Study at a specialist college with the assurance of a university qualification. Develop your passions and reach your potential in a small, welcoming environment within a community of like-minded people.**Why choose West Dean College of Arts and Conservation?**An international reputation for excellence in conservation and arts education94% of students studying at the College* felt the programme had enhanced their skills and abilities (*2019 student survey)A rich arts environment and a focus on craft skills with vocational applicationBe inspired by the unique historic character and beautiful South Downs settingLocated close to Chichester and the South Coast, with easy access to London**The Course**The Graduate Diploma offers you the opportunity to develop the skills and competences to work towards becoming a professional horologist or horological conservator, or to undertake further professional development in horology. You will learn professional standards of conservation practice as you develop practical, theoretical and professional conservation skills. The course provides a context for the analysis, assessment and treatment of historic objects.**You can expect**To develop excellent practical skills establishing and developing hand and machine tool skillsTo learn the principles and techniques of historical horological manufacture and repairTo work on historic objects**Learning environment**High tutor: student ratioWorkshop access 8.30am-9pm, 7 days a weekInterdisciplinary environmentTeaches students to understand and apply Icon's Professional Standards in ConservationVisits from specialists from the heritage and private sectorsVisits to museums and active links with heritage bodies**Exceptional facilities**You will work in our specialist clocks workshop equipped with a professional standard range of hand and machine tools for the production and treatment of clocks. Facilities include:Individual work benches for each studentAccess to the full range of metalworking and woodworking facilities in the adjacent departmentsDigital photography facilities for the production of photographic records and documentationArea for cleaning and testing completed workIT suite with specialist databasesOn-site Art and Conservation Library with thousands of specialist books and journals**Teaching**On the Graduate Diploma you typically have around 24 contact hours per week.**Independent learning**When not attending lectures, seminars and workshop or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study for approximately 13-14 hours per week. Typically, this will involve:Reading journal articles and booksWorking on individual and group projectsUndertaking research in the libraryPreparing coursework assignments and presentations**Overall workload**Graduate Diploma: 60% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activityScheduled teaching and learning: 720 hoursIndependent learning: 480 hours

School of Conservation