Internationally recognised for excellence in conservation, arts and design education.
Craft skills to Foundation Degree level
Exhibition opportunities for art students
Training tomorrow's conservators
Specialist arts college with Artists-in-Residence programme
Explore your study options from short courses to Foundation, Diploma and Masters degrees. Students achieve ground-breaking work in arts or craft or apply their skills to the conservation of our national and international cultural heritage. Find out more at one of our Virtual Open Days.
Degrees and Diplomas - excellence in arts and conservation
Studying for your degree or diploma could be life-changing. Students can expect a creative environment with a forward thinking approach, professional connections and strong focus on craft techniques in a variety of subject specialisms. Benefit from exceptional facilities, talented tutors and small class sizes. Many past students work with collections and museums of international significance or pursue their creative practice. The College is the former home of Edward James; poet, artist, designer, and patron of the Surrealist Movement, and is an inspirational setting for creativity.
Degree and Diploma Virtual Open Days
November is Virtual Open Month. Hear from our course leaders, current students and our admissions team. Register your place today
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Make time to make on a short course
Be inspired by one of 300+ short courses. Learn new skills or develop existing talents, with courses from beginner to advanced with expert tutors, from 1-5 days in length. Learn a new skill from home with our online arts and craft courses.
Create memories and masterpieces this Christmas and give the gift of a new skill.
See the latest information on coronavirus here.
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Our School of Design
West Dean College of Arts and Conservation has merged with the KLC School of Design on 31 July 2021. Combining our strengths, we are in a better position to meet the fast-changing needs of students, the industries we serve and the rapidly changing world beyond.
Students will also be offered greater choice in their studies going forward, with a wider range of courses in complementary subjects. The focus will remain firmly on fostering creative excellence and innovation, providing the ideal setting for students to acquire and apply the skills needed for successful careers in the arts, conservation and design industries.
Visit Our School of Design
Degrees and Diplomas
Learn more about our accredited arts and conservation courses to start or progress your career
Short Courses
Make time to make - Choose from 500+ new arts and craft courses available to book online now
Online Hub
Find digital resources to connect with the College and tutors, including our online Short Courses
Virtual Open Day - register today
Find out what makes West Dean College of Arts and Conservation such an amazing place to study. Discuss your study options with our tutors, hear from students, and ask our admissions team any questions about applying. The next Virtual Open Days are on:
Wednesday 17 and 24 November 2021
Register your place and find out moreSchool of Arts Blog
An insight into the Helen Lowenthal Collection of Historic Buildings guidebooks within the West Dean College Library
Many years ago, the Library at West Dean College was given a collection of guidebooks relating to historic buildings and gardens by Helen Lowenthal; one of our very early trustees. In this blog post, Librarian Teresa Shergold looks at this collection and reflects on its insight into the College and our Founder Edward James.
School of Conservation Blog
Ask A Conservator Day 2021
On Thursday 4th November 2021, conservators around the world - including School of Conservation students and tutors from West Dean College of Arts and Conservation - participated in Ask a Conservator day via the College's Instagram page, answering questions and sharing their experiences in the Conservation sector. Here's a recap of the day.
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Applications open for 2022 entry
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