Conservation Studies, specialising in Furniture and Related Objects - Graduate Diploma

West Dean College

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?**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**There is significant emphasis placed on developing hand skills through practical work. Your application of treatments to historic objects will be underpinned through understanding both structural and decorative materials, their properties, identification, degradation and stabilisation. Learn about interventive treatment, structural and surface stabilisation, cleaning, consolidation, restoration of losses, materials and techniques, theory and practice.Develop an understanding and appreciation of the history and cultural context of furniture and related objects and the architectural interiors they were created to be part of. Study wood and other decorative art materials associated with furniture including surface coatings: transparent, gilded, painted or lacquered.**You can expect**To develop excellent practical skillsTo learn historic making techniquesTo study preventative conservation**Learning environment**Well-equipped workshop with access 8.30am-9pm, 7 days a weekIndividual work benches for each studentDedicated finishing area and separate machine shopLow student : tutor ratioInterdisciplinary 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 bodiesWork placement in a professional studio**Exceptional facilities**The specialist furniture workshop is equipped with a full range of power and hand tools and individual work spaces for each student. There is a dedicated finishing area, and a separate machine shop. You will also have access to facilities shared with other departments, including:Analytical laboratoryPhotography spaceIT 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