Foundation Degree in Applied Architectural Stonework & Conservation

Course Introduction
See the facilities
Meet the students
Meet the staff
Examples of work

Course Introduction

If you are looking for an interesting and challenging career in the field of heritage conservation then this course might well be for you.

This unique Foundation degree is run in partnership with Bournemouth University and is a blend of both art and craft, teaching learners both the practical and theoretical skills needed to become a conservation/masonry practitioner. Weymouth College has an international reputation for its stonemasonry courses and is situated on the world famous Jurassic coast just miles from the Isle of Portland, globally renowned for its production of Portland Stone.

Whilst the majority of the course will be delivered on the Weymouth campus, the practical elements of the course will take place at the brand new Dorset Skills Centre at Poundbury, Dorchester. The Centre boasts a brand new stonemasonry workshop and classroom facilities; all transport to and from the site will be provided.

Aims:

To provide you with an essential grounding in the skills, knowledge and professional requirements of architectural stonework and conservation. The proficiency developed and practical work experienced throughout the course will enable you to make an effective contribution when working with both new and historic stonework in a professional context, making it possible for you to work as a conservator mason.

Benefits:

Exciting programme of practical activities working on site-specific projects of historic interest within the local community

Professional and inspirational staff from a wide range of industry backgrounds

Flexible delivery enabling students to work and learn at the same time (with full and part time options)

Exciting and varied programme of theoretical and practical subjects

High quality provision with access to BU resources

Regular industry liaison putting students in touch with employers who can provide high quality work placements within this specialised and growing industry

Progression/Career Opportunities:

Many students choose to progress directly into professional practice within the industry or set up their own business. There are also a number of appropriate progression courses available within the industry at various craft colleges or organisations such as City & Guilds of London Art School and the Prince of Wales’s Building Crafts Apprentices scheme.

Progression to a Full Degree:

Students who achieve the necessary standard can apply to the final year of the BSc (Hons) Archaeology at Bournemouth University or to the final year of a related Honours degree or one-year Honours top-up degree at a UK university.

See the facilities

The exterior of the Dorset Skills Centre in Poundbury

The stonemasonry block at the Dorset Skills Centre

Meet the students

Thomas (Naz) Clews

Naz joined the FdSc in Applied Architectural Stonework & Conservation in September 2007 and graduated in June 2009. Prior to joining the course Naz completed a Stonemasonry course at Lambeth College and came to Weymouth to enhance his skills.

He is currently half way through a Traditional Skills Bursary Scheme at Gloucester Cathedral and is thoroughly enjoying it!

Tom Beattie

Tom joined the course in September 2005 after a career as a Theatre Set Designer. Prior to completing the course in June 2007 Tom was offered a full-time post at a Mason Conservator at Salisbury Cathedral where he is now working. This post was gained as a result of his work experience during the summer of 2006.

Ben Russell

Ben Russell is a stone carver, letter cutter and sculptor. After gaining a merit on the two-year full-time Foundation degree in Applied Architectural Stonework & Conservation at Degree Centre Weymouth, he went on to complete a two-year Postgraduate Diploma in Historic Stone Carving at the City & Guilds of London Art School. He now lives and works in London. You can view his work at: http://www.benrussell.co.uk/index.html

Henry Skinner

Henry (pictured left - photograph by Alex Drago) chose to progress on to the FdSc Applied Architectural Stonework & Conservation course after studying previously at Weymouth College on the ICA and ACA Stonemasonry courses. Henry comments "It was a logical academic progression for me at the time. I really enjoyed studying at Weymouth College, especially the location, the friends that I made and the lecturers - their knowledge is really up there, I felt privileged to be learning from them."

"You don't find what you would typically expect at a University, but it does not advertise itself as that, it's a college so if you understand that you get what you expect. The location is amazing, there is so much to see and do, I will always consider Weymouth as a second home."

Since leaving DCW Henry spent the summer as a Stone Consrvator on the 'White Tower Project' at the Tower of London for Carrek Ltd. In September 2009 he then began studying full-time for a Building Surveying Degree. He also took the initiative to ask Carrek's contractors HRP for some surveying experience which led him to applying for his current position. Towards the end of September 2010 Henry transferred to the part-time BSc (Hons) Building Surveying and began working directly for HRP based at Hampton Court Palace. He now holds the position of CAD & Metric Survey Co-ordinator.

"Thank you to everyone who taught me at Weymouth. I learnt a lot from you all and made some great friends."