Conservation Practice (MSc)

How will I be taught?

Our theory into practice approach means that we teach conservation through a tailored suite of theory modules delivered through seminars and lectures which support the practical conservation laboratory classes that you begin in Week 1. You’re supported to immerse yourself in the conservation workplace through an 8-week summer placement in a partner museum or related heritage organisation between your two years of study.

You acquire and apply your theoretical understanding of material structure and decay, conservation methods, ethical approaches and professional frameworks to the practical treatment of archaeological and historic objects. You receive one-to-one tuition from experienced conservators to develop your problem solving and decision-making approaches and your hand skills. Independent study guided reflective laboratory practice and self-directed learning elevate your knowledge and understanding.

Learning outcomes for your modules are correlated to the Institute for Conservation Novice to Expert Scale, allowing you to evidence your competence according to an established professional framework.

This programme is taught by expert academic staff and by external speakers. You are expected to attend all lectures, laboratory sessions and other timetabled sessions. You’ll receive tailored supervision to help you complete the dissertation and will be expected to engage in considerable independent study. Our core dissertation preparation module prepares you for this individual research experience.  

How will I be assessed?

Assessments on the programme allow you to develop and demonstrate key attributes for employability and encompass a range of activities that you would carry out in the workplace as a professional conservator, as well as your academic credentials. Example assessments include:

• Essays
• Oral presentations
• Reflective learning logs
• Professional reports
• Portfolios
• Practical outcomes of treatments
• Laboratory documentation
• Treatment reports
• Project reports

This range of assessment ensures that you have developed and can evidence a broad range of practical and theoretical skills, knowledge and communication methods by the completion of the course.

On successful completion of the taught elements of the programme, you’ll progress to a dissertation of up to 15,000 words. This self-regulated period of study is ideal preparation for progression to PhD.

How will I be supported?

All modules are comprehensively supported by Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Blackboard, where you’ll find course materials and links to related materials. You’ll also be supervised when undertaking your dissertation. Supervision will include scheduled regular meetings to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance; and provide written feedback on draft dissertation contents.  

 

Feedback   
You’ll receive feedback on all assessments and will also have access to formative feedback in practical class settings and in tutorials.

Personal Tutor  
You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who offers one-to-one time in set office hours during teaching weeks and welcomes email contact. 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 can be addressed to the School’s Director of Postgraduate Taught.  

 

Research community  
An active research seminar programme in archaeology and conservation, along with interdisciplinary postgraduate research seminars provide opportunities for discussion across the School and the University and provides a creative environment in which you’ll be encouraged to develop your own ideas.

 

Facilities   
You’ll have access to the archaeology and conservation laboratories which include dedicated suites for:

• Object treatment
• Laser cleaning
• Airbrasion
• Waterlogged artefacts, including freeze-drying
• Sample preparation
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Optical microscopy
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry and Raman Spectroscopy
• Wet chemistry and Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy
• Climatic simulation, UV ageing and spectrophotometry
• X-radiography and portable X-Ray Fluorescence
• Photography, laser scanning and Reflectance Transformation Imaging

 

There is a dedicated conservation laboratory reference library in addition to the Cardiff University libraries which hold over 1.3 million printed books and 775k online books and journals including an extensive, established and wide ranging archaeological and conservation collection. 

What skills will I practise and develop?

You will acquire a broad range of skills including the ability to:
Knowledge & Understanding:

• Systematically comprehend the link between structure and deterioration of cultural heritage materials and how deterioration is related to environmental parameters.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of interventive and preventive conservation methods and materials and their appropriate application to cultural heritage.
• Apply a comprehensive intellectual framework for the effective interpretation and evaluation of objects, collections, and evidence from research and written sources.
• Convey knowledge of established professional frameworks and codes of conduct and how to apply these appropriately in practice.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critically evaluate the condition and conservation requirements of cultural heritage artefacts and generate evidence-based proposals for their preservation.
• Design, justify, execute and interpret appropriate and detailed analytical investigation of objects and materials, considering ethics and cultural context.
• Compile and integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives when generating conservation treatment plans.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Develop a detailed understanding and critical appreciation of conservation theory and practice and apply this to project management and conservation of objects.
• Evidence competence in the use of equipment and instrumental tools and the development of practical conservation and analysis skills.
• Operate safely in laboratory environments and understand, generate and observe health, safety and environment standards and procedures, such as risk assessments.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Use bibliographic and other research techniques critically to interrogate specialist topics in detail.
• Generate clear, concise and persuasive oral and written communications to suit a range of audiences.
• Evidence critical self-awareness, self-reflection, self-management and the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience.
• Demonstrate a commitment to professional development and the ability to undertake self-directed, original work which contributes to the conservation profession and society.