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City & Guilds Qualifications

             

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What is City & Guilds ? 

City & Guilds (C&G) is one of the oldest vocational education organisations in the UK and the only body to offer internationally recognised qualifications in Craft Bookbinding.

For over a century apprentice bookbinders undertook training based on a City & Guilds curriculum.  Over the 20th century the syllabus had to adjust to industry changes and the demise of formal apprenticeships, but in 2012 Shepherds was instrumental in revising the qualifications to meet modern requirements.

Why are City & Guilds qualifications important ?

City & Guilds qualifications are internationally recognised as a set of standards in craft bookbinding.  It is not a requirement for students to register for the City & Guilds qualifications when attending a course but those who do have the opportunity and satisfaction of achieving an  independently assessed level of competence. 

For Art and Design students, a City & Guilds qualification is a worthwhile addition to a CV.   

What courses do we offer ?

Shepherds offer C&G Levels 1 - 3 qualifications.  The Level 3 Diploma embraces a wide range of binding techniques at the highest level.  See details below:

LEVEL 1 - Award in Bookbinding (Units 118 & 119)

Level 1 is designed for complete beginners: Unit 118 teaches the basic principles of bookbinding with a thorough grounding in the use of materials and basic hand-tools. In this course the student will learn to sew books by hand and case bind them in traditional styles using cloths and papers.

In Unit 119 the student learns how to design and make two types of photograph album, one with folded guards and the other a Victorian style with stiff boards; a slipcase is made to house one of the albums, introducing the student to box-making. 

LEVEL 2 - Certificate in Bookbinding
(Units 220 & 221)

 The second level continues to develop hand-skills, adding more complex techniques to the learning programme. It is suitable for those with some previous experience of bookbinding.

Unit 220 introduces leather as a binding material and how to pare it.  Instruction on keeping tools sharp is included and the student will learn how to make a book with a quarter leather case binding.

Unit 221 is all about alternative historical and contemporary non-adhesive binding styles and includes constructing a book in a 'Coptic Style' binding with an exposed sewing structure. 

DESIGN Unit - Exploring Design Ideas
(Unit 201/202)
Students applying for City & Guilds qualifications in Craft Bookbinding are required to demonstrate design skills by producing a portfolio of design and sampling ideas.

The basic principles of design and colour theory are covered in this three-day Craft Design course.  The course includes creating a design portfolio that uses common craft materials to create textures and simple patterns.  It also involves research into historical and modern binding styles.

We recognise some students will already have experience and qualifications in the visual arts and may not be required to undertake this Unit.  However to qualify for an Award, Certificate or Diploma students must provide a portfolio of design ideas that fulfil this important aspect of the curriculum.

LEVEL 3 - Diploma in Bookbinding
The Level 3 City & Guilds Diploma is a qualification which was devised to complement the Queen's Bindery Apprenticeship Scheme in 2018.

The Level 3 is a wider ranging and more challenging than the first two levels.  It covers a broad range of bookbinding skills as detailed below which will enable a successful candidate to work in a commercial or institutional bindery.

There are 13 mandatory assignments in the Diploma ranging from one to six days in duration.  They cover the following aspects of bookbinding:

  • Storage & Enclosures I - Portfolio; phase box; lift off lid box
  • Storage & Enclosures II - Cloth drop-back box /clamshell box; brass post folder
  • Storage & Enclosures III - Quarter leather drop-back box with rounded spine
  • Library style binding
  • Laced-on-boards binding
  • Leather entry slipcase
  • Gold Finishing using hand tools and gold leaf
  • Cloth binding reback
  • Leather binding reback
  • Paper repairs using Japanese tissues

At least two optional assignments must be completed from the following list:

  • Springback/Ledger Binding
  • Edge Decoration
  • 17th Century style limp vellum binding
  • Quarter  hardback vellum binding
  • Islamic binding

A questionnaire for each mandatory and optional Level 3 assignment must be completed for final assessment: these can be answered either verbally or submitted in written format.

In addition, for final assessment the student must provide:

  • A record of learning and self-assessment with costings sheets for each assignment
  • A research project of open choice on any subject to do with bookbinding, approximately 3000 words 
  • A portfolio of design and sampling ideas

How do I apply and how much does it cost?

Students who wish to apply for a City & Guilds Award, Certificate or Diploma in Bookbinding should let us know when booking a course with Shepherds.  Registration is through Shepherds as an approved City & Guilds centre.
Email Wendy Lagden for more information:  wl@bookbinding.co.uk

REGISTRATION COSTS

This fee is set by City & Guilds and is currently:

  • Level 1 Award in Craft Bookbinding (Units 118 & 119) - £51.00
  • Level 2 Certificate in Craft Bookbinding (Units 220, 221 & 201/202) - £104.00
  • Level 3 Diploma in Craft Bookbinding - £229.00

ASSESSMENT COSTS

This fee is set by Shepherds to cover administrative and assessment time and is currently:

  • Level 1 Award (Units 118 & 119 combined) - £150
  • Level 2 Certificate (Units 220,221, 201/202 combined) - £150
  • Level 3 Diploma (Includes an interim assessment and report ) - £375

A Level 3 Diploma with Shepherds would cost in the region of £4,600-£6,200 including registration, assessment fees and the cost of at least two optional Assignment courses and VAT.