The School of Conservation offers you a dynamic, internationally connected and respected learning environment and our students benefit from the unique opportunity to study in a working historic house.

Students have access to and work in well-equipped professional workshops and studios. The analytical laboratory and science equipment was significantly expanded in 2019, and the facilities have been developed for materials commonly treated in the School of Conservation. 

The College has active links with the heritage sector worldwide and College alumni have gone on to work all over the world. Conservation graduates from West Dean are amongst the most sought-after in their field.

Explore and expand your work in a uniquely immersive environment with its own connections to art history.

School of Arts students enjoy exceptional studio and exhibition space. There are specialist spaces dedicated to painting and drawing, sculpture and tapestry and textile-based work.

Students have the opportunity to engage with site-specific subjects, benefitting from the heritage of founder and Surrealist patron, Edward James.

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation merged with the KLC School of Design on 31 July 2021. Students will be offered greater choice in their studies going forward, with a wider range of courses in complementary subjects.

The design school was founded specifically to meet the need for industry relevant training and this spirit of innovation has thoroughly instilled itself into all of our course developments. Our close working relationship with the design industry and our access to practising professionals is a unique feature of our courses and something which all of our students benefit from throughout their studies.

As there are limited places available on each course, we encourage you to apply early and to explore your funding options early. Full entry requirements are detailed on each specific programme page.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for UK, EU and international students are indicated on each programme page.

How you fund your study is an important consideration. A number of scholarships and bursary funds are administered by the College and students can also approach other organisations directly. Approximately 60% of our students receive some level of funding.