MA in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects (PP)

at Durham University

Course structure

The course is structured into six modules: Conservation Theory Conservation Skills Artefact Studies Care of Collections Conservation Practice Professional Practice. The first five are completed over the course of the first year and the sixth, Professional Practice, is completed in the second year.

Materials are delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical classes as well as an industrial placement. The balance of these types of activities changes over the course as you develop your knowledge, skill and the ability to be an independent learner and practitioner. All teaching is delivered by qualified conservators with experience in the museum sector.

A good second class honours degree (typically 2:1 Honours) or international equivalent in any subject and a pass in Mathematics Grade 4 (or C) or above at GCSE level, or equivalent.

Applicants without a degree will be required to demonstrate sufficient academic capability to satisfactorily complete this degree. Chemistry requirements, one of the following: An 'AS' level in Chemistry or its equivalent, A degree that included a significant science component, e.g. Biology or Material Science, An A, B or C grade for Chemistry in a Scottish 'Higher' or similar high grade in the Irish 'Leaving Certificate' may also be acceptable, Completion of university level course units in Inorganic and Organic chemistry - this is particularly appropriate for students from North America, Completion of the 'Chemistry for Conservators' course. This is a correspondence course, which lasts approximately 6 months.

All students need to be able to accurately distinguish between colours and safely handle objects, scalpels, and other conservation tools. Students may be required to undertake tests to ascertain the levels of some of these skills, if they are invited to visit. Evidence of engagement with and interest in archaeological and museum objects, while not formally required, is highly recommended. This may be in the form of employment, internship or volunteer work in a museum, historic house, or a collecting institute, such as an archaeological repository, or through archaeological site work.

Please note there are a maximum of ten places available on the course each year, due to the size of the teaching laboratory.

We will only consider applications from those where English is not their first language if they have taken a relevant English Language test which meets the minimum requirements.

Fees and funding
 

• Home students    £14,300 per year
• EU students    £31,500 per year
• Island students    £14,300 per year
• International students    £31,500 per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Many of our postgraduates move into an academic career, either teaching or by taking up post-doctoral research positions in universities. Others join museums or national and regional heritage organisations. Some work in professional archaeology, in national or local planning departments, while others elect to use their analytical and presentation skills to gain positions in industry, commerce and government.