The conservation of paintings is an inter-disciplinary subject and is open to graduates in art, art history or the natural sciences.
The three-year course is a rigorous programme that combines teaching conservation theory and practice, using both subject-based learning and problem-solving practical work.
The course content is relevant to all aspects of painting conservation and how it is placed in the broadest context of historical and contemporary practice. These include interventive conservation practice, preventive conservation and collections management, conservation science and conservation research.
On graduating, students will be:
- fully aware of the practical and varied issues surrounding easel painting conservation
- knowledgeable about a specific artist or period techniques professional
- practitioners in easel conservation
On graduation, you will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to work within a professional framework in either the public or the independent sector.
Key Facts
- Full time
- 5 students
- 3 years
- English
- Home/EU fee: GBP 7,755 GBP
- Overseas fee: GBP 17,525
With about fifteen students in total, each working on two or three paintings, the Department is an exceptionally busy place and a lively forum for the exchange of ideas and exploration of treatment options, and this is actively encouraged through regular "work in progress" meetings.
Download the Conservation of Easel Paintings course handbook here.
FIRST YEAR
The first year provides a foundation of knowledge, visual and practical skills on which students will build over the duration of the course.
Classes and lectures cover the following topics: the history of artists' materials and techniques; the deterioration of paintings and preventive conservation/environmental control; documentation and technical examination of paintings; methods and materials of conservation and conservation practice.
Time is divided approximately equally between classroom and studio. Practical work starts with the group making replicas before students work individually on paintings under continuous supervision. This will commence from the end of the first term.
SECOND YEAR
The second year focuses on developing knowledge, skills and approaches.
Teaching is primarily in the studio, with projects designed to develop an understanding of conservation practice. Students develop problem-solving skills grounded in theoretical understanding and explore how to apply them in practice to a specific painting. Students work independently under continuous supervision.
Students also work in a team on an environmental survey which might focus on a problematic room, house, gallery or other space where paintings are displayed. At the end of the survey, students produce a report and practical recommendations.
Topics from the first year are studied in greater depth, including the identification and analysis of artists' materials and techniques; developments in the structural conservation of paintings on canvas and on panel; new methods of cleaning paintings and varnish removal.
In order to place the studies in the broadest context of historical and contemporary practice, there are visits to conservation studios and scientific departments in the national museums and the independent sector.
In the second and third years, there are study trips abroad to centres of excellence.
THIRD YEAR
The third year focuses on research and increasingly advanced problem- solving, planning and critical judgement.
Students are expected to gain command of the theoretical, conceptual and technical frameworks of conservation and be able to apply their knowledge and skills independently within a professional ethical framework.
A research project in the first term provides an opportunity to specialise in a particular aspect of conservation and prepare for a career path in professional conservation. Topics may be technical, philosophical, analytical or practical.
Projects are publicly presented at an annual conference (Gerry Hedley Student Symposium) that brings together students from all three programmes in the UK that study the conservation of easel paintings. The projects often achieve such high standards that they are published in conservation journals or at international conferences.
During the Spring and Summer Terms students return to conservation practical work and the completion of their treatments. By the third year students should be able to take a lead in formulating treatment proposals and discussing alternatives but the level of supervision from previous years is maintained.
Detailed information about the aims and objectives of the course can be found in the full programme specification below:
Postgraduate Diploma in the Conservation of Easel Paintings Programme Specification
Assessment
The Postgraduate Diploma is assessed on the following written work:
- Practical conservation assessment (end of Year 1)
- Exams in either science or art history, dependent on the student's first degree (end of Year 1)
- A one week "take away" essay paper, taken by all students (end of Year 1)
- Practical conservation assessment (year 2)
- Research dissertation of 10,000 words (end of Year 3)
- Practical conservation assessment (end of Year 3)
NB. At the end of year one, students must achieve a satisfactory standard in their practical work and pass the exams in order to continue.
Entry requirements
Please select your Country of StudyWe accept overseas qualifications equivalent to a 2.1 in a UK first degree (e.g. US applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above).
If you hold a qualification from outside of the UK, please feel free to contact the Academic Registry; however, please be aware that our staff are unable to confirm whether you will be invited to interview, as candidates are judged on the strength of their applications as a whole. pgadmissions@courtauld.ac.uk
Other Requirements
All applicants are expected to have an effective knowledge of English, both spoken or written. For applicants whose first language is not English, we require proof of English proficiency.
We will accept:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an overall bandwidth of 7.0 or above.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 100 on the Internet-based test (IBT) or a score of at least 600 on the paper-based test (PBT) with a score of at least 5.0 on the Test of Written English
- Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) with a minimum grade of B
- IGCSE with a minimum grade of B
- Pearson Test for English (PTE) Academic with a score of 75 or above
- CPE (Cambridge English: Proficiency) with minimum grade of C
Please note that we will not accept institutional test results.
You may be exempt from providing proof of proficiency if either of the following applies to you:
- You are a national of a majority English speaking country*
- You have an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification), which is equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree and the qualification is from an education provider in a majority English speaking country, including the UK and Republic of Ireland but not Canada.
*For a list of countries considered majority English -speaking countries by the UK Border Agency for purposes of English language proficiency, please see the 'Instructions' pages of our programme application forms.
If you are unable to book a test at a centre in advance of the application deadline, you may submit your application without an English proficiency result and it will be passed on for consideration. You should send your test result when it becomes available to you.
Foreign language requirements
A small number of the special options require students to be able to study texts in their original language. Where this is a requirement, the special options list the languages needed.
FEES 2013/14
Home/EU fee: £7,755
Overseas fee: £17,525
Fees are subject to change each academic year. You can find out what qualifies as home, EU and overseas fees here.
Funding a three-year course of study in London is a substantial financial commitment and requires careful thought and planning. The Postgraduate Diploma in the Conservation of Easel Paintings is full-time and requires you to be in the Department every day during term time.
FUNDING & SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Thanks to the generosity of many donors The Courtauld has a number of scholarships to support MA and PhD students, which may cover fees and/or maintenance.
We are now accepting applications for 2013 entry. You may apply using the application form below.
The deadline for receipt of complete applications is 3 December 2012.
Complete applications should include:
- Completed application form
- Two confidential academic references, in signed, sealed envelopes
- A transcript of your academic record from your university
- A photocopy of the photo page and relevant biodata from your passport
- English proficiency certificate (if applicable)
- If called for interview please bring a portfolio of original work (some digital images are acceptable, if transport is an issue)
NB. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview that takes a whole day. There is no admission without interview.