Conservation Studies
Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies
Applications open
Duration: One academic year (36 weeks) full time
School: Conservation
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.
Kirsten Ramsay of the BBC's The Repair Shop studied Conservation of Ceramics between 1989-1991 and shares her experience and memories of studying at West Dean.
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.
Entry requirements
Degree or qualification at an equivalent level to the second year of undergraduate study (e.g. HND, FdA or DipHE), and an interest or experience in object conservation and cultural heritage. 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.
International students will require English language CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) level B2 or IELTS 6.5 or above.
If you fulfil the entry requirements, you will be invited to visit the College for an interview with the programme tutor and another senior member of academic staff and undertake a practical test if applicable.
How to apply
If you only wish to apply to West Dean, please complete the application form below and email to [email protected]. If you are applying to more than one institution, please apply through UCAS using the links.
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
Short Courses Blog
16th April 2024
My short course experience: drawing inspiration from trauma
Regular short course student Julia shares her experiences getting creative at West Dean, where her inspiration comes from and why West Dean was a game-changer for her. Julia will be continuing her creative journey on the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (FDAD) this year.
By Julia Engelhorn
I love taking courses to broaden my skills, especially since I moved to England. F...
Residencies
21st March 2024
Damian Barr: Musings from a Writing Residency at West Dean
By Damian Barr
I have been here for three weeks but also a lifetime.
My writing residency has stretched from the last of Winter into the first of Spring, words rising with the sap through March. I have been here long enough to watch the apple trees in the orchard bud grey and then burst into green – today I paused, on my way to lunch, to greet the first bright leaf but...
Musical Instruments
18th March 2024
Musical Instruments study trip to Paris
Just before Easter break, second year students on the FdA Musical Instruments programmes went on a study trip to Paris.
During their trip, they visited Musée de la musique and spent time in the museum's laboratory with Collection Curator Jean-Philippe Échard.
With one of the largest collections of musical instruments in the world, the Musée de l...
Gardening Design
1st March 2024
Graduate wins competition to re-design historic Chapel Court garden at Hampton Court Palace
Garden Design Diploma graduates were recently invited to respond to an exciting brief from Historic Royal Palaces, which included redesigning the Chapel Court Planting Plan at Hampton Court Palace, with work scheduled to start later this year.
The brief
Graduates were asked to consider the following:
Plants have to be able to deal with the harsh conditions inside t...
Fine Art
12th January 2024
Revisiting historic unrealised stained glass window designs
At the end of last term, Fine Art students visited the West Dean Archive to see some of the unrealised stained-glass window designs commissioned by College Founder Edward James in the aftermath of the fire that destroyed St Andrew’s church on 26 November 1934. After the blaze, all that remained of the 300-year-old church were the four walls, the tower and one of the existing windo...
12th December 2023
2023 in review
2023 has been a year of continued successes and new directions for KLC School of Design.
We celebrated the graduation of another group of successful students; from Diploma and FdA to BA Degree, we are incredibly proud to have played a part in preparing a new generation of interior and garden design students entering the industry.
Once again, the industry has been incre...
Tutors
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.
Karen Vidler FIIC
Subject Leader Books and Library Materials
Karen Vidler FIIC is a book and paper conservator and bookbinder with over 25 years’ experience working as a conservator and bookbinder in the United Kingdom and Australia. She has worked at The National Archives, V&A Museum and the Leather Conservation Centre.
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.
Leszek Knyrek
Subject Tutor Books and Library Materials
Leszek gained his Diploma in Bookbinding in 1997 and has been a Master bookbinder for the last 25 years. More recently he became a qualified book conservator. He has been in private practice in London and Poland as both a bookbinder and more recently book conservator.
Student Information
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