Fine Art

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 education
94% 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 application
Be inspired by the unique historic character and beautiful South Downs setting
Located close to Chichester and the South Coast, with easy access to London

The Course

The Graduate Diploma in Fine Art is an interdisciplinary programme designed to provide a route into postgraduate study. As a concentrated form of an undergraduate degree, it gives graduates the opportunity to transfer existing skills. As you progress, you can work across disciplines or choose to specialise in areas such as Painting and Drawing, Sculpture, or Tapestry and Textile Art.

You can expect

Low student : tutor ratio
Dedicated individual studio space with access from 8.30am-9pm, seven days a week
Access to advanced facilities, workshops and expertise
Support in developing both interdisciplinary and specialist studio work
Support in developing critical thinking and contextual knowledge
Opportunities to display work
Support for developing transferable skills such as self-management, communication, collaboration, IT and research skills

Learning environment

A stimulating and supportive learning environment
A specialised programme of lectures, seminars and workshops
Visiting lecturers and artists
Expert support from a dedicated team of workshop technicians
Gallery visits and other external events
Contact with professional artists-in-residence based in the studios
An immersive environment with rich connections to art history, particularly Surrealism, through the legacy of College founder Edward James

Exceptional facilities

All full-time students get a large individual workspace. In addition to specialist spaces dedicated to Painting and Drawing, Sculpture and Tapestry and Textile-based work, the studios also include:

Seminar room
Materials and tool store
Small photographic darkroom
Exhibition and research spaces
IT suite with editing software
On-site Art and Conservation Library with thousands of specialist books and journals
A self-contained print room offers specialist facilities for etching, aquatint, monoprinting, woodblock and linocut
Sculpture Courtyard, which is also suitable for work in stone carving
Access to West Dean Tapestry Studio, one of the world's leading producers of hand-woven tapestry
Edward James Collection - An outstanding resource providing access to a range of significant, even iconic, works of art as a source of inspiration and research
Excellent short course programme, allowing access to a wide range of visiting tutors and specialist techniques.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, individual and group tutorials, critique sessions, oral and written presentations, external visits and self-directed research. On the Graduate Diploma you typically have around 13-14 contact hours per week.

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, workshops or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-directed study. Typically, this will involve:

Working in the studio
Developing supporting material and research portfolios
Undertaking research in the library
Reading journal articles and books
Working on specific unit assignments
Preparing presentations and self-assessments.

Overall workload

Graduate Diploma: 40% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 480 hours
Independent learning: 720 hours