MA in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects Dissertation

On this programme, you’ll gain hands-on, practical experience in conservation, working directly with artefacts and using specialist scientific tools. Your learning is highly applied — you’ll collaborate with professional conservators, work in advanced labs, and contribute to real museum or archaeological projects.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Work in a dedicated Conservation Lab, using equipment like freeze-dryers, X‑radiography, moulding and casting tools, and air-abrasion devices.

• Use the Digital Visualisation Lab to 3D-scan artefacts, reconstruct them digitally, and work with photogrammetry and laser-scanning software to present objects in innovative ways.

• Conduct material and chemical analyses in specialist labs to study artefact composition and treatments scientifically.

• Gain practical experience in the Sample Preparation Lab, preparing objects for analysis, cleaning, and stabilisation.

• Participate in fieldwork through Archaeological Services, working with collections from real excavations alongside professional teams.

• Access the Palace Green Library, which houses archaeology collections and source material ideal for research and dissertation work.

This combination of labs, fieldwork, and specialised facilities ensures you graduate with both the technical skills and practical experience highly valued in museums, conservation labs, and heritage organisations.

Graduates of this programme are well equipped for careers such as artefact conservator, preventive conservation specialist, heritage researcher, or museum collections manager. With a strong foundation in both practical conservation and research, you’ll be ready to work in museums, heritage organisations, or professional conservation labs — or to pursue further academic study.

The programme supports your career development in several ways:

• Durham’s Careers & Enterprise Centre provides personalised guidance, workshops, networking opportunities, and help with placements in the heritage and conservation sectors.

• Many alumni go on to work in major heritage institutions, including organisations like the National Trust and English Heritage, reflecting the programme’s strong industry links.

• Through the second-year professional placement or dissertation project, you gain practical experience and develop a track record of applied research, enhancing your long-term credibility in the field.

• Training in Durham’s conservation labs ensures you gain hands-on experience with scientific analysis and treatment of real historic materials, which is highly valued by employers.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MSc, you could pursue a PhD in Conservation or Heritage Science, building on your dissertation or lab work. Alternatively, you might explore professional research roles in heritage organisations or pursue further specialist certifications in conservation, depending on your career goals.