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 is the start of your transition into conservation studies if your undergraduate degree was not in a related field.
An internationally respected metals programme with a practical focus, practical work (75% of the course) is supported by studying the history, conservation theory and material science of objects. You will help organise and undertake work for clients, learn to estimate and tender for work. Seminars, lectures and case studies help you to develop a competitive portfolio and workplace skills.
**You can expect**
A focus on practical skills
To develop high level applied craft and conservation skills in metalwork
To handle, assess and make proposals for the treatment of a range of objects
Theoretical, scientific and analytical study of artefacts and materials
**Learning environment**
High tutor: student ratio
Purpose designed workshop with access 8.30am-9pm, 7 days a week
Access to on-site silversmiths and blacksmithing workshops
Interdisciplinary environment
Teaches students to understand and apply Icon's Professional Standards in Conservation
Visiting lecturers from public and private institutions and workshops
Group visits to collections, studios and workshops
**Exceptional facilities**
You will work in our well-equipped metals workshop with individual bench space, a forge and foundry equipped for soldering, brazing and welding, and a tool room. There are areas for microscopy, chemicals, hot work, machining, and photography. There is also access to on-site silversmiths and blacksmithing workshops.
Collaboration with other conservation specialisms makes for a uniquely enriched learning environment. Shared facilities include:
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:
GME1
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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