Conservation Studies
Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies
Applications open
Duration: One academic year (36 weeks) full time
Location: West Dean
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding
The Graduate Diploma (Level 6) is the start of your transition into Conservation Studies. 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. Students choose one of the pathway specialisms below, yet elements of interdisciplinary work are still involved.
Subject specialisms
- Books and Library Materials
Books and Library Materials is the largest specialism in the material conservation sector, and this programme has a high success rate with alumni going on to work in libraries and archives worldwide. - Ceramics and Related Materials
Specialise in Ceramics and Related Materials and work with a range of exciting objects from historical and private collections, from archaeological finds to decorative arts objects. - Furniture and Related Objects
Enhance your employment prospects and work towards becoming a professional furniture conservator or craftsperson. Students work on a range of live projects in a stimulating workshop environment. - Horology, Clocks and Related Objects
Studying Clocks and related dynamic objects allow you to develop the skills and competences to work towards becoming a professional horologist or horological conservator. Students work on clock conservation, restoration and repair. - Metalwork
Studying Metalwork opens up a range of possibilities for you as you work towards becoming a professional craftsperson or metalwork conservator. Students have access to live projects and exceptional facilities.
Learning environment
- High tutor: student ratio
- Well-equipped workshops
- Workshop access
- Individual workbench 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
Student gallery
Careers
On completion of the Graduate Diploma, many students go on to study the MA Conservation Studies which includes a six-week work placement to broaden practical experience, build contacts and gain transferable skills. Others pursue entry-level positions in the heritage sector. The College’s extensive links with museums, conservators and professional bodies in the heritage sector open up an impressive range of work placement opportunities.
Graduates have had placements at, or gone on to work with:
- Amsterdam City Archives
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- Bodleian Library
- Brighton Pavilion
- British Museum
- Fishbourne Roman Palace
- Heritage Blacksmith Partnership
- Imperial War Museum,
- Lambeth Palace Library
- Leiden University Library
- Library of Congress
- Maritime Museum Rotterdam
- National Museum of American History
- Notarial Archives
- Malta
- Oxford Conservation Consortium
- Richard Rogers Conservation
- Royal Collection Trust
- Royal Museums Greenwich
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A),
- Yale University Library.
School of Conservation
Our School of Conservation offers a dynamic, internationally connected and respected learning environment where students benefit from the unique opportunity to study in a working historic house. Students enjoy access to well-equipped professional workshops, studios, and a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory.
Fees and funding
Course fees are the same for the UK and international students
- £4,880 per term (£14,640 per academic year)
Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional. Find out more
A £250 course fee and £200 accommodation deposit (if residential) is required to secure your place. Details will be provided to you in your offer. Fees are billed termly in advance. Please see the Terms and Conditions for further information.
Funding
Scholarships and bursaries are available from £500 to £10,000.
If you are a UK/EU student you may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan (tuition fees and/or maintenance loans) from the Student Loans Company.
How to apply
If you only wish to apply to West Dean, please contact [email protected] for an application form. If you are applying for more than one institution, please apply through UCAS using the links below.
GD Conservation Studies - specialising in Books and Library Materials
GD Conservation Studies - specialising in Ceramics
GD Conservation Studies - specialising in Clocks
GD Conservation Studies - specialising in Furniture and Related Objects
GD Conservation Studies - specialising in Metalwork
Any questions?
Email [email protected]; call us on: (01243) 818 300 and select option 1, or read more about our Admissions processes.
Commendations
Commendations from the University of Sussex include:
"This re-validation further builds on the success of the courses, which have been refined over a number of years to produce excellent results."
"The professional networking opportunities provided through external collaborations and the opportunities for students to disseminate their work to an external audience."
"The approach to fostering a collaborative, creative student community in line with Edward James’ vision for the College."
FAQs
Can I study a mixture of the Conservation specialisms on this course?
Students on the Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies choose one of the following pathways to specialise in when they apply: Books and Library Materials, Ceramics and Related Materials, Clocks and Related Objects, Furniture and Related Objects, Metalwork.
I am interested in Conservation but don’t meet the academic entry requirements or have been out of formal education for a while. Can I still apply?
Accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) will be considered. In these cases, applicants would need to demonstrate their capacity for degree-level work through a portfolio of work, prior learning and an interest or experience in object conservation and cultural heritage.
What would you expect to see in a Conservation Studies portfolio?
A portfolio should demonstrate your interest and experience in conservation and your chosen specialism. It can comprise sketches, photos, video evidence of you working in a conservation environment with your hands using materials such as Books, Metals, Furniture (relevant to your chosen specialism).
What is involved in the practical test?
You are asked to complete a task using workshop tools so we can see that you have the right level of mental agility and manual dexterity to undertake the practical elements of the course. Assessments take place onsite at the College workshops or remotely when it is not possible to come into the College.
School of Conservation news
Ceramics & Glass
18th August 2023
Completing the conservation of a 16th Century Maiolica Dish from The Russell-Cotes Museum
By Elizabeth Wells, MA Conservation Studies student, specialising in Ceramics and Related Materials
After complex decision-making surrounding the treatment of an incredible 16th Century Maiolica dish from The Russell-Cotes Museum, the journey from dull, broken ceramic to vibrant, finished object wasn’t quite over...
24th July 2023
Supporting Acts: Mounting a Suit of Maximilian Armour
By Chris Arrowsmith, Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies student, specialising in Metalwork
This spring term the metals conservation students were given a whole suit of armour to play with. It turned out to be a major undertaking over three months, but one challenge in particular interested me – how on earth to mount a heavy, free-standing suit of armour? &nbs...
31st May 2023
Student placements 2023 - Where did they go?
Each year, students on the MA Conservation Studies programmes undertake a six-week work placement in industry as part of their studies. The College’s extensive links with museums, conservators and professional bodies in the heritage sector across the UK, EU and internationally, opens up an impressive range of opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in a 'real-world' sett...
Gardening Design
24th May 2023
Gardening Art In Ancient Rome
by Paola Tavoletti
Find out more
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
The contemplative and the intellectual dimension: a mix that helps us to live in harmony with ourselves and with the surrounding world. The ancient Romans were wise!
For the Romans the garden was initially tied to the peasant society, t...
Ceramics & Glass
9th May 2023
Investigating what lies beneath a 16th Century Maiolica Dish from The Russell-Cotes Museum
By Elizabeth Wells, MA Conservation Studies student, specialising in Ceramics and Related Materials
Short Courses
5th May 2023
Meet the maker: Jack Durling
Introducing Jack Durling, a new short course tutor at West Dean for 2023. Specialising in creating ceramic animal sculptures, Jack seeks to express his love of animals in his work and through his workshops. Here, he tells us more about his practice, current work, inspirations and where it all began... How did you get started with making ceramic animal sculptures? W...
Tutors
Lizzie Neville MA ACR
Head of School of Conservation
Elizabeth Neville has over thirty years' experience as a book conservator, interspersed with teaching and supervising on the Graduate Diploma in Books and Library Materials and MA Conservation Studies courses at West Dean.
Lorna Calcutt MA ACR
Programme Coordinator and Subject Leader for Ceramics (and Related Materials)
Lorna has been a tutor then Subject Leader at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation for 16 years and prior to that was employed as a conservator in national institutions and in the private sector.
Malcolm Archer FBHI
Subject Leader, Clocks (and Related Objects)
Malcolm's extensive experience in private practice, as well as the heritage sector/museums, lies behind his in-depth understanding of the profession. He brings a comprehensive knowledge of traditional craft skills, theory and contextual history. He also has an interest in new and innovative ways of applying conservation to mechanical objects.
Maudie Casserly MA
Subject Tutor, Books and Library materials
Maudie is a book and paper conservator and bookbinder. Having worked a various institutions and companies over the years, including the Victoria & Albert Museum and The National Archives, Maudie now works for herself, taking on commissions from museums, libraries, collections and private individuals. In additional to practical conservation and binding, Maudie also teaches a range of online classes in bookbinding to students all over the world.
David Dorning MA ACR FIIC
Subject Tutor, Conservation Science
David is a book and paper conservation specialist who has tutored more than a generation of book conservators since he began as a tutor in book conservation at West Dean College in 1988. He has taught science for conservators in the UK, USA and Europe, established the analytical laboratory at West Dean College in 2007 and has been the college's science tutor for 25 years.
Tim Hughes
Subject Tutor, Clocks (and Related Objects)
Tim Hughes MBHI, clock maker, trained at West Dean College and works as a clockmaker and scientific instrument restorer, and as external consultant at Bellmans Auctioneers. He has received several awards, including the Trustees' Prize while at West Dean College and a QEST Scholarship.
Daniel Pateman
Subject Leader, Furniture (and Related objects)
Daniel designs and makes furniture to commission inspired by the principles of the arts and crafts movement which had a profound influence whilst serving his apprenticeship at the Edward Barnsley Workshop in Hampshire. He has an affinity for using hand tools and how they creatively contribute to the making process.
Shayne Rivers MA FIIC
Research Skills and Cross-curriculum Practice
Shayne Rivers is an acknowledged world expert in the conservation of furniture and Asian lacquer. She has lectured on conservation in the USA, Australia, Japan, Europe and the UK, and has been involved in the education of the next generation of conservators throughout her professional career.
Dale Sardeson
Subject Tutor, Clocks (and Related Objects)
Dale Sardeson is a subject Tutor, Clocks (and Related Objects), professional clockmaker and conservator based in West Sussex.
Jasmina Vučković MA ACR
Subject Tutor, Ceramics (and Related Materials)
Jasmina Vuckovic is Subject Tutor at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. She has been a visiting lecturer at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation prior to becoming a subject tutor in 2018. Jasmina is a member of ICOM and accredited member of Icon.
Anna Guy
Conservation Science Laboratory Tutor
Anna studied organic chemistry in Italy and her interest in academic research brought her to the UK. Her passion for research and art brought her to West Dean College, a very special and unique place where applied science meets cultural heritage.
Kate Jennings
Subject Leader, Conservation Studies specialising in Metalwork
Kate's background includes practicing as a solicitor before making a career change to train as a blacksmith and specialist Metals Conservator. She earned an MA in Conservation Studies from West Dean, following which she founded a small business specializing in the conservation of forged and architectural metalwork.
Jonathan Farley MA ACR
Subject Tutor, Books and Library Materials
Jonathan is a Library and Archives Conservator with over 40 years experience. Jonathan has worked for various institutions such as the National Archive, Hampshire Record Office and The University of Hull. Jonathan is an accredited member of ICON (the Institute for Conservation).
Phil Lyons BA BAFRA
Subject Tutor
Phil is a BAFRA accredited conservator/restorer based in Buckinghamshire. He has twenty years experience in private practice running a small business providing a professional conservation/restoration service.
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