Conservation of Clocks (and Related Objects) West Dean College

West Dean College provides unique full-time courses in horology. Students learn professional practice in clock-making and the treatment of historic objects. At Foundation Degree level, practical exercises help you establish hand and machine tool skills relating to historic craft practices in clock-making. You also learn the theory, principles and techniques used in historic horological manufacture. This hands-on approach equips you with the necessary technical and practical skills for a career in the profession. You will work on a range of historic clocks; this bench-based activity is integrated with theory and professional practice. You will learn how to combine and use this knowledge when making treatment decisions as a professional practitioner.

There are opportunities for advanced study at Graduate Diploma and Postgraduate/MA level. Graduate Diploma students combine hand and technical skills with basic science and academic study. Postgraduate/MA level students integrate professional practice, material analysis and contextual studies into the treatment of complex, intellectually and technically challenging historic projects, including objects such as automata, equipping them to operate in a range of environments as professional conservators.

You will have a dedicated bench space in the workshop, equipped with hand and machine tools for the production and repair of clocks. There is an area for cleaning and testing completed work and access to analytical equipment.

Entry requirements for this course

Contact West Dean College to find course entry requirements.

View foundation and pathway programmes to help you meet academic and language entry requirements.