Certificate of Higher Education in Leather Technology

Course Content

• Course Details

  Our Certificate of Higher Education in Leather Technology is the perfect introduction to help you go straight into the leather industry. You will get a thorough grounding in leather and its requirements through a practical approach in our tanner and laboratories, underpinned by essential theory.

  You will gain and expand your understanding of leather making starting with the raw hide through to the finished leather. Throughout the process you will appreciate the importance of quality control and performance in relation to future use.

   

  With 100 credits of this 120 credit course being compulsory, this leaves you an option to follow either a business, marketing, or leather science route with your remaining 20 credits; a choice to suit your personal interest.

  It is possible to study this course on a part-time basis over two years by taking 60 credits in the first semester, returning the following year to take the remaining 60 credits. However, if you choose not to select the science modules, you would split the credits 50/ 70 over the two years.

  Methods of Learning

  This one year course is very practical and you will most likely spend a considerable amount of time in our working tannery and chemistry laboratories. You will be introduced to the entire manufacturing process as well as the properties of leather that relate to their suitability for different purposes.

  You will begin to develop the technical practical skills that are necessary for future career progression, but you will also (depending on the specialist route you choose) examine marketing principles and tools for business management.

  You are also invited to attend some of the short courses offered by the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies (ICLT) at the university to further enhance your repertoire of skills.

  Assessments

  You will be assessed through a variety of methods such as practical reports, assignments, presentations, reflective portfolios and examinations. The student is conferred one of the following awards, Technologist Award, Technician Award or Pass Award, upon completion of the Leathersellers’ Certificate.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

  • Stage 1
    • Introduction to Management (20 Credits)
      Module code: BUS1004

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to introduce the functional areas of management (eg marketing, finance, HRM, information management and operations) and the key tasks carried out in those areas within organisations.
    • Raw Materials and End Use (20 Credits)
      Module code: LEA1004

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides a comprehensive understanding of the leather supply chain focusing on raw materials, leather types and customer requirements to ensure the final leather products are fit for purpose. The pressures facing the modern leather supply chain from the meat industry, environmental organisations and brands will be discussed.
    • Surface Coatings I (20 Credits)
      Module code: LEA1011

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with an understanding of leather finishing process which is complex, artistic and susceptible to imperfections. Theory and practical sessions will develop knowledge on the choice and blending of materials and techniques to process leather of various types from crust to finished.
    • Leather Technology and Materials Evaluation - Raw to Tanned (30 Credits)
      Module code: LEA1013

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide an understanding of the process steps and parameters required to progress from raw material to tanned stage of leather manufacture. Lectures and practical sessions will develop a broad knowledge of the beamhouse and tanning stages of leather manufacture and associated chemical testing to ensure quality control.
    • Leather Technology and Materials Evaluation - Tanned to Crust (30 Credits)
      Module code: LEA1014

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide an understanding of the process steps and parameters required to progress from tanned to crust stages of leather manufacture. Lectures and practical sessions will develop a broad knowledge of relevant operations of leather manufacture. Physical testing will demonstrate the physical properties of leather vary depending on processing variables.
    • Introduction to Science (10 Credits)
      Module code: LEA1015

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to build a foundation of general science concepts. On completion of this module the student should have an understanding of introductory atomic science, organic chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics and pH.
    • Leather Science 1 (10 Credits)
      Module code: LEA1016

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to examine the topics covered in Leather Technology from a scientific perspective. Upon completion of this module, the student should have a scientific understanding of the structure of skin tissue, and the general scientific rationale of the chemicals and basic processes used in leather manufacture.
    • Foundations of Marketing (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1001

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to introduce the concept of marketing to students. To explain what marketing is and to show the way in which marketing impacts on organisations, customers and other stakeholders. The idea of ?creating value? is central to a marketing orientation and this module seeks to explain what this means in a rapidly changing external environment..
    • Introduction to Marketing Communications (20 Credits)
      Module code: MKT1002

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to explore current and emerging practices in marketing communications across a range of industries and sectors.

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• Entry Requirements

  A typical offer would be:

  • CCC at A-level or,
  • MMP at BTEC or,
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level

  If you have significant prior experience in the leather industry, we welcome your application, even if you do not hold these formal qualifications. If you have a creative background, you will also be considered and will be invited for interview to explore your experience, skills and motivation.

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• Fees and Funding

  24/25 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £7,620
  • UK – Part Time: £1,270 per 20 credits
  • International – Full Time: £15,200

  Additional costs

  • £100 to cover PPE (safety glasses, one white lab coat, one blue lab coat, wellington boots and gloves) and contribution to raw material costs
  • Student Membership to the Society for Leather Technologists and Chemists (six journals per year and free attendance to the Annual Conference) This is optional and costs £26.50
  • Individual Spray Gun, £40 (Sponsorship may be available)
  • Italy Trip – Although the Italy Trip is heavily subsidised by industry, there is an approximate cost of £150 that students will pay to book flights and transport. The trip is not compulsory.*

  *Subject to Terms and Conditions.

  23/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £7,620
  • UK – Part Time: £1,270 per 20 credits
  • International – Full Time: £14,750

  Additional costs

  • £100 to cover PPE (safety glasses, one white lab coat, one blue lab coat, wellington boots and gloves) and contribution to raw material costs
  • Student Membership to the Society for Leather Technologists and Chemists (six journals per year and free attendance to the Annual Conference) This is optional and costs £26.50
  • Individual Spray Gun, £40 (Sponsorship may be available)
  • Italy Trip – Although the Italy Trip is heavily subsidised by industry, there is an approximate cost of £150 that students will pay to book flights and transport. The trip is not compulsory.*

  *Subject to Terms and Conditions.

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

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