Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects (PP)
Combining specialist conservation skills with teaching in analysis and research. This practice-based MSc includes a ten-month placement, allowing you to put your knowledge into practice.
The MSc in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects (Professional Practice) combines specialist conservation skills with theoretical knowledge and a ten-month placement. You will develop the skills to research, analyse, preserve and care for historic and archaeological objects, and safeguard them for future generations.
This practical course, which is studied over two years full-time or three years part-time, is designed for those interested in a career as a conservator of historical objects, or in the fields of artefact research or collections care. While we draw students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, they share a number of essential traits, including manual dexterity, a knowledge of chemistry and the desire and commitment to work with museum objects.
Taught by qualified conservators, you will learn about conservation skills, artefact studies, methods of conservation, and how to care for collections. One day you might be looking into the ethics of conservation, the next you could be learning about chemical compositions used in the preservation of different materials.
You will spend the final year on placement. The placement year is normally spent developing your skills in a conservation laboratory at a major museum. Previous placement sites have included the Museum of London, the National Museum of Wales and the York Archaeological Trust.
As a conservation student you will have access to many of the Department’s state-of-the-art facilities, these include a photographic studio, internationally renowned research laboratories in DNA, conservation, isotope analysis, and environmental archaeology, luminescence dating as well as unique collections of artefacts.
We are also home to Archaeological Services Durham University, a leading commercial archaeological fieldwork unit. This means we can provide expert training on the latest fieldwork practices from professional archaeologists.
The Department of Archaeology at Durham is one of the largest in the world and is considered a leader in archaeological research in the UK. We have a global reputation for our academic standards and the quality of teaching. We are also highly fortunate to be based in the city of Durham which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and located near some of the country’s renowned archaeological sites, such as Hadrian’s Wall and the Saxon monastery at Jarrow.
Course structure
Core modules:
Conservation Theory and Method provides the knowledge to professionally plan the conservation of archaeological and museum objects. You will develop an understanding of the evolution of conservation, its organisation, present day aims and methods used. You will also consider how ethical factors influence the approach to work.
Conservation Skills is a practical module that gives you the opportunity to work on archaeological objects and carry out a range of laboratory, fieldwork, documentation, cleaning, adhesion and replication activities. You will learn to examine and successfully treat archaeological objects and to document the impacts of their interventions in preparation for later practical coursework.
Artefact Studies provides an understanding of the theory, practice and status of artefact studies, with a particular focus on museum collections and archives. You will learn about the physical properties and the traditional production and use of materials and products and also develop skills in handling, analysing, interpreting and recording objects by examining and comparing collections from different periods and cultures.
Care of Collections (Conservation) introduces the concept of preventative conservation and the issues involved with caring for collections. It provides a detailed understanding of the environmental factors that cause deterioration and presents ways they can be monitored and tackled.
Conservation Practice requires you to conserve three or more complex objects made of a range of materials. You will gain experience in making decisions about the conservation treatment of objects, undertaking research, 'hands on' cleaning, stabilisation and restoration work, and recording details of your work. You will also develop an understanding of prioritising and organising your work, securing materials, facilities and working with curators.
The 10-month Professional Practice Placement is a valuable opportunity to develop your skills in a professional conservation environment and to experience firsthand the responsibilities and day-to-day pressures of a working environment. Alongside your conservation skills you will begin to develop the organisation, judgement and management skills required for a career in the sector.
The first year is delivered through a mixture of University-based lectures, seminars and practical classes along with site visits. Contact time typically comprises 4-5 hours a week of lectures, 6 hours of practical work including seminars, 3 hours of structured self-development learning and up to 9 hours of conservation skills working in the conservation laboratory.
Lectures provide key information on a particular topic and identify areas for discussion and debate. Seminars and practical sessions then provide opportunities for you to further develop your knowledge and skills, based on the knowledge gained from lectures and your own independent study. The Department also hosts a programme of weekly research seminars linked to topics covered on the MSc, which will give you further insight into the subject.
You will have plenty of opportunities to spend time in the conservation laboratory, learning about methods of conservation, developing skills in handling and analysing artefacts and learning how to make decisions to help safeguard this material for the future as your ability to work independently grows.The second year is spent on an industrial placement, gaining direct experience of the practical and applied skills you will need to work in conservation.
Assessments
Assessments are rigorous and continuous throughout the course. Assessment methods vary and are designed to demonstrate your skills and understanding of the coursework. They include essays, reports, exams and portfolio write ups based on your practical work.
The professional practice placement, which is completed in the second year, is assessed by a portfolio, reflective essay and research paper.
Entry requirements
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: : A grade of ‘B’ or higher in A level Chemistry or its equivalent, A degree that included a significant science component, e.g. Biology or Material Science, An A, or B 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. Details of the course are available here.)
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 limited number of 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.
Reference requirements:
One satisfactory academic reference is required, however, an additional reference from someone familiar with any museum, archaeology, art or laboratory experience you may have is always welcome.
Application deadlines
As there are a finite number of places on this course and demand is quite high, we operate a staged admissions process with three rounds of application deadlines.
If you apply before the Application deadline for a particular stage, as shown below, you will normally receive a response on or before the Decision by date. In some instances, it may be necessary for us to roll your application forward to the next round.
All deadlines are 23:59 UK time (GMT)
Although we aim to give you a decision on your application by the listed date, due to the volume of applications this may not always be possible. Please note that we reserve the right to issue offers to exceptional candidates in advance of each deadline.
Applications received after the Round 1 deadline will be considered in Round 2. Applications received after the Round 2 deadline will be considered in Round 3. Applications received after the Round 3 deadline will be considered at our discretion only if places are still available on the course.
Applicants are strongly recommended to apply well in advance of the application deadline.
Round One:
Application by: Jan 6th 2025
Decision by: February 3rd 2025
Round Two:
Application by: March 3rd 2025
Decision by April 1st 2025
Round Three:
Application by: May 15th 2025
Decision by June 15th 2025
Tuition fee deposit
All self-financing overseas students are required to pay a £1000 tuition fee deposit if an offer from the Department of Archaeology is accepted. The tuition fee deposit is paid before the University issues a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) number, which is required in order to apply for a visa. £500 deposit is also payable by UK applicants if an offer of a place from the Department of Archaeology is accepted.
The tuition fees for 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.
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).
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