Internationally recognised for excellence in conservation, arts and design education.
Craft skills to Foundation Degree level
West Dean Fine Art Summer Show 2021
Training tomorrow's conservators
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.
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 alumni work with collections and museums of international significance or pursue their creative practice.
The College is in West Sussex in the former home of Edward James; poet, artist, designer, and patron of the Surrealist Movement, and is an inspirational setting for creativity.
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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. We look forward to seeing you in the workshops and studios again soon.
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
School of Arts Blog
RESOLVE Collective to undertake ‘Re-wilding: Coast, Countryside, City’ commission
De La Warr Pavilion, Wellcome Collection and West Dean College of Arts and Conservation are delighted to announce interdisciplinary designers RESOLVE Collective as the recipients of a major new commission, ‘Re-wilding: Coast, Countryside, City’.
School of Conservation Blog
Furniture tutor, Norbert Gutowski leaves after 25 years
Having worked at West Dean College since 1996 Norbert Gutowski is leaving us at the end of the summer term 2021. His contribution to the College has been huge and he has been ever-present for a quarter of a century. He is the stuff of legends.
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@westdeancollege: RT @AP_Magazine: Need a creative break? @westdeancollege offers a huge range of short courses, including in photography. Upcoming courses i…
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@westdeancollege: Step into the metals workshop @westdeancollege with Foundation Degree Arts - #Metalwork student Henry, as he gives… https://t.co/KxxKzAfi5Z
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@westdeancollege: Degree & diploma funding available 💥 Scholarships & bursaries are available for those joining us to study in Septe… https://t.co/4MRqfrEreE
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@westdeancollege: RT @NFUCountryside: Discover your artistic side and enter our great competition to win a voucher, worth £500, for a two-day botanical art c…
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@westdeancollege: RT @NatMuseumRN: Are you a Freelance Conservation Professional looking for an interesting new opportunity? We're hiring! Take a look at ou…
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@westdeancollege: Stunning decorative detail carved by Foundation Degree Arts - Musical Instruments student Seoyoon as part of her vi… https://t.co/6nhLQIsugJ
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@westdeancollege: RT @westdeangardens: We are recruiting for a #Trainee Horticulturist – Landscape to assist the @westdeangardens team in the day-to-day cult…
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@westdeancollege: MA Conservation Studies student Rose recently completed the #conservation treatment of this modernist vase. After a… https://t.co/Fv5sGZGcfk
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@westdeancollege: RT @ScottishField: Restoration race for the big re-opening @DLivingstoneBP @westdeancollege #Scotland #Scottish #DavidLivingstone #Blantyr…
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@westdeancollege: Did you know that letterpress printmaking is classed as an #endangeredcraft by @heritage_crafts? Help keep it aliv… https://t.co/pXs16GMkq5
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Applications open for 2021 entry
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