fixtures and fittings to meet furniture making specifications
• Create complex jigs and templates to meet furniture making specifications
• Repair any defects identified for example blooming, moisture, temperature, blotching, runs, streaks, curing, and silicones
• Apply appropriate finishes including by hand and by spray gun

Duration and Attendance

You will spend most of your time in the workplace, employed as an apprentice, and you will be released by your employer to attend college for training one or two days a week. It will take around 2 years to complete the Level 3 apprenticeship.

Contact

Telephone: 0800 032 1986
Email: admissions@hlcollege.ac.uk