TRAINING DIRECTORY

Full-time and some part-time courses and programmes in the United Kingdom This is a list of the main or the longest established courses, but it does not claim to be comprehensive. To be admitted to one of these programmes you will need to demonstrate an enquiring and flexible mind, the ability to work with your hands, considerable patience, and enthusiasm for working with art or heritage items. Prior qualifications in science are generally required, and initial studies in related topics, preferably to A-Level, are generally an advantage if not a formal requirement.

To select a programme which best suits you:

• Consider the material or object type about which you feel most inspired

• Review the institutions' programmes on their website on in the brochure

• Speak to someone in that institution to discuss whether the programme might suit you. 

Selection procedures are rigorous, usually including a practical test.

Material and discipline areas

Building/Crafts   

Training Details of most craft and building conservation training (plus many other shorter courses) can be found at:

Building Conservation Directory
COTAC (Conference on Training in Architectural Conservation)
Robert Gordon University

Details of International conservation training can be obtained at:

International Centre for the Study of the Preservation & Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM)
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works
Canadian Association for Conservation
Conservation On-Line (CooL) (NB much of the UK data here is out-of-date)  

Archaeology/Objects

Institute of Archaeology, University College London

Conservation for Archaeology and Museums MSc - Two years
Principles of Conservation MA -One year

Graduate Admissions
Institute of Archaeology
University College London
31-34 Gordon Square
London
WC1H 0PY

Tel: 020 7679 7499
Fax: 020 7383 2572
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Cardiff University

Conservation of Objects in Museums and Archaeology BSc - Three years
Care of Collections MSc - One year
Conservation MSc - One year  

David Watkinson
Conservation Section
School of History & Archaeology
Cardiff University
Humanities Building
Colum Drive
Cardiff CF10 3EU

Tel: 029 2087 4249
Fax: 029 2087 4929
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Durham University

MA in the Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects

Postgraduate Admissions Secretary,
Dept of Archaeology,
Durham University,
South Road,
Durham
DH1 3LE, UK
tel: 0191 334 1109 (Monday - Thursday)
fax: 0191 334 1101
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University of Lincoln

Conservation & Restoration BA - Three years
Conservation of Historic Objects MA - One year full time, 2 years part-time

Lincoln is now able to offer a Distance Learning package which  combines flexibility, support and academic rigour. The programme can be accessed by those already working in conservation andnot wanting to take a break in their paid employment,or for Continuing Professional Development.To be eligible for this route, you will need to have either a previous undergraduate qualification in Conservation or significant equivalent experience as a practitioner.Working as a distance learner, you are able to submit projects from your employment towards  the practical modules.

Conservation Studies Graduate Diploma - One year full time, 2 years part-time

Enquiry Centre
University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool
Lincoln LN6 7TS
Tel: +44(0) 1522 882 000
Fax: +44(0) 1522 886 041
Online Enquiry 

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Applied & Decorative Arts 

West Dean College

Diplomas & Professional Development Courses

Postgraduate Degree

MA Conservation Studies

The Academic Office
West Dean College,
West Dean
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0QZ

Diploma/MA enquiries Tel: +44 (0) 1243 818 208
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Professional Development enquiries Tel: +44 (0) 1243 818 219
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City & Guilds of London Art School

Conservation Studies BA - Three years
Postgraduate Diploma: Conservation Studies 2 years
Postgraduate Diploma: Comparative Studies in Conservation Cleaning, techniques in relation to laser cleaning

For all courses above see the City & Guilds website

The School Office
City & Guilds of London Art School
124 Kennington Park Road
London SE11 4DJ

Tel: +44(0) 20 7735 2306
Fax: +44(0) 20 7582 5361

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Royal College of Art and Victoria & Albert Museum

Note: This course has unfortunately now closed

Books/Paper

Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London

Conservation BA - Three years
Conservation MA - 1 year full time, 2 years part time
Postgraduate Diploma PGDip - One year
Book Conservation FdA - in collaboration with the British Library, 2 years full time

Camberwell College of Arts
Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF

Tel: +44(0) 20 7514 6302
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West Dean College

Books and Library Materials

The Academic Office
West Dean College,
West Dean
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0QZ

Enquiries: Tel: +44 (0) 1243 818 208 or 811 301
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Fine Art/Paintings

Northumbria University

Conservation of Fine Art MA - Two years full time (study easel paintings or works of art on paper)

Ayesha Ballinger (Course Secretary)
MA Conservation of Fine Art
Northumbria University
Burt Hall
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST

Tel: +44(0) 191 227 3250
Fax: +44(0) 191 227 3250
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Hamilton Kerr Institute, University of Cambridge

Conservation of Easel Paintings PgDip - Three years full time

The Administrator
Hamilton Kerr Institute
Whittlesford
Cambridge
CB22 4NE

Tel: +44(0) 1223 832 040
Fax: +44(0) 1223 837 595
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Courtauld Institute of Arts, University of London

Conservation of Easel Paintings PgDip - Three years full time
Conservation of Wall Paintings MA - Three years full time

For PgDip enquiries:

Courtauld Institute of Arts Department of Conservation & Technology
Somerset House
Strand
London WC2R 0RN

Tel: +44(0) 20 7848 2191
Fax: +44(0) 20 7848 2878
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For MA enquiries:

Conservation of Wall Painting Department
Courtauld Institute of Arts
Somerset House
Strand
London
WC2R 0RN

Tel: +44(0) 20 7848 2848
Fax: +44(0) 20 7848 2878
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Furniture

Bucks New University

Furniture Conservation, Restoration & Decorative Arts - Three years full time
Furniture Conservation & Restoration MA - Three years full time, Three or two years part time

Campbell N Smith
Faculty of Design
Buckinghamshire College
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe,
Bucks
HP11 2JZ

Tel: +44(0) 1494 522 141
Fax: +44(0) 1494 461 392
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Rycotewood Furniture Centre

Level 3 Certificate in Making & Repairing Handcrafted Furniture City & Guilds Certificate - 2 years (one day per week)

Rycotewood Furniture Centre
Oxford & Cherwell Valley College
Oxpens Road
Oxfordshire
OX1 1SA

Tel: +44(0) 1865 551 557
Fax: +44(0) 1865 551 369
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London Metropolitan University

Furniture Restoration Foundation Degree  - Two years full time, three-four years part time
Restoration - Conservation with Professional Practice - Three years full time, Five years part time
Conservation of Decorative Surfaces MA - One year (2 days a week), 2 years (1-2 days a week)

Alex Schoulavloff
Admissions Tutor Conservation,
Sir John Cass Department of Art Media & Design
41-47 Commercial Road
London, E1 1LA

Tel: +44(0) 207 320 2825
Fax: +44(0) 207 320 1830
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West Dean College

Furniture and Related Objects

The Academic Office
West Dean College,
West Dean
Chichester
West Sussex
PO18 0QZ

Enquiries: Tel: +44 (0) 1243 818 208 or 811 301
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Preventive Conservation & Conservation Science

University of Lincoln

Forensic Conservation (Heritage Science) MSc - 1 year full time

Enquiry Centre
University of Lincoln
Brayford Pool
Lincoln LN6 7TS
Tel: +44(0) 1522 882 000
Fax: +44(0) 1522 886 041
Online Enquiry 

Northumbria University  

Preventive Conservation MA - 1 year full time (on campus or distance learning), 2 years part time distance learning

Jean Brown - Programme Leader Conservation
Burt Hall
Northumbria
University Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

Tel/ Fax: +44(0) 191 227 3250
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Stained Glass 

The University of York

MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management

History of Art Department
Vanbrugh College
University of York
Heslington
York YO10 5DD

Tel: +44 (01904) 432978
Fax: +44 (01904) 433427
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Textiles/Organics

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