Craft Practices
Foundation Degree Arts - Books and Bindings
Campus Open Day – Friday 7 February 2025 - Register now
Virtual Open Day – Wednesday, 15 January 2025, 6-8pm - Register now
Award: Foundation Degree Arts - Books & Bindings
Duration: 2 academic years, full time (September 2025)
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.
On successful completion of this course graduates can advance into the workplace or set up as freelance makers. If however, you wish to progress further in higher education, then those who are interested in making are able to undertake an additional year to achieve a BA (Hons) Craft Practices, and potentially progress on to our MFA Crafts Practices, which has a ceramics pathway. For those interested in pursuing a career in conservation they can advance onto the Graduate Diploma and MA in Conservation Studies.
Why Study Books & Bindings at West Dean
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
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.
Stories & news
19th July 2024
Metals Conservation: 16th century padlock
By Conservation studies student, Katherine Hernon-Johnson, who specialises in Metalwork
I come from a fine art background and graduated in 2020. I specialised in sculpture exploring drawing within the theme of nature; cycles and folklore. It is subsequently where I first learnt to weld before spending time in a garage during lockdown practising my welding an...
24th July 2023
Supporting Acts: Mounting a Suit of Maximilian Armour
By Chris Arrowsmith, Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies student, specialising in Metalwork
This spring term the metals conservation students were given a whole suit of armour to play with. It turned out to be a major undertaking over three months, but one challenge in particular interested me – how on earth to mount a heavy, free-standing suit of armour? &nbs...
31st May 2023
Student placements 2023 - Where did they go?
Each year, students on the MA Conservation Studies programmes undertake a six-week work placement in industry as part of their studies. The College’s extensive links with museums, conservators and professional bodies in the heritage sector across the UK, EU and internationally, opens up an impressive range of opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in a 'real-world' sett...
15th November 2022
Ask A Conservator Day 2022
On Friday 4 November, conservators around the world - including Conservation Students and Tutors from West Dean College of Arts and Conservation - participated in Ask a Conservator day. A day that encourages international collaboration and knowledge exchange using #AskAConservator.
School of Conservation students and tutors across Furniture, Clocks, Ceramics, Books and Metals pa...
3rd March 2022
World Book Day 2022: Five books from the library collection
For World Book Day, West Dean College Librarian Teresa Shergold has chosen to highlight a selection of books from the library collection that relate to the programmes taught within the School of Conservation across clocks, metals, furniture, ceramics and books specialisms. “The books have been chosen as just a little snapshot, to reflect the range of material and objects studen...
Entry requirements
- UCAS tariff points: 120 - Completion of level 3 qualifications, 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.
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.
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].
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
Tutors
Victoria Stevens MA ACR FIIC
Subject Leader, Books and Library Materials
Victoria has worked in written heritage collections for over 25 years, mainly as a library and archive conservator and collections care adviser but latterly as a learning and engagement lead, a perfect complement to her overall collections work. In 2023 she was awarded a Fellowship of the International Institute of Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. A proud advocate for the heritage profession, she not only serves as a Trustee of the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust but also as an Arts Council Museum accreditation mentor and an Institute of Conservation accreditation assessor.
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).
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.
Kate Holland
Subject Tutor, FdA Books and Bindings
Kate Holland studied bookbinding at London College of Printing and is a multi award-winning artist bookbinder, specialising in contemporary fine bindings to commission or for exhibition. She uses traditional materials and techniques to produce a unique, modern binding that reflects the text, illustrations and typeface of the book.
Mark Cockram
Subject Tutor, FdA Books and Bindings
Mark opened his first bindery-studio in 1992 and Studio 5 Book Arts in 2003 where he continues to work and teach. His diverse work is represented in public and private collections around the world and since being elected Fellow of Designer Bookbinders he has been a regular Man Booker Binder.
Nicky Oliver
Subject Tutor, FdA Books and Bindings
Nicky Oliver owns and runs the Black Fox Bindery, based in North London. She is an active member of both the Society of Bookbinders and the Designer Bookbinders, of which she is a fellow.