Arts & crafts

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

University

Most craft glassmakers have a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• art and design
• fine art
• ceramics and glass
• architectural crafts

You'll need a portfolio of work to show when applying for courses.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

Some colleges run short creative craft courses in glass, which may be useful for picking up glassmaking skills and techniques.

There are also glass manufacturing courses, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get into glass making in industry. These include:

• Level 2 Certificate or Level 3 Diploma in Glass Processing
• Level 2 or Level 3 Certificate in Glass Related Operations

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could specialise in stained glass making through a stained glass craftsperson higher apprenticeship.

This would typically take 36 months to complete as a mix of workplace learning and off-the-job study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

More information

Career tips

Art and design subjects as well as science and technology are helpful if you want to work in glass craftwork as you'll need both technical skills and artistic ability.

For industrial or scientific glass manufacture, science and technology subjects would be most useful.

Further information

You can find out more about a career as a glassmaker from the Crafts Council.

You can find out more about creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

View all vacancies in this region

You could set up your own business with your own creative studio or work alongside other artists as part of a creative community.

With experience and further qualifications you could teach students and apprentices in colleges or universities.