MA Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects (Diss) in Durham United Kingdom | Durham University

Merging expert conservation techniques with instruction in analysis and research. This hands-on MSc program features a year-long placement, enabling you to apply your learning in real-world settings.
The MSc in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects (Professional Practice) integrates professional conservation methods with academic theory and an extended work placement. You'll acquire the expertise to examine, preserve, and maintain historical and archaeological artifacts, ensuring their protection for years to come.

This applied program, offered as a two-year full-time or three-year part-time option, caters to those pursuing careers in artifact conservation, historical research, or collections management. While our students come from diverse academic backgrounds, they all share key qualities: technical skill, chemistry knowledge, and a dedication to working with museum collections.

Under the guidance of certified conservators, you'll study conservation techniques, artifact analysis, preservation methods, and collection management. Your studies might explore conservation ethics one day and material preservation chemistry the next.

Your final year will be dedicated to a professional placement, typically in a major museum's conservation lab. Past partners have included prestigious institutions like the Museum of London, National Museum of Wales, and York Archaeological Trust.

As a conservation student, you'll benefit from the Department's cutting-edge facilities, including a photography studio, world-class research labs specializing in DNA analysis, conservation science, isotope studies, environmental archaeology, luminescence dating, and exceptional artifact collections.