Certificate of Higher Education in Leather Technology

Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    CertHE: J431

  • Level

    Undergraduate

  • Duration

    Full Time: 1 year
    Part Time: 2 years

  • Starting

    September

  • CCC at A-level or,
    MMP at BTEC

  • Fees UK 24/25

    Full Time: £7,850
    Part Time: £1,310 per 20 credits

  • Fees International 24/25

    Full Time: £15,200

  • Location

Get in touch


For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

international@northampton.ac.uk
+44 (0)1604 893981

Overview


The leather industry today is a global business with links from the farm to top brands such as Aston Martin, Virgin Atlantic, Clarks shoes, Nike and Burberry. With its current shortage of technically skilled staff, and increased demand on the leather industry itself, they are actively searching for well-trained graduates for a range of roles including research, quality control, supply chain traceability and other technical positions.

This one year full-time Certificate of Higher Education in Leather Technology is the perfect introduction to help you go straight into the leather industry.

Find out more about the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies.

Updated 18/03/2024

Highlights


  • Pilot scale tannery.
  • This course is unique to the University of Northampton.
  • Bursaries and scholarships available for leather students.

Course Content


  • 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.

      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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..
      • 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.
  • A typical offer would be:

    • CCC at A-level or,
    • MMP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical 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.

    We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

    English Language Requirements

    All International and EU students applying for a course with The University of Northampton must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each band from an Approved UKVI SELT provider – this is a level 4 programme therefore a UKVI SELT is required.

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  • 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: £7,850
    • UK – Part Time: £1,310 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.

Facilities


We are the only UK university to integrate leather technology with fashion, marketing, business and environmental concerns. We are proud to house an on-site working tannery for practical leather making as well as laboratories for leather testing.