Unique features

• West Dean has a large and diverse collection comprising objects from all disciplines. The collections are used by students to apply their knowledge to real-life problems
• The immersive environment encourages joint learning and interdisciplinary practice
• Regular visiting lecturers and part time tutors from public and private institutions
• Field trips to conservation studios, historic sites and exhibitions
• The programme has a high staff to student ratio
• The 36 week programme has workshop access 8.30am – 9pm, seven days a week which is exceptional in a higher education environment

Research units

The first unit introduces a range of research methods and tools appropriate to an advanced level of study in conservation. It is designed to enable the identification of research questions and methods appropriate to the development of your MA research project.

At the start of the year, Academic Research and Writing Skills sessions will introduce students to the Library’s research resources (catalogues, information retrieval, online databases and archives) as well as appropriate academic conventions for citing and referencing (Harvard).

Through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops, a range of scientific, social scientific and humanities-based research skills will be explored. Lectures and seminars will investigate the role of the conservator in diverse contexts and fields of practice and contemporary concerns and debates in conservation. This will lead students towards identifying research opportunities within their practice. Possible research questions are presented and discussed with peers and tutors with the aim of assessing their purpose and viability, identifying source material and primary research methods, possible constraints and ethical issues, methods of analysis, evaluation, and presentation. Students are expected to review a range of research skills to provide them with a broad understanding on which to develop the methodology for their final selected research proposal.

The second unit focuses on students building on their research proposal. Students undertake an ongoing literature review and outline a rationale for primary research methods, preliminary tests and analysis, and identification of systems to collect, store, sort and evaluate data. A worked-up methodology should indicate restraints and limitations on research, as well as possible dilemmas and ethical issues.
Group and one-to-one tutorials with tutors and an external mentoring visit are provided, and timelines and chapter headings are negotiated with research project supervisors. The research project is reported at the end of the study block effectively and professionally through a viva and poster presentation. 
The final unit of supported independent learning allows the student to apply and extend the experience gained in the previous research units. There is an emphasis on self-motivation and developing and documenting effective research skills and advanced practice. Research through practice is tested and informed by ethical, theoretical and conceptual analysis, culminating in the presentation of a thesis and supporting practical work to a professional standard.

This unit of study may be undertaken on or off campus provided there is agreement between the student and their research project supervisors, and students can be available for face-to-face or online tutorials.

The unit culminates with the submission of a thesis with supporting practical work. The balance of work within the project is usually 50:50 practice to theory, with the written element consisting of 10,000 words. It is possible for each student to negotiate a balance of up to 60:40 in favour of either written output or practical work so that the written component may be extended to a maximum of 12,000 words or reduced to a minimum of 8,000 words. In either case, the amount of practical work produced for assessment to fulfil the requirements of the project is adjusted accordingly. For purposes of balance, this is broadly quantified in terms of hours of practical work spent on its completion.

On the MA Conservation Studies you will typically have around 19-20 contact hours per week, typically consisting of:

• 5-6 hours of lectures or demonstrations
• 1-2 hours of seminars and peer to peer presentations
• 10 hours of workshop time with a supervisor
• 1 hour of tutorials to discuss practical projects and more formal tutorials
• For terms 2 and 3, outside of the work placement, you will continue to have full workshop access and have 10 contact hours per week in the above areas
• For term 4 you will continue to have full workshop access and have approximately 1 hour tutorial time per week

Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars and workshops or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations and undertaking and writing up your final research project.

Overall workload
Total scheduled teaching and learning: 600 hours
Independent learning: 1200 hours

• In blocks 1 - 3, 53% of your time will be spent in scheduled learning activities or under supervision
• In block 4, 6-weeks in a supervised work placement
• In blocks 5 & 6, 39% of your time will be spent in supervised activities + a 6-week supervised placement
• In block 7 , you will be expected to work independently with tutorial support

International study trips
The College continues to monitor travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office with regards to any international travel. At this time, all international travel which includes study trips will be subject to agreement by the College.

Written coursework (40-60%): including essay, report, dissertation and thesis
Practical skills (60-40%): including results of practical experiments and investigations

Students must choose from one of the following specialisms when applying:

• Books & Library Materials
• Ceramics
• Clocks
• Furniture
• Metalwork

To be eligible to study on the masters programme, you need to have a good honours degree, plus experience in the relevant conservation specialism.

Using Metalwork as an example, we would expect MA applicants to be familiar with Metals and have worked in that specialised area for a few years. You would be expected to demonstrate familiarity and experience with Metals in your application and supporting portfolio. If you don’t have this experience, we recommend you apply for the Graduate Diploma in Conservation Studies.. 

A portfolio should demonstrate your interest and experience in conservation and your chosen specialism. It can comprise sketches, photos, video evidence of you working in a conservation environment with your hands using materials such as Books, Metals, Furniture (relevant to your chosen specialism). Read our portfolio advice to learn about the general requirements, what we look for in a good portfolio, and what it should reflect.

You are asked to complete some practical tasks in your own time, which are sent in prior to the interview and will be discussed with you at the interview. You will be asked to take some video clips recording your working through these tasks. This is so we can see that you have the right level of mental agility and manual dexterity to undertake the practical elements of the course.