Fine Art Studio Tour, West Dean
Fine Art
MFA (Master of Fine Art)
Campus Open Day - 31 October 2025 - Register now
Virtual Open Day – 11 November 2025 - Register now
Award: Master of Fine Art
Duration: 2 academic years, full time (September 2026)
School: School of Arts
Campus: West Dean
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding
The MFA (Master of Fine Art) at West Dean College is an advanced two-year full-time masters of fine art designed to further advance students' capacities in practical, theoretical and professional domains, with an emphasis on specialist studio practice. MFA students will establish and refine core concerns and ambitions, as well as subjecting the work to critical scrutiny and self-reflection. Interdisciplinary practices are encouraged and supported, as well as those focused on a single discipline such as Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Drawing, Tapestry and Textiles. You will benefit from sustained periods of studio-based activity, with dissertation requirements coming early in the second year.
Learning environment
- Large individual studio spaces
- Excellent staff-to-student ratio with regular tutorial support
- Specialised lectures, seminars and workshops with regular visiting lecturers and artists
- Expert support from workshop technicians
- Professional development - gallery visits and other external events
- Contact with a regular series of professional Artists-in-Residence
- An immersive environment with rich connections to art history, particularly Surrealism, through the legacy of College founder Edward James
You can expect
- Support in consolidating studio practice to a high standard
- Access to facilities, workshops and expertise for the fabrication of artworks relating to the individual student's ambitions.
- Large individual studios and outdoor facilities make it possible to realise ambitious work
- Opportunities for innovative approaches to studio practice so conceptual ideas can be tested and informed using selected media
- To develop originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the Fine Art
- Systematic understanding and critical awareness of current debates in contemporary art practice
- To develop aptitude for professional practice, independent research or employment, including opportunities for public exhibition
MFA units include
- Studio Work units run consistently throughout the MFA programme
- Creative Research Strategies (18-weeks) - with access to the on-site Edward James Archive to develop new work and supporting research.
- Art Research and Criticality - lecture series with support in research skills
- Professional Practice - supports you in preparations for the Summer Shows and include workshops dedicated to Artist Statements, documentation, profile building and curator-led critiques.
Interdisciplinary study
Students are encouraged to collaborate with other College departments, particularly the full-time programmes in the School of Conservation, making the most of the wide range of specialist knowledge, materials and equipment that is available.
Virtual tour & gallery
West Dean Summer Show 2024 at the Edward James Studios, West Dean
Fine Art Studio Tour, West Dean
West Dean Summer Show 2024 at the Edward James Studios, West Dean
Study Fine Art at West Dean
Exhibition opportunities
Each year students stage a series of public exhibitions, including pop-up exhibitions, an annual fundraising exhibition and the celebrated Summer Shows that are held at the College and one other location, recently London and Margate, Kent. Through these, students develop skills in the requirements of exhibition management, such as production, installation and marketing.
As well as being encouraged to exhibit externally, both locally and nationally, during their studies, students have the unique opportunity to propose installations within West Dean House and West Dean Gardens. Project proposals are encouraged to reflect the rich heritage of West Dean and the legacy of College founder Edward James.
West Dean Summer Show
The West Dean Summer Show offers an opportunity for students on our Graduate Diploma and MFA qualifications to showcase their talents in a diverse range of practices including sculpture, installation, print, painting, film, ceramics, and textiles.
Artist in Residence Programme
The Artist-in-Residence programme sees a series of professional artists living and working onsite, amongst Fine Art students. They enrich the creative learning environment by offering tutorial sessions with students as well as public presentations on the work produced during the residency and their wider practice.
School of Arts
Explore and expand your work in a uniquely immersive environment with its own connections to art history. Our School of Arts students enjoy specialist studio spaces dedicated to painting and drawing, sculpture and tapestry and textile-based work as well as exceptional exhibition space.
Fees & funding
2025/26 Course Fees - UK & International Students
- £4,300 per term (£12,900 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.
We may routinely increase our course fees from year to year for one-year courses as well as courses lasting two or more years and may review and change such course fees without notice.
Funding
You may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan to cover course fees and/or maintenance; more information can be found on the Government Student Finance website.
Scholarships and Bursaries are also available based on individual need.
Entry requirements
The following qualifications will be considered for entry on to the MFA:
- An Honours Degree or equivalent qualification in Fine Art or a related discipline
- Relevant work experience in an arts-related field which demonstrates your ability to study at postgraduate level
- E portfolio of work related to application (optional at point of application. A portfolio will be requested if shortlisted for an interview)
- Critical work example (optional at point of application. An academic writing sample will be requested if shortlisted for an interview)
- An appropriate level of engagement with current debates in contemporary arts and making is required
- English language: CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) Level 2 or IELTS 6.5 or above.
How to create a portfolio
Do you need help creating a portfolio to apply for Master of Fine Art? Read our portfolio advice to learn about the general requirements, what we look for in a good portfolio, and what it should reflect.
How to apply
Applications for this course can be made by submitting a completed application form and emailing it to: [email protected].
Ask a question
Need more information? Have a question? Speak to our course advisors
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 01243 818 300 and select option 1
Commendations
Commendations from the University of Sussex include:
"The high quality student experience and strength of student representation within the College."
"The changes to units so they draw on and make use of specific collections within the archive."
"The linking of theory and practice, and delivery of theory by studio technicians."
School of Arts blog
Residencies
16th September 2025
West Dean X Common Clay Artist Research Residency
- By Artist-in-Residence, Charlie Brookes
I’m an artist and maker working primarily in ceramics. My creative practice is grounded in material exploration, research, and storytelling. I have a particular interest in the history and politics of land its use, ownership, value, and the systems of power and profit that shape our relationship to it.
During my residency, I sp...
Gardening Design
10th September 2025
Life After Graduation: Garden Design with Jane Ashley
- By Garden Design Diploma graduate, Jane Ashley
Becoming a garden designer was a logical step for me, combining my creative skills with my lifelong delight in plants and gardens. Attending KLC was the pathway which enabled me to make this move and launch my garden design career.
I’d previously enjoyed another career, different but also sa...
3rd September 2025
Joining this September?
As your exciting new chapter at West Dean College begins, we’re here to ensure that your transition is as smooth as possible. We’ve compiled a handy guide covering everything from what to bring to university, what to expect on your move-in day, and exploring the local area.
Your first day at West Dean is just around the corner. Here’s what you can expect when y...
22nd August 2025
Exploring archaeology through Ceramics Conservation
When most people think of ceramics, they picture delicate china teacups or decorative pottery. But what many don’t realise is that ceramics play a significant role in archaeology, opening windows into the past and revealing stories of ancient civilizations.
One of the core principles in ceramic conservation is understanding the balance between preserving the object’s...
18th August 2025
Stop and smell the roses: cleaning a 16th century German herbal
- By Megan an MA Book Conservation Student
There is a box on my workbench that, when opened, displays four smaller boxes. If you open any of these smaller boxes, the contents look astonishingly like the inside of a box of After Eights, with all the chocolates lined up in their little packets. Rather than minty treats, these boxes contain what my colleagues jokin...
Creative Writing & Publishing
13th August 2025
Historical Fiction Writing with Adrienne Chinn
Adrienne Chinn teaches the Certificate in Historical Fiction Writing at West Dean, an engaging writing course teaching students the key elements of successful historical fiction writing over three weekends in an academic year.
She is the author of six novels including The English Wife (2020), which became an international bestseller, reaching No. 2 in Canada and making the top 100 on ...
Tutors
David Stent
Subject Leader - Fine Art
Dr David Stent is an artist, writer, curator and performer. His practice has drawn on various media, from drawing and painting to film, video, sonic and sculptural installation. He holds a PhD in Fine Art from the University of Reading, and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Philip Sanderson
Subject Tutor - Tapestry, Fine Art
Studio Leader - West Dean Tapestry Studio
Philip Sanderson is Leader of the Professional Tapestry Studio and a Subject Tutor on the MFA in Fine Art. He is also the Tutor for the Tapestry Foundation Diploma and a short course tutor. During his time at West Dean Philip has translated the work of a number of artists into large-scale tapestries including Marta Rogoyska, John Hubbard, Tracy Emin, and Eva Rothschild.
Sarah Hughes
Programme coordinator - BA (Hons) Art &Contemporary Craft
Subject tutor - Fine Art
Sarah Hughes is the Programme Coordinator for the BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft, and a subject tutor on our Fine Art programmes. Sarah, is an artist and composer with an interest in spatial practice.
George Charman
Subject tutor - Fine Art & BA (Hons) Art & Contemporary Craft
Short course tutor
George Charman is an artist and lecturer based in London who teaches on the GD and MFA programmes at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation. Charman's practice-led research focuses on embodied social knowledge, exploring connections between dialogic social experiences and physical sensation in modes of creative production/fabrication.
Mary Dalton
Mary trained at the Royal College of Art, graduating with an MFA in Printmaking. She has been teaching since 2008, including running the lithography studio at the famous Curwen. Her work is in the collections of the Imperial War Museum and the Tate Library as well as international museums.
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