Craft Practices
Foundation Degree Arts - Books and Bindings
Campus Open Day – Friday 7 February 2025 - Register now
Virtual Open Day – Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 5-7pm - Register now
Award: Foundation Degree Arts - Books & Bindings
Duration: 2 academic years, full time
School: School of Arts
Campus: West Dean
UCAS code: FBB1
Scholarships and bursaries: See available funding
The Foundation Degree in Arts, specialising in Books and Bindings, is designed to give you well-rounded theory and craft skills in using papers, cloths and leathers to bind books so you can set up as a maker and craftsperson, continue your studies in higher education in crafts or conservation, or find employment in the creative industry sector.
In the first year students develop bench craft skills in paper and leather. Project work focuses on using appropriate materials, processes and techniques. Core studies include materials technology, technical drawing and historical/contextual studies. During this stage of the course students begin to develop an understanding of the relationship between material, technique and meaning.
In the second year of the course, students further develop their skills and begin to explore the development of historically inspired new work and/or an introduction to the conservation of books. Core studies focus on business and professional skills such as pricing, record-keeping, tax and insurance, marketing and intellectual property. Most students will have the opportunity to complete a period of work placement.
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
You can expect
- To develop excellent practical skills
- To learn how material properties influence practice and making
- To learn about historic book-making techniques and their application in contemporary contexts
- To learn from experienced tutors who are practising professionals and well-connected in the sector
- To learn in a dedicated book binding workshop
Read more about studying Books
Virtual tour & gallery
School of Arts
Explore and expand your work in a uniquely immersive environment with its own connections to art history. Our School of Arts students enjoy specialist studio spaces dedicated to painting and drawing, sculpture and tapestry and textile-based work as well as exceptional exhibition space.
Fees & funding
2025/26 Course Fees - UK & International Students
£4,933 per term (£14,800 per academic year)
Lunch, accommodation and other living expenses are additional. Find out more
A £250 course fee and £200 accommodation deposit (if residential) is required to secure your place. Details will be provided to you in your offer. Fees are billed termly in advance. Please see the Terms and Conditions for further information.
We may routinely increase our course fees from year to year for one-year courses as well as courses lasting two or more years and may review and change such course fees without notice.
Funding
You may be eligible to apply for a Student Loan to cover course fees and/or maintenance; more information can be found on the Government Student Finance website.
Scholarships and Bursaries are also available based on individual need.
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 provide a digital portfolio.
- E portfolio of work related to application (optional at point of application. A portfolio will be requested if shortlisted for an 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.
- International students must provide evidence of English language ability to Level B2 (IELTS 6.0), as well as equivalent level 3 qualifications.
How to create a portfolio
Do you need help creating a portfolio to apply for one of our FdA courses? Read our portfolio advice to learn about the general requirements, what we look for in a good portfolio, and what it should reflect.
How to apply
UCAS - If you are applying for more than one institution, all applications must be made through UCAS
Direct - If you only wish to apply to West Dean, applications for this course can be made by submitting a completed application form and emailing it to [email protected].
FAQs
What level of qualification is the Foundation Degree?
The Foundation Degree Arts is a Level 5 qualification and equivalent to the first 2 years of our BA (Hons) in Craft Practices.
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 to the BA (Hons) Craft Practises if you wished to pursue a career in making, or the Graduate Diploma in Conservation Studies if you wish to pursue a career in Conservation.
Ask a question
Need more information? Have a question? Speak to our course advisors
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44 01243 818 300 and select option 1
School of Arts blog
Interior Design
18th November 2024
Interior Design: work placement experience
- By diploma interior design student, Mira Kjöller
My name is Mira, and last year, I decided to finally pursue my dream of becoming an interior designer. After completing my BA in International Communication Management and working in marketing for several years, I realized that interior design was my true passion.
I first heard about KLC Schoo...
Short Courses Blog
14th November 2024
Reimagining winter: why this season is made for creativity
Winter doesn’t have to be bleak, in fact, if you let it, it could be your most inspiring season of the year. Kari Leibowitz, author of How to Winter: Harnessing Your Mindset to Thrive in Cold, Dark Or Difficult Times, has found that reframing how we see winter can turn this often written off season into an opportunity for renewal and creativity. Her research reveals that embracing winter&...
13th November 2024
The Veneer Press Conservation Project
Over summer, students and tutors from the metalwork and furniture conservation programs undertook the conservation of a Schubert's Veneer Press. The press had spent the last 15 years exposed to the elements in a field. Prior to this, it served for decades at the renowned Barnsley workshops, where it helped train generations of skilled furniture makers. Despite significant rust and corrosion...
13th November 2024
Tutors design bespoke bound books for Booker Prize 2024
Four Tutors from the West Dean Books Department have been involved in the highly prestigious 2024 Booker Prize for Fiction bookbinding competition. This runs alongside the Booker shortlist of six books, and each binder was given one title to design and bind with the Booker winner receiving the bound copy of their book.
As Fellows from the Designer Bookbinders Society, FdA Books and Bi...
Short Courses Blog
11th November 2024
How to make prints from used cartons with Jane Fox
As I shuffle through golden leaves and make my way into West Dean's Dilke House, I'm intrigued by the short course taking place in the ground floor studio in this beautiful corner of Bloomsbury. Tetrapak is a word I'm used to seeing as I toss the orange juice carton in the recycling bin, however, short course tutor Jane Fox is making the claim that it can be used for printmakin...
5th November 2024
Life after graduation: ceramics conservation
- By Elena Novković
Originally a Fine Artist, my career as a creative has gone through several stages of evolution throughout the years. Completing a BA (Hons) in Illustration & Visual Media at UAL expanded my artistic mediums into printing as well as digital media. Following these studies conservation sparked an interest that exponentially grew and lead to the pursuit of a ...
Tutors
Maudie Casserly MA
Subject Tutor, Books and Library materials
Maudie is a book and paper conservator and bookbinder. Having worked a various institutions and companies over the years, including the Victoria & Albert Museum and The National Archives, Maudie now works for herself, taking on commissions from museums, libraries, collections and private individuals. In additional to practical conservation and binding, Maudie also teaches a range of online classes in bookbinding to students all over the world.
Jonathan Farley MA ACR
Subject Tutor, Books and Library Materials
Jonathan is a Library and Archives Conservator with over 40 years experience. Jonathan has worked for various institutions such as the National Archive, Hampshire Record Office and The University of Hull. Jonathan is an accredited member of ICON (the Institute for Conservation).
Student Information
Discover more about student life, campus facilities, accommodation and admissions.
Find out more
Funding
We know it's not easy funding your studies, and we work hard to provide opportunities for additional financial support.
Find out more
International Students
We welcome students from around the globe. Discover more about studying in the UK, fees and student life.
Find out more