West Dean College has an international reputation for excellence in conservation and creative arts. Whether you are exploring your options for a Foundation degree, diploma or postgraduate study to Masters level, you can expect a rich learning experience that will equip you with advanced practical skills. Our low student-to-staff ratio (average 8:1) means there is a great degree of individual tuition.
Open debate and exchange of ideas and information is encouraged, ensuring West Dean College alumni are amongst the leading practitioners in their field.
Why West Dean College?
- Degrees and diplomas are validated by the University of Sussex
- Low student-to-staff ratio
- Teaching from specialists in their field
- Individual studio space in fully equipped workshops, open 7 days a week
- Bursary and scholarship opportunities
- Strong connections in the heritage and arts sectors
- Facilities include exhibition space, specialist arts and conservation library, analytical laboratory and artist-in-residence programme
School of Conservation
Students from around the world come here to study conservation of books, ceramics, clocks, furniture and metals. Students have access to live conservation projects and benefit from the college’s active links with the heritage sector. Alumni are among the most sought-after in their field, nationally and internationally. Two years after graduating, 70% of conservation students who responded to a questionnaire were working in their field of conservation (student questionnaire, 2015).
School of Creative Arts
You can specialise in Tapestry and Textile Art, Sculpture or Painting and Drawing on the MA in Visual Arts or MFA. The vision of founder and Surrealist patron Edward James connects today's students with a rich heritage of art. Students have the opportunity to engage with site-specific subjects, individual objects or references to the college's history relating to Edward James, surrealism and beyond.
In a 2016 survey of students studying at West Dean College: 84% say they feel better prepared for their future career.
