Blacksmith

You can do a foundation degree or degree course that covers metalworking, such as:

• artist blacksmithing
• craft practices
• design and craft
• art and design

You'll usually need a portfolio of your work and creative ideas to show at university interviews.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• a foundation diploma in art and design

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

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/

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills needed in this job. This could help when looking for a trainee position with a blacksmith.

Courses include:

• blacksmithing and metalworking
• fabrication and welding
• art and design
• T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

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
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You may be able to apply for an apprenticeship, for example:

• Welder Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Blacksmith Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Plate or Pipe Welder Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

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

You could work as an assistant to an experienced blacksmith and learn the craft on the job. You might find it useful if you have experience in metalwork and technical drawing.

You may be able to use industrial welding experience to find a trainee blacksmith job with a specialist metalwork company.

You could do a short introductory course in blacksmithing. This will help you decide if it's a career that would suit you. The British Artist Blacksmiths Association has details of training organisations.

Career Tips

You need to show examples of your work and decorative ideas to get onto courses, and when contacting blacksmiths about trainee positions.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the British Artist Blacksmiths Association or The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for professional development and to make industry contacts.

Further Information

You can get more details about working as an artist blacksmith from the British Artist Blacksmiths Association and the Crafts Council .

As a blacksmith, you could:

• discuss design ideas for products with customers
• create plans by hand or using computer aided design
• heat metals to the right temperature in a forge or furnace
• shape metals with hand tools like hammers, punches and anvils
• use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses
• create moulds for casting
• join metal pieces together using riveting and welding methods
• apply finishes

You could work in a factory, in a workshop or in a foundry workshop.

Your working environment may be physically demanding, hot and noisy.

You may need to wear protective clothing.