Professional Conservation (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Teaching critical thinking and problem-solving in conservation and heritage sciences and the design, execution and delivery of rigorous scientific research.
Problem-solving focus
Designed for conservators and science graduates.
Research-driven
Delivers design, execution and delivery of research in conservation science.
Flexibility to specialise
Specialise in areas of real interest to you and your professional ambitions.
Purpose-built laboratories
Bespoke conservation suite, recently enhanced with a £250,000 upgrade.
Taught by internationally respected researchers, this one-year programme is designed to meet the needs of conservators and science graduates wishing to expand into the exciting fields of the conservation and heritage sciences. With a focus on thought processes rather than knowledge, our aim is to produce problem-solvers and critical thinkers who can design and execute robust research which advances understanding in the sector.
Over the year of study, you will be immersed in the theory and practice of conservation and heritage sciences. Modules that challenge your preconceptions of conservation and examine the literature that underpins our profession sit alongside modules centred on skills acquisition in the investigation and analysis of heritage artefacts. This culminates in independent dissertation research which evidences your understanding of scientific process and ability to produce novel datasets.
Pursuing your studies in our suite of purpose-built laboratories, you will have access to a wealth of specialist equipment. In-house resources range from scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and raman spectroscopies to electrochemistry, spectrophotometry and x-radiography. Our collaboration with the National Museum Wales allows students to access x-ray diffraction and x-ray fluorescence techniques. We also offer specialist visualisation technologies such as digital microscopy, GIS, digital illustration and a photography suite, plus sample preparation equipment (freeze dryers, air abrasion and microbalances). We have a dedicated climatic simulation laboratory for modelling the impact of environments on heritage and conservation materials.
Our MSc students join a vibrant and supportive research and teaching environment of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral conservators and heritage scientists.
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
Academic Requirements
Typically, you will need to have either:
- a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject area such as heritage conservation, or an equivalent international degree
- a university-recognised equivalent academic qualification
- or relevant professional experience evidenced by a reference. The reference must be provided by your employer to evidence that you currently work in an area relevant to the programme. This should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
English Language requirements:
IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 in all subskills, or an accepted equivalent.
Application deadline:
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible.
Selection process:
We will review your application and if you meet 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
This is a full-time programme, taught over two semesters (one year).
You study core modules totalling 80 credits and choose optional modules worth 40 credits.
Following successful completion of the taught element of the programme you progress to your dissertation (20,000 words maximum) on a laboratory-based research topic. In some instances, this research may be included in a Cardiff based publication, with your name included on the author list.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2023/24 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2023.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis in Heritage Science | HST342 | 20 credits |
| Designing Research in Heritage Science | HST462 | 20 credits |
| MSc Conservation Dissertation | HST592 | 60 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment and Design for Collections Care | HST330 | 40 credits |
| Scientific Approach in Conservation Practice | HST341 | 20 credits |
| Collection Care in the Museum Environment | HST343 | 20 credits |
| Materials in the Museum Environment | HST344 | 20 credits |
| Advance Practical Projects | HST460 | 40 credits |
| Making Conservation Decisions | HST463 | 20 credits |
| Postgraduate Skills in Archaeology and Conservation | HST500 | 20 credits |
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?
We teach via lectures, seminars, group discussion, tutorials, laboratory classes, demonstrations and field trips.
Our focus is on interaction with staff and involvement in laboratory practice. This aims to develop the skills and the critical insight necessary to generate and execute evidence-based research designs.
The dissertation forms an important part of the programme, as does the instrumental analysis and data interpretation that accompanies laboratory practice.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment of the programme comes through a diverse range of assessment methods including essays, reports, written critique, data interpretation, oral presentation, research design and dissertation.
This range of assessment ensures that you have developed a broad range of skills, knowledge and communication methods that are of direct relevance to the design, delivery and reporting of research, while also being of relevance within many other contexts.
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?
You will have access to a laboratory dedicated to conservation research and a wide range of in-house analytical equipment and specialist laboratories to support your studies and research including:
• Analytical SEM
• Portable XRF
• FTIR with microscope attached
• Portable Raman Spectroscopy
• EIS
• X-radiography
• Climatic chambers
• Digital microscopy
• NdYag laser
• Digital photographic facilitiesObject conservation laboratories
• Microscopy laboratory
• Computer suite
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.
What skills will I practise and develop?
You will develop a wide range of skills, including ability to:
• Problem solve
• Make evidence-based decisions via reading, observation and experiment
• Design experiments to support conservation goals
• Evaluate, interpret and contextualise analytical data
• Understand the importance of sampling and sample design in conservation science
• Pragmatically integrate experimental data into conservation contexts
• Operate selected instrumental analysis techniques
• Recognise good and bad research
• Identify and define research impact within conservation
• Manage small scientific projects
• Communicate orally with specialists, non-specialists and stakeholders
• Produce writing styles to suit the needs of end users
• Influence the viewpoint of others with evidence-based argument
• Evaluate your own decisions and accept formative critique from colleagues
• Deconstruct problems and build solutions for them
Transferable Skills
• Identify professional standards and provide work output that meets these standards
• Recognise quality
• Set standards
• Communicate effectively with fellow professionals and the public
• Time manage and structure workload
Tuition fees for 2023 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 | £10,700 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2023/24 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 | £23,200 | £2,000 |
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
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No specific equipment is required.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Career prospects
Many graduates of this programme have embarked on careers in conservation within the heritage sector, while others choose to continue studies at PhD level.
Recent graduate destinations include UK organisations such as The National Trust, The National Archives, Imperial War Museum, Bath Record Office, MSDS Marine and international destinations including Yale Peabody Museum, Penn Museum, St Mary’s City Maryland, UCLA Library, Colonial Williamsburg and the Library of Congress.
91% of postgraduates from the School of History, Archaeology and Religion were in employment or further study within six months of graduation (DLHE 2016/17).
Funding
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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.
