Ceramics and Related Materials
The Ceramics and related materials graduate and postgraduate programmes will prepare you for a career in a variety of prestigious institutes including national and international museums and conservation organisations. Past students have worked on books from the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Ashmolean Museum, the Metropolitan Museum, New York and Sarah Peek Conservation. Students will specialise in conservation and restoration of art and artefacts as diverse as 15th century tiles, mosaics and an 18th century Meissen teapot at the College. You will be introduced to tools and materials to develop practical skills, progressing to more complex, advanced conservation treatments. Included in your studies are ceramic technology, material culture and the science behind them. You will participate in specialist lectures, visits to collections and a short study tour as well as library-based research. The Programme is supported by BADA, the British Antique Dealers Association. An exhibition of your work will be seen by specialist and other guests. Your tutors, advisors and lecturers are at the top of the league in the art of ceramics, Lorna Calcutt, MA ACR, your Programme Leader who has a background in Art and Design and the History of Fine and Decorative Arts.
Graduate Diploma (University fo Sussex Award)
Practical Work
Practical exercises on objects will familiarise you with tools and materials. You will proceed with basic treatment techniques when introduced to a diverse range of ceramic objects. Progressively more complex, advanced conservation treatments are then undertaken.
Conservation Theory and Practice
You will study ceramic technology, including the making of ceramics in a pottery evening class. Material culture and science are studied as
well as professional and ethical best practice. You will be encouraged to produce accessible documentation.Specialist lectures, visits to collections and a short study tour.
Professional Practice
You will develop skills including the use of IT and library-based research while producing reports.
A professional approach to conservation practice is extended through interpretation and investigation of historic objects, their environments and context.
Exhibition of work
A display of your work to invited guests.
Entry Requirements
Degree or qualification at equivalent level to a second year of undergraduate study e.g. HNC, HND, DipHE and significant interest in conservation and the particular material or objects you wish to conserve.
Postgraduate Diploma (University of Sussex Award)
Practical Work, Theory and Practice
To develop professional best practice standards, you will be taught a combination of theory and practice and undertake advanced projects in conservation of ceramics and related materials. You will visit collections and conservation workshops.
Negotiated Work Placement
A Work experience on a placement at a museum or a private workshop working with other professional conservators and curators.
Exhibition of Work
A display of your work to invited guests including those in the professional conservation field.
Entry Requirements
A good first degree in a relevant subject, or successful completion of West Dean’s Graduate Diploma in Ceramics, or significant experience and
interest in object history, technology and design.
Professional Development Diploma (West Dean College Award)
Students wishing to carry out a Professional Development Diploma in their chosen subject should have considerable experience in a relevant industry or successful completion of a relevant diploma or degree and the submission of a project proposal and /or research project.
Entry Requirements
Considerable experience in a relevant industry or successful completion of a relevant diploma or degree and the submission of a project proposal and/or research project.
MA Conservation Studies/MA Design (University of Sussex Award)
All Postgraduate Diplomas at West Dean can be transferred into the MA Degree programmes, thereby extending the duration of study from one academic year to a full calendar year.Mid-way through the academic year (February), students on postgraduate programmes commence MA units in addition to the remainder of their Postgraduate Diploma.On successful completion of the full academic year (July), students will have finished their Postgraduate Diploma and completed a significant amount of MA introductory study. In July, students commence their major projects for the MA degree which involve a further 10-week period of full-time study with a final assessment towards the end of September.
Entry Requirements
Candidates registered on the postgraduate diploma will have fulfilled the entry requirements for the MA, subject to the negotiation of an appropriate MA project.
For further information about the MA Design please click here
Specialist Facilities
You will be working in the purpose-built conservation workshop which has excellent natural and artificial light. You will have your
own workbench and storage for personal tools and equipment. A well-equipped analytical lab is available for research purposes and there is
access to the pottery where students can have weekly evening sessions on new-making.
Programme Leader
Lorna Calcutt MA ACR
With a background in Art and Design, the History of Fine and Decorative Arts and ceramics and glass conservation, Lorna is in charge of the
ceramics conservation programmes as well as being the lead MA Conservation Studies tutor.
Associate Tutor
Penny Cadwell ACR
Penny has 30 years of experience running a small conservation of ceramics business. This involves working for clients worldwide. Penny is
involved with the professional development of ceramics conservators and training of students.
Programme Advisor
Reino Liefkes
Curator of Ceramics, the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Errol Manners BADA member
Specialist in European & English Porcelain.
Students have been employed or had work placements with The British Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, National Museums;
Liverpool, The Ashmolean Museum,The Metropolitan Museum, New York, Plowden and Smith and Sarah Peek Conservation amongst others.
For student profiles please click here
To view our conservation students blog please click here
Admissions
Application forms and further information on how to apply click here. An admissions panel, including a programme tutor, will consider your application and if you fulfil the entry requirements you will be invited to visit West Dean for an interview and practical test with the programme tutor and another senior member of academic staff.
