You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• art and design
• fine art
• ceramics and glass
• design crafts

You'll need a portfolio of work to showcase your skills when applying for courses.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Some colleges run short creative craft courses in glass, which can be useful for picking up glassmaking skills and techniques.

There are also glass manufacturing courses, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need to get into the commercial glassmaking industry. These include:

• glass processing
• glass related operations

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do a Stained Glass Craftsperson Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This takes around 3 years to complete and covers a range of glass craft techniques, including:

• glass painting
• enamelling
• etching
• stained glass

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

You could enrol on a training course with a practising glass artist or a college offering crafts courses.

You can find a list of commercial and college glass course providers through the Contemporary Glass Society.

You'll need:

• the ability to work well with your hands
• design skills and knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of maths
• knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

As a glassmaker, you could:

• design new product ranges or pieces for limited release
• mix ingredients and additives in the right proportions
• blow glass using a blowing iron
• form and bend glass using heat or moulds
• decorate glass with laser, point, stipple, drill, copper wheel or sand engraving
• etch items using acid or create patterns with stencils
• use hand tools, and machinery like lathes and sandblasters
• repair or conserve pieces, like stained glass panels, windows or homeware items
• market your business if you're self-employed

You could work in a creative studio or in a workshop.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.