Postgraduate

This three-year course in the conservation of wall painting, led by David Park and Sharon Cather, is based on a philosophy of minimal intervention and preventative conservation, and is open to graduates in both the humanities and sciences. The training reflects the interdisciplinary nature of conservation, and integrates science, art history, and the theory and practice of conservation.

About 8 students are accepted triennially, and the next intake is autumn 2010. The course is international in terms of its students, extra-mural instruction, and research and fieldwork programmes. Fieldwork is undertaken in Britain and abroad, with programmes during 2007-10 in China and Malta. Instruction in the first year is devoted principally to formal teaching in conservation science, materials and technology of wall paintings, conservation theory and methods, history of European wall painting, and documentation. Practical conservation - including a two-month period of fieldwork – is introduced at this stage and its proportion expands in subsequent years. The second year includes specialist instruction in the environmental causes of deterioration, scientific examination, and cleaning and consolidation, linked to departmental conservation programmes and collections, as well as extensive periods of fieldwork.

During the final year, students undertake further fieldwork and a substantial research project on an aspect of the examination, deterioration, analysis or conservation of wall paintings. In the first two years, students must pass written examinations and achieve a satisfactory standard in their practical work in order to continue. Award of the degree is based on the examination of all aspects of the student’s work.

Further details on the MA in Painting Conservation (Wall Painting)