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Craft Practices
Foundation Degree Arts - Furniture
Duration: Two academic years (36 weeks each year) full time
Applications open for 2021/22
Scholarships and bursaries are available from £500 to £10,000. Find out more about funding opportunities
The Foundation Degree in Historic Craft Practices is designed to give you well-rounded woodworking theory and craft skills to set up as a professional self-employed maker or craftsperson, to continue your studies in higher education or to find employment in the creative industry sector.
Furniture making projects become more challenging as the course progresses and may incorporate your own designs. In the second year, students may choose to continue to develop their furniture making and finishing proficiency or begin to develop basic skills in furniture restoration/conservation.
You can expect
- To develop excellent practical skills
- To learn how material properties influence practice and making
- To learn historic making techniques in a modern woodworking context
- To learn from dedicated and experienced tutors who are practising professionals and well-connected in the sector
Learning environment
- Low student: tutor ratio
- Workshop access 8.30am - 9pm, seven days a week*
- Interdisciplinary environment
- Visits from practising crafts-persons and specialists from the heritage and private sectors
- Visits to museums and active links with heritage bodies
- Work placements and work-related projects
* Coronavirus update: Workshops may need to close outside teaching hours for thorough cleaning.
Hear from student Andrew Latham and tutor Norbert Gutowski
Hear from furniture student, Andrew Latham, talk about his experience of studying here and Furniture Subject Leader Norbert Gutowski.
How to apply
All applications to our full time undergraduate courses should be made through UCAS. If you only wish to apply to West Dean College of Arts and Conservation we might be able to process your UCAS application for you. Please contact us at admissions@westdean.ac.uk.
If you would like further information please contact our admissions team. Email admission@westdean.org.uk or call +44 (0)7771 505 666.
Facilities
You will work in our specialist furniture workshop which is equipped with a full range of power and hand tools and individual workspaces. Collaboration with other disciplines (e.g. metals and clocks) makes for a uniquely enriched learning environment.
Facilities include:
- A dedicated finishing area
- Separate machine shop
- Analytical laboratory
- Photography space
- IT suite
- Specialist library
The on-site Art and Conservation Library puts thousands of specialist books and journals within your reach and you can access specialist databases in the IT suite.
Find out more about the facilitiesContact Hours
Teaching
You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, external trips and visits and workshop practicals. In addition, you have personal tutorials with your subject tutor.
At level 4 you typically have around 18-19 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:
- 4-5 hours of lectures
- 1 hour of seminars
- 8 hours of supervised workshop practicals
- 1 hour of one-to-one meetings/tutorials
At level 5 you typically have around 16-17 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:
- 3-4 hours of lectures
- 1 hour of seminars
- 7 hours of supervised workshop practicals
- 1 hour of one-to-one meetings/tutorials
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars and workshop or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
Overall workload
Level 4: 53% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 633 hours
Independent learning: 567 hours
Level 5: 50% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 600 hours
Independent learning: 600 hours
Coronavirus update: International study trips have been suspended in line with current guidelines. We aim to recommence UK field trips and visits in the second semester.
Programme structure
| Year 1 / Semester 1 (18 weeks) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Christmas vacation | ||
|
HC-M1 |
10 credits (common) |
|
| HC-D1 Drawing and Aesthetics |
10 credits (common) |
|
| HC-R1 Study/Research Skills |
10 credits (common) |
|
| MID-YEAR ASSESSMENT | ||
| Year 1 / Semester 2 (18 weeks) | ||
| Easter vacation | ||
|
HC-M2 |
10 credits (common) |
|
| HC-H2 History of Craft |
20 credits (common) |
|
| HC-C2M1/C/F/ME Craft Skills |
2-20 credits (subject specific) |
|
| SUMMER ASSESSMENT | ||
| Year 2 / Semester 1 (18 weeks) | ||
| Christmas vacation | ||
|
HC-P3 |
20 credits (common) |
|
|
HC-R1 HC-C1M1/C/ME |
10 credits 1-30 credits (subject specific) |
|
| MID-YEAR ASSESSMENT | ||
| Year 2 / Semester 2 (18 weeks) | ||
| Easter vacation | ||
|
HC-P4 |
60 credits (common) |
|
| FINAL ASSESSMENT | ||
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff points: 120 Completion of a level 3 qualification, for example: A-Levels, BTEC or Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
Applicants can be considered if they can provide evidence of prior learning and should provide a digital portfolio. You will be invited to a portfolio interview. The portfolio should evidence commitment to the discipline. It could include sketchbooks, technical and material exploration, design work, project development from start to finish, detailed images of finished work. Where possible, applicants are encouraged to include a video of working on a practical exercise as part of the portfolio, of which the College can provide guidance if required (see below). If applicants cannot provide a portfolio, the College will provide a practical exercise that can be done remotely to asses mental agility and dexterity and suitability for this skills based programme.
To guide you through the process of putting together your digital portfolio, we've put together our 6 top tips; including how to select projects for inclusion, and formatting your portfolio. Read more here.
International students must provide evidence of English language ability to Level B2 (IELTS 6.0), as well as equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Fees and funding
Course fees are the same for UK and international students
£4,230 per term (£12,690 per year)
Included is mandatory study trip costs of £400, which typically includes tailored visits to collections/exhibitions of specific interest to the programme of study. Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional. Find out more
Funding
If you are a UK/EU student you may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan (tuition fees and/or maintenance loans) from the Student Loans Company.
Student scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and bursaries are available from £500 to £10,000.
Careers
Graduates have gone on to work in the sector, both as employees and self-employed, to pursue their studies in higher education, and some have established a high profile for their own designs and craftsmanship. In 2018, 75% of students were in work or study six months after graduation.
“During my two years at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation studying Historic Craft Practice – Furniture, I dedicated most of my time starting my company and preparing to work for myself after graduation.
“I knew I was interested in a certain field of craft but hadn’t found that one thing that made me excited enough to pursue it as a career. My time at the College helped me to focus on the path I am now on and for that I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Harry T Morris, FdA Historic Craft Practices – Furniture
Read Harry's full alumni profileFAQs
What level of qualification is the Foundation Degree?
The Foundation Degree Arts is equivalent to a Level 5 qualification.
Entry requirements ask for a portfolio. What is this and what should be included?
Students need to prepare a digital portfolio to evidence their manual dexterity and their interest in the area of craft practice they have chosen. It could include sketches, images of finished work, videos of them working with their hands. Read more tips on preparing a digital portfolio.
I have no experience and therefore no portfolio – can I still apply?
If applicants cannot provide a portfolio, we will ask you to complete a practical exercise to assess mental agility and dexterity and suitability for this skills-based programme. Assessments take place onsite at the college workshops or remotely when it is not possible to come into college.
What do students do after their Foundation degree?
This course is designed to give you well-rounded theory and craft skills. You can set up as a self-employed maker or find employment in this or a creative industry sector. The Foundation degree is also an excellent first step before progressing on to the Graduate Diploma in Conservation Studies if you wish to pursue a career in Conservation.
Commendations
Commendations from the University of Sussex include:
"The high quality student experience and strength of student representation within the College."
"The introduction of a “maker-in-residence” scheme to the FdA."
"Responding to employer and student feedback in extending the work placement from 2 weeks to 4 weeks to support employability after graduation."
"The range of tailored study trips to suit different student cohorts."
Tutors
Subject Leader
Associate Fellow of the HEA
Norbert is a furniture maker - conservator with almost two decades of tutoring experience, who has also worked extensively as a fine antique furniture conservator- restorer.
Head of School of Arts
DACC core team tutor
Alison Baxter started working at the College as a jewellery tutor, then as Head of Short Courses before taking on the Head of School role in 2017. She has many years experience in developing and implementing creative programmes in several Art Schools, as well as teaching across a broad range of subjects.
Program advisors
Christopher Claxton Stevens: Decorative Arts Scholar and Consultant
Richard Coles: Antique Furniture Dealer
Kate Gill: Textile Conservator
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for this course or would like further information please contact admissions either by enquiring online or calling the number below. To make your application you will need to download and fill out our application form.
Student Information
Find out more about how to apply, student life and on-site facilities, accommodation, possible funding and College alumni.
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International Students
We welcome students from around the globe. Wherever you are from you'll find like-minded fellow students with a passion for conservation and/or arts.
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