Internationally recognised for excellence in arts and conservation.

Conservation of Ceramics at West Dean College

800+ Arts and craft short courses

Conservation and Craft skills courses -includes Metalwork, Furniture or Clocks

Study Fine Art - great studios, facilities and support for emerging artists

Explore your study options from creative short courses and professional development through to Foundation, Diploma and Masters degrees. Students achieve ground-breaking work in visual arts or deploy their skills in the conservation of our national and international cultural heritage.

Quick course finder

Studying at West Dean College

You can expect a creative environment with a forward thinking approach, professional connections and a rich heritage of creativity.

Small classes, talented tutors and exceptional facilities offer a rich study experience. Our degrees and diplomas are awarded by the University of Sussex.

The College is set in West Dean in Sussex in the former home of Edward James, poet, artist, designer and patron of the Surrealist Movement. It offers an inspirational setting for focused study, creativity and innovation.

Studying at West Dean College on a short course or for your degree or diploma, can be life-changing. Alumni are working with collections and museums of international significance or pursuing their creative practice.

We are currently accepting applications for 2018/2019.

Explore your study options

College Blog

Eva Rothschild 'The Fallowfield' at Modern Art

Posted on 24th April 2018

Following an Open Call in 2016, Eva Rothschild was selected to work with the Master Weavers at West Dean Tapestry Studio to create a new hand-woven tapestry. The resulting work, The Fallowfield, extends the artist's exploration of the meeting points between spirituality, power, visual perception and materiality.

Read article

School of Conservation Blog

Trials and Jubilations in Book Conservation: Part 1

Posted on 15th April 2018

While studying at West Dean, a key and sobering lesson I have learned is that most of the objects you will work on as a book conservator will be brown. Sometimes reddish-brown, sometimes greenish-brown, but still basically brown.

Accordingly, there was cause for celebration when The Royal Jubilee 1935 came across my bench. ...

Read article

Follow on Pinterest

Full Partner
QAA Report
QAA Action Plan
Students attending the awards day ceremony at West Dean College
Student collection award at West Dean College Easels at West Dean College

Help preserve our future

West Dean is part of a registered charity and relies on the support of generous donors, friends, legacies to help us deliver world-class education in conservation and the creative arts and maintain our award-winning gardens.

Find out how you can help support us