MA in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects (PP)

This programme is highly hands-on, giving you real-world experience working with artefacts and professional conservators. You’ll use specialist laboratories, digital tools, and conservation studios to develop practical skills, and you’ll apply these skills in real-world projects or placements, preparing you for a professional career in conservation.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Work in the Conservation Services Lab, treating objects from museum collections and archaeological excavations and gaining direct experience of professional workflows.

• Access state-of-the-art laboratories for material analysis, microscopy, and scientific study of artefacts.

• Use the digital visualisation studio to 3D-scan, create photogrammetry models, and digitally document artefacts and conservation treatments.

• Complete a professional placement or work-based project in a museum, heritage organisation, or lab, putting your skills into practice.

• Make use of the library and collections, including the Department’s research collections and archaeological museum resources, to support your research, treatment planning, and dissertation work.

These experiences ensure that you graduate with both technical expertise and professional confidence, ready to step into roles in museums, heritage organisations, or conservation labs.

Graduates of this programme are well-prepared for rewarding careers such as artefact conservator, preventive conservation specialist, heritage researcher, or museum collections manager. With practical training and a professional placement, you’ll be ready to step into museums, conservation labs, and national heritage organisations.

The programme supports your career journey in several ways:

• Durham’s Careers & Enterprise Centre provides tailored guidance, including help with placements, networking opportunities in the conservation sector, and personalised career planning.

• Most graduates secure employment within 15 months, with early-career salaries averaging around £26,500.

• Partnerships with the university’s Conservation Services Lab give students direct experience working on real collections, building industry credibility.

• The professional placement year allows you to apply your skills in real-world conservation projects under expert supervision.

• Graduates frequently take up positions in major institutions such as national museums or heritage trusts, reflecting the programme’s strong reputation in the sector.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MA, you could pursue a PhD in Conservation or Heritage Science, leveraging your placement or project experience. Alternatively, you might take up professional research roles in heritage organisations or pursue further specialist certifications in conservation, depending on your career goals.