West Dean College today enjoys an international reputation for providing full-time MA degrees, diplomas and short courses for students, from beginner to the advanced professional in art, craft, music, writing, gardening, food and conservation.

The College is situated at the heart of the 6,400-acre West Dean Estate, set amongst the stunning landscape of the South Downs National Park.

With its large country house style, it offers a creative educational environment, enabling you to escape the pressures of daily life and to learn new skills in an informal, relaxed atmosphere within a spectacular setting. 

Short courses normally last between one to five days and can be either non-residential or residential.

The award-winning West Dean Gardens and landscaped parkland ensure that you are surrounded by a remarkable setting and range of artefacts which many of the tutors use as inspiration for project work.

Short courses

West Dean College offers over 700 short courses each year covering a vast range of subjects from pottery, mosaic making and learning basic sewing techniques, through to woodworking, sculpture, metalworking and creative writing. From just £42, you can come and explore new subjects and ideas, develop skills and make practical and beautiful things.

An added benefit is that if you book online in full you are entitled to a 5% discount off the brochure price.

All West Dean courses are taught by practicing professionals, many of whom are world renowned in their field. Numbers of students on courses are kept low to ensure that you have the space and time needed to best develop your skills and knowledge. View our tutor profiles and images of their work on our website for inspiration when choosing a course. For further information about the short courses:

Tel: + 44 (0) 1243 811301
Email: short.courses@westdean.org.uk

Full-time Courses

West Dean College also runs a series of full-time diploma courses, including MAs validated by the University of Sussex.  Students from around the world come here to study the conservation of books, buildings, ceramics, clocks, furniture and metals, complemented by programmes in making stringed musical instruments, clocks, fine metalwork and furniture.  New for 2010/11 is our MA in Creative Writing.
 
You can specialise in Tapestry and Textile Art, Sculpture or Painting and Drawing on the MA in Visual Arts.  The College’s full-time students can attend short courses to enhance their full-time learning. For further information about the full-time programmes:

Tel: + 44 (0) 1243 811301
Email: diplomas@westdean.org.uk

Facilities

The specialist workshops and studios at West Dean College are among the best-equipped in the UK and include a pottery, forge, fine metals workshop, two naturally-lit art studios, the brightly-lit Orangery and sculpture courtyard,  purpose built for stone carving and related materials. There is also a ‘Computer Suite’ and a specialist arts-based Library.

We recommend you take advantage of the residential accommodation offered at West Dean which includes 58 comfortably furnished rooms, situated either in the main house or in the nearby vicarage. Some of the rooms feature antique furniture, private bathrooms and/or views over the surrounding Gardens, whilst others have a more contemporary feel. You can even stay an extra night before or after your course.  Partners who are not attending courses are welcome to stay at the College, sharing your room on a resident-only basis.  Dinner and breakfast is included in your stay and you have access to the house and gardens whilst here. 

Among the highlights for those staying at West Dean, are the fabulous seasonal, self-service meals.  There is a choice of two hot main courses (one vegetarian) for both lunch and dinner, homemade soups, locally-baked breads and an exceptional salad bar as well as a selection of delicious puddings, fresh fruit and yoghurt. Breakfast includes a selection of hot choices, fruit, yoghurt and cereals.

All our ingredients are traceable and, where possible, sourced locally including seasonal fruit and vegetables from the West Dean Gardens.

Location

West Dean College is situated in South East England, on the A286, six miles north of the historic city of Chichester and six miles south of Midhurst. There is convenient road access from London (65 miles) and from Gatwick , Southampton and Heathrow airports. It is within reach of Eurotunnel connections as well as cross channel ferries from Portsmouth, Dover and Newhaven. The nearest railway station is Chichester   (from London Victoria).