Care of Collections (MSc)
- Duration: 2 years
- Mode: Part time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
This vocational programme offers exceptional training in preventive conservation and the management of cultural and heritage collections, regardless of humanities or science background.
Vocational design
Benefit from exceptional training in preventive conservation and the management of cultural and heritage collections.
Expert-led
Taught by internationally-recognised experts in the field.
Real-world experience
You’ll be ‘twinned’ with a real heritage organisation, to study how it operates and how it relates to the care of collections.
Purpose-built laboratories
Bespoke conservation suite, recently enhanced with a £250,000 upgrade.
Designed with entry to the heritage profession in mind, our stimulating MSc Care of Collections programme embodies elements of art and science tailored for a career in this highly rewarding field.
Taught by accredited practitioners respected worldwide, you will become adept in the skills essential for a heritage career. These include understanding of management strategies for the analysis of organisations in context and for planning and managing change, and recognising and utilising influence techniques. Twinned with a heritage organisation in the UK, you’ll experience collection management and operation first-hand, putting into practice newly acquired skills in project design and report writing to real-world benefit.
Through the teaching and assessments, you will be encouraged to develop an understanding of the factors impacting on the care and use of cultural heritage collections and apply those lessons to real world contexts with consideration for sustainable practice.
Your strong interest in the subject is a given, but our internationally respected entry-level programme does not anticipate a high level of scientific knowledge, making it ideal for those from humanities and science backgrounds.
Celebrating the centenary of Archaeology and Conservation in 2020, we’re ranked in the world top 150 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020) while our research ranked 12th among archaeology departments in the UK (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
Where you'll study
School of History, Archaeology and Religion
Curious about the human experience across millennia and cultures, we are seeking to better understand our past, to illuminate our present and improve our future.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:1 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- If you have an arts based degree you must supply evidence of the highest level of education within science that you have achieved.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a 2.1 degree, your application may be considered on the basis of your existing higher education qualification and professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
You take a total of 180 credits of modules over three years.
This consists of 120 credits of taught modules and, following successful completion of the taught stage, a 60-credit dissertation.
As many of our part-time postgraduate programmes are over three years in duration, you will need to check your postgraduate loan eligibility status.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2024/25 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2024.
Year one
You will take modules totalling 60 credits in year one.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Approach in Conservation Practice | HST341 | 20 credits |
| Analysis in Heritage Science | HST342 | 20 credits |
| Collection Care in the Museum Environment | HST343 | 20 credits |
| Materials in the Museum Environment | HST344 | 20 credits |
| Postgraduate Skills in Archaeology and Conservation | HST500 | 20 credits |
Year two
You will take modules totalling 60 credits in year two.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Conservation Dissertation | HST592 | 60 credits |
| Assessment and Design for Collections Care | HST330 | 40 credits |
| Designing Research in Heritage Science | HST462 | 20 credits |
Year three
You will complete your dissertation (60 credits) in year three following the summer examination period.
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You will be taught via seminars, lectures and assessed work to combine theoretical knowledge with realistic practical applications, including in partner museum and related heritage organisations.
Teaching usually takes place on Thursdays and Fridays, with additional tutorials and field trips on Wednesdays.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment is via essays, exams, oral presentations and reports, to ensure you develop a broad range of skills and underpinning knowledge to become adept in appropriate communication by the completion of the course.
On successful completion of the taught elements of the programme you progress to a dissertation of up to 20,000 words. This self-regulated year of study is ideal preparation for progression to PhD.
How will I be supported?
On enrolment, you are assigned your own Personal Tutor and provided with teaching and learning resources, including Postgraduate Handbook. Additional specific module resources are made available during the programme.
We offer one-to-one time in set office hours during teaching weeks, and also welcome email contact. Additionally, you can make appointments to see your personal tutor on a one-to-one basis about any issue. Our Professional Services team is also available for advice and support.
Your personal tutor is your contact point to discuss any problems arising from the course. Further queries should be addressed to the School.
Many students choose discursive dissertations but for those preferring laboratory based projects focused on care of collections there are a wide range of analytical facilities in-house. These include:
- Analytical SEM
- Climatic chambers
- Digital microscopy
- Photographic facilities (featuring dedicated image processing laboratory)
- Computer suite
Feedback
Discussion of assignments is offered and written feedback is provided on summative assessment. You are encouraged to discuss your ideas with module tutors both in seminars and one-to-one in office hours.
What skills will I practise and develop?
You will acquire a broad range of skills including the ability to:
- talk with conservators and conservation scientists on the decay of objects
- understand simple management strategies for the analysis of organisations in context and for planning and managing change
- understand the role of units of measurement and precision in determining data collection and interpretation
- carry out independent research on specialist subjects
- exercise initiative, personal responsibility and decision-making in complex situations to offer pragmatic evidence-based solutions for problems
- recognise and utilise basic influence techniques
- present information in a professional context
- acquire the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development
Tuition fees for 2024 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £5,850 | None |
| Year two | £5,850 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2024/25 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £12,725 | £2,500 |
| Year two | £12,725 | None |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
Graduates of this and similar degree programmes have embarked on careers in a range of professions from academia, the heritage sector, journalism and law to media research (media, commercial, academic), teaching and publishing. A significant number choose to continue studies at PhD level.
Recent graduate destinations include CADW, Church in Wales, Council for British Archaeology, Glamorgan Archives, Heritage Lottery Fund, National Trust, Tate Gallery, Welsh Assembly Government and a range of universities in the UK and overseas.
Next steps
Open Day visits
Register for information about our 2023 dates.Make an enquiry
Contact us for more information about this course.International
Learn more about our truly global university.Other course options
Discover more
Related searches: Archaeology, History and ancient history
HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
