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Craft Practices - Musical Instruments

West Dean College

UCAS Code: FMU1 | Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

Entry requirements


UCAS Tariff

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 with an appropriate portfolio of work. You will be invited to a Portfolio interview. International applicants should provide a digital portfolio, evidence of English language ability to Level B2 (IELTS 6.0), as well as equivalent level 3 qualifications.

You may also need to…

Attend an interview

Present a portfolio

About this course


Course option

2years

Full-time | 2024

**Official Course Title: Foundation Degree Arts – Musical Instruments**

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**

If your goal is to set up an instrument-making workshop or to work in the trade, this programme is internationally respected for the high level craftsmanship students attain. It encompasses the whole field of stringed musical instrument making. This enables students to then transfer their skills to making any stringed musical instrument, including guitar and violin. Through learning and assessing the historical approach to constructing the viola da gamba, students are equipped with a broad knowledge and ability to assess construction for a wide range of stringed musical instruments.

**You can expect**

To learn basic tool skills and advance to decorative and head carving, purfling design and motif
To study instrument design, history and playing
To complete up to three instrument making projects a year (you will be able to keep the first instrument you make and keep additional instruments for a nominal fee to cover the cost of materials).
To develop skills in machine setting, woodturning, varnishing, care of timber/tone-wood
Visiting tutors in Bow-making, pigment laking, soundboard construction etc.
Playing lessons by early music professionals
To attend events such as the Greenwich International Early Music Exhibition
To have the opportunity to sell instruments through the College with the income split 50:50

**Learning environment**

High tutor: student ratio
Your own bench in the workshop with access 8.30am-9pm, 7 days a week
A professional environment that encourages a business-like approach
Lectures, tutorials and demonstrations
Study tours and visits to specialist collections

**Exceptional facilities**

You will work in the purpose-built musical instrument making workshop. Collaboration with other disciplines (e.g. metals and clocks) makes for a uniquely enriched learning environment. Facilities include:

A separate machine shop
Varnishing room
Analytical laboratory
Photography space
IT suite with specialist databases
On-site Art and Conservation Library with thousands of specialist books and journals

**Teaching**

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, external trips and visits and workshop practicals. In addition, you have personal tutorials with your subject tutor.

At level 4 you typically have around 18-19 contact hours per week. At level 5 you typically have around 16-17 contact hours per week.

**Independent learning**

When not attending lectures, seminars and workshop 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 and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.

**Overall workload**

Level 4: 53% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 633 hours
Independent learning: 567 hours

Level 5: 50% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 600 hours
Independent learning: 600 hours

Modules

HC-M1 Materials Technology: delivered in pathway workshop and cross-curricular, HC-D1 Drawing and Aesthetics, HC-R1 Study/Research Skills, HC-M2 Materials Technology (Metal/Wood): delivered in pathway workshop and cross-curricular, HC-H2 History of Craft, HC-C2M1/C/F/ME Craft Skills, HC-P3 Professional Skills incl. work placement, HC-R1 Study/Research Skills, HC-C1M1/C/ME Craft Skills, HC-P4 Professional Portfolio: student led. Modules may be subject to change.

Tuition fees

Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:

Channel Islands
£14,280
per year
England
£14,280
per year
EU
£14,280
per year
International
£14,280
per year
Northern Ireland
£14,280
per year
Republic of Ireland
£14,280
per year
Scotland
£14,280
per year
Wales
£14,280
per year

Extra funding

Funding opportunities are available to students applying to study at West Dean College of Arts and Conservation and we encourage students to explore funding options. In 2019 up to 60% of students received bursary/scholarship support. For more information visit: https://www.westdean.ac.uk/degrees-and-diplomas/funding

The Uni


Course location:

West Dean College

Department:

School of Arts

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