Although we cannot guarantee you employment on graduation we take very seriously our responsibility for helping you to progress successfully. As part of your programme of study you will acquire business skills and receive careers advice from practising professionals. Some of our graduates set up their own businesses and others find employment with a range of individuals and organisations around the world.

NAOKO FUKUMARU OBJECT CONSERVATOR, FACTUM ARTE, BASED IN MADRID AND LONDON
STUDIED POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA CONSERVATION-RESTORATION CERAMICS AND RELATED MATERIALS
There was no established college to learn conservation of ceramics and glass in Japan. When I visited West Dean College on the open day, I liked the friendly atmosphere and fell in love with the historical building and the wonderful surroundings.
West Dean has a unique working environment (quiet, low number of students, experienced tutors and accessibility to studio from early morning to night as well as during the weekend) and I could really concentrate on what I wanted to work on there. It was a great benefit to have a degree from West Dean to get a job in the USA. The second year internship in well established museums certainly helped my career.

JON PRIVETT METALS CONSERVATOR, LONDON
STUDIED POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA CONSERVATION-RESTORATION FINE METALWORK
Having trained as an archaeologist, I was really looking to hone my skills in metalwork which has been a life-long interest. I already knew West Dean College and that it would offer me the opportunity to really expand and develop my practical skills as well as my scientific knowledge so that I could develop my career. Studying at West Dean, I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work on a really wide range of art works and interesting historic objects. Since graduating, I have been running my own studio and have worked on specific projects for the Victoria and Albert Museum and under contract to several of the leading art restoration firms. I am also now Assistant Tutor at West Dean!

RAINER GESCHKE CERAMICS AND GLASS CONSERVATOR AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION, DOCUMENTATION AND SCIENCE AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM, LONDON
STUDIED POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA CONSERVATION-RESTORATION CERAMICS & RELATED MATERIALS
Being a potter, I wanted to change my profession without completely changing direction. Building upon my previous knowledge and areas of interest, I decided to train in conservation of ceramics. A friend studied furniture conservation-restoration at West Dean and was always full of praise for the College. I noticed immediately how well looked after the students were. Everything ran smoothly, staff were kind, helpful and dedicated and the atmosphere was one of concentrated but relaxed efficiency. After finishing the programme I worked for one year in a commercial ceramic restoration workshop in London before moving to the British Museum in 2003.

JACEK WESOLOWSKI VIOLIN RESTORER, J&A BEARE, LONDON
STUDIED POSTGRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DIPLOMAS MAKING STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
I chose West Dean College because to my knowledge it was the only place I could study early stringed instrument making. The facilities in the workshop, the library, IT, exchange of ideas with students from other programmes, as well as a close working relationship with the tutor made studying a broad experience. Another advantage for me was at a personal level; my wife and I met at West Dean. A few months after graduating I was offered a permanent position in the prestigious J&A Beare fine violins restoration workshop.

KATE EDWARDS ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORER, LONDON
STUDIED GRADUATE DIPLOMA CONSERVATION-RESTORATION ANTIQUE FURNITURE
After a number of years working as a business analyst at Harrods, I wanted a total change in career. I developed basic cabinet making skills with a City and Guilds course, but in order to specialise in conservation-restoration of furniture, I found that everyone I talked to advised West Dean training. An intensive year on the Graduate Diploma under specialist tuition in a well equipped workshop prepared me for opening my own business. The reputation of West Dean helped me secure the first of many contracts to restore the antique furniture of a major City bank. I have also found that the contacts I have made at West Dean enable me to help clients with objects involving metals, ceramics and so on, as I can pass on the work to former fellow students.

KATHARINE SWAILES, TAPESTRY WEAVER, WEST SUSSEX, UK
STUDIED POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA TAPESTRY WEAVING
I came to West Dean having had a textiles based career and wanted a change of direction but to stay with textiles as an arts medium. After an exploratory short course I discovered tapestry was what I was looking for. The postgraduate diploma at West Dean is quite unique as it is a dedicated course, enabling you to focus on the discipline and within a year attain a high level of skills to move forward. For me the journey was downstairs to West Dean's professional tapestry studio, the only one in England, overseeing the production of a three and a half year commission.

LESLEY URQUHART CERAMICS CONSERVATOR, THOMAS & URQUHART CONSERVATION, HAMPSHIRE, UK
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN THE RESTORATION OF CERAMICS AND RELATED MATERIALS
I have always enjoyed working for myself, and wanted to be sure that the school I chose to further my education in ceramics conservation and restoration would prepare me for a rewarding career in my own restoration business. I wanted to study at an institution that was recognized as an excellent school, where I would receive personal tuition and attention to my needs. During my two years at West Dean I found all the staff supportive and willing to share their expertise, and a course content that was professionally structured to provide knowledge, practical skills, and a great introduction to an extensive network of antique industry contacts. Since graduating I have established a commercial conservation and restoration business with a fellow West Dean graduate, Helen Thomas-Wild.

EDWARD CHEESE, BOOK CONSERVATOR, CAMBRIDGE COLLEGES' CONSERVATION CONSORTIUM
STUDIED POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA BOOKS AND LIBRARY MATERIALS
I came to West Dean from academia. Although I always loved my academic work, I also knew that I wanted to do something practical in my career. The Book Conservation programme at West Dean combined so many of my interests that it seemed just right - visiting on Open Day convinced me that this feeling was justified. The course exceeded my highest expectations: the workshops are very well equipped and open for long hours, the surroundings, people, and atmosphere are stimulating and inspiring, and above all the tutors are excellent - their expertise, high standards, and encouragement are rare indeed. It is as a direct result of the skills I have developed in my time at West Dean that I am working at the Cambridge Colleges' Conservation Consortium.

TIM KENT, PROFESSIONAL ARTIST, NEW YORK
STUDIED MA VISUAL ARTS
I came to West Dean with 7 years of experience as a professional visual artist. I had worked as a painter in stained glass restoration and fabrication and as an independent artist helping to organize the artists group, TAG Projects. I heard of West Dean through a friend and chose to come here because it offered intense practical and theoretical work, excellent studio facilities and a wonderful peer exchange, I enjoyed the uninterrupted working time which allowed me to make critical investigations into my work and helped me create healthy working habits which have become integral to my professional practice as a full-time visual artist living and working in New York City.