Conservation Practice (MSc)

Cardiff University

This hands-on conversion programme is dedicated to teaching the next generation of conservators through problem-based learning on real heritage objects. Our flagship MSc in Conservation Practice is a carefully crafted conversion course designed to develop humanities and science graduates into emerging conservation professionals. From first principles to a sophisticated understanding of methods and materials, you’ll be introduced to interventive and preventive conservation of cultural heritage artefacts. Taking a theory into practice approach to your learning, you’ll gain hands-on experience conserving cultural heritage artefacts from museums and collections from the UK and across the globe under the guidance of leading experts in conservation practice and science. This will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills in traditional and novel conservation techniques to operate at a professional conservation level in the heritage sector, with a solid platform for pursuing future research, and a host of transferable skills in project and resource management, problem solving and communication. You’ll benefit from access to a suite of purpose-built laboratories equipped with an impressive range of equipment which has recently been upgraded following £1.5M of investment. You’ll learn to apply analytical and visualisation techniques to understand artefacts, will design and execute conservation treatments and will produce professional standard documentation. Close liaison with museums, archaeology units and heritage professionals during your study offers an immersion in the sector and develops the network of contacts that will support your emergence as a professional object conservator. We're committed to delivering programmes that are innovative and relevant, providing the best learning outcomes and career prospects for our students. In light of this, we're currently reviewing some elements of this programme. As such, the details shown are subject to change and indicative only. You can still apply now. We'll update this page and contact all offer holders when the review is complete to confirm any changes.