Blacksmith

You can do a degree course in artist blacksmithing at university.

You'll need a portfolio of your work and creative ideas for course 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
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

You could take an introductory college course in working with metal before looking for a trainee position with a blacksmith.

You could also take a Level 2 in Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalworking though this is only available in a small number of places.

There is a Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding, which may lead you into industrial blacksmith work.

A course in general metalwork or art and design may also give you an advantage when looking for a job.

Entry requirements

You may 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You can get into industrial blacksmithing through an engineering or welding intermediate or advanced apprenticeship.

You may be able to use this to find a trainee job with a specialist metalwork company.

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
• guide to apprenticeships

You could work as an assistant to an experienced blacksmith and learn the craft on the job. Experience in metalwork and technical drawing can be useful for this career.

You'll find it useful to do a short course in blacksmithing. This will help you decide if it's a suitable career and may be useful if you plan to look for a training position. The British Artist Blacksmiths Association has details of training organisations.

Career tips

You'll need to show examples of your work and decorative ideas to get onto a design-related course or if contacting blacksmiths about trainee positions.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the British Artist Blacksmiths Association and 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.

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

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• design skills and knowledge
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be flexible and open to change
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

For each job, you'll:

• sketch out new design plans or follow customer instructions
• 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
• join metal parts 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.