Conservation Studies, specialising in Books and Library Materials
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation
Conservation Studies, specialising in Books and Library Materials
Course Summary
Study at a specialist college with the assurance of a university qualification. Develop your passions and reach your potential in a small, welcoming environment within a community of like-minded people.
**Why choose West Dean College of Arts and Conservation?**
An international reputation for excellence in conservation and arts education
94% of students studying at the College* felt the programme had enhanced their skills and abilities (*2019 student survey)
A rich arts environment and a focus on craft skills with vocational application
Be inspired by the unique historic character and beautiful South Downs setting
Located close to Chichester and the South Coast, with easy access to London
**The Course**
The Graduate Diploma provides the theoretical and practical knowledge and experience necessary to start your career as a conservator and to begin to develop an area of specialisation. The programme is designed to be accessible from both the humanities and science study backgrounds and has an international reputation for developing book conservation skills.
Learn how to assess and record the condition of books to produce a complete record of work. Develop a repertoire of conservation treatments for books ranging from simple enclosure, to repair and reinstatement of the parts.
**You can expect**
To develop excellent practical skills
To study the history of papermaking, materials science, storage and environmental issues, leather and image materials
To perform historical research and interpretation of the objects you work on
To work with materials from library and archive collections
**Learning environment**
High tutor: student ratio
Well-equipped workshops
Workshop access 8.30am-9pm, 7 days a week
Individual work bench for each student
Visiting lecturers and group visits to collections, studios and workshops
Interdisciplinary environment
Teaches students to understand and apply Icon's Professional Standards in Conservation visits to collections
**Exceptional facilities**
You will work in a purpose-built space for book conservation with two workshops as well as a bindery with individual student work benches and a demonstration bench. The bindery is fully equipped with sewing and forwarding equipment, board chopper, light boxes, finishing room and science lab. Students each have their own benches with storage and can access the studio from 8.30am to 10pm, allowing you to take full advantage of your time at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. You will also have access to facilities shared with other departments, including:
New analytical laboratory
Photography space
IT suite with specialist databases
On-site Art and Conservation Library with thousands of specialist books and journals
**Teaching**
On the Graduate Diploma you typically have around 24 contact hours per week.
**Independent learning**
When not attending lectures, seminars and workshop or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study for approximately 13-14 hours per week. Typically, this will involve:
Reading journal articles and books
Working on individual and group projects
Undertaking research in the library
Preparing coursework assignments and presentations
**Overall workload**
Graduate Diploma: 60% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 720 hours
Independent learning: 480 hours
Course Details - Modules
Unit G1A Introducing Professional Practice, Unit G1B Introducing Conservation Science, Unit G1C Contextual and Professional Studies 1, Unit G2A Developing Professional Practice, Unit G2B Conservation Science: Development and Applications, Unit G2C Contextual and Professional Studies 2, Unit G3A Research Through Practice. Modules correct at October 2019, they may be subject to change.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
GBO1
Institution code:
W31
Campus Name:
West Dean College
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
The Graduate Diploma is accessible to students from both humanities and science backgrounds. You need to have a degree or qualification at equivalent level to a second year of undergraduate study, e.g. HND, FdA, DipHE. Alternatively, accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) will be considered for those who have been out of formal education for some years and are over 21, who do not meet the general (minimum) entrance requirements, but who can demonstrate their capacity for degree-level work in other ways.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Course fees are the same for UK and international students.
Included is mandatory study trip costs of £400, which typically includes tailored visits to collections/exhibitions of specific interest to the programme of study.
Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional.
To find out more visit: https://www.westdean.org.uk/study/student-information/admissions#living-costs
Provider information
West Dean
Address2 are not listed for this Course.
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Chichester
PO18 0QZ
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