Handicrafts
A field of study in arts and humanities
Vocational or degree?Both routes3 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 90,000 finished vocational training and 168,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?52% in a matching jobof arts and humanities graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 35%.All arts and humanities fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
Conservation techniquesPrecious metal processingTypes of pottery materialMusical instruments materialsJewellery processesWatches and jewellery productsCharacteristics of precious metalsCraftingManufacturing of jewelleryImitation jewelleryGemstonesJewellery product categories+ 12 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
9 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precious stone cutter | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Jeweller | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Hand brick moulder | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Pottery and porcelain caster | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Jewellery assembler | Average | Below average | Vocational | Low |
| Clock and watchmaker | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Production potter | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
| Gemmologist | Average | About average | Post-secondary | Moderate |
| Wicker furniture maker | Limited | About average | Vocational | Very low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
1,154 institutions in the EU offer arts and humanities bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.