Camberwell College of Arts is pleased to announce that starting in 2011 we will be running a new 2 year extended full-time MA Conservation course. This course will incorporate elements of the current Conservation provision at the College and from 2012 will be the one Postgraduate Course in Conservation at Camberwell.

This new MA Conservation course will offer students the chance to focus on one of 2 pathways:

• MA Conservation: Art on Paper
• MA Conservation: Books and Archival materials

This combination of pathways builds on areas of research already established at Camberwell and responds to developing industry requirements. The course will feature specialist taught elements for the 2 pathway's with specialist pathway projects running alongside a common taught lecture programme and key workshops. This will allow for both the degree of specialisation required in this subject at postgraduate level and a fruitful interaction between the students with opportunities for peer learning and an expanded critical discourse.

External partners who will work with the course include: the British Museum, the Horniman Museum, the V&A, the Cuming Museum, the Strang (UCL) and Kew Gardens Museums, the Cairo Museum and the Leventine Foundation.

Student will have the opportunity to work with the 'Camberwell Collection' archive and other archives within the UAL. This will provide the opportunity for a range of specialist projects and direct engagement in the issues facing the care and use of collections

Student's will have access to specialist workshops for the production of art and design alongside the specialist Conservation workshops.

The first part of the course is a shared introductory unit which brings together the students from across the 2 pathways. Following on from the introductory unit each student will then focus on one of the individual pathways;

MA Conservation: Art on Paper
This pathway focuses on conservation and preservation management of images executed on paper covering a wide range of materials including prints, drawings and watercolours with an emphasis on both conservation practice and theory.  You will have specialist classes on fixatives and consolidants, pressure sensitive tape removal, sensitive media, parchment, iron gall inks, and an introduction to photographic conservation. The course offers students a wider context for their practice with some shared theory provision and more opportunities for work based learning. 

MA Conservation: Books and Archival materials
This pathway focuses on learning structures of different historical styles of books.  It will cover the broad international and historical spectrum of bookbinding and book structures. Studio practice will include preservation management as well as related conservation techniques and related theory. The strong connections with industry partners and the Ligatus research centre will support PPD.

Projects with organisations and institutions such as Age Exchange and the British Museum will offer students case studies to analyse and work based learning opportunities.

Graduates from the new 2 year MA Conservation will be confident in starting out in the conservation profession and will be able to:

• Assess dilemmas and value-conflicts and make significant value-judgements in relation to cultural artefacts.
• Assess substantial technical problems, for instance in relation to unstable or degraded materials or the level of risk associated with treatments or strategies.
• Demonstrate a deep level of practical understanding to be applied to a Conservation issue.
• Marshal and manage a wide range of resources.

Graduates will progress into a range of career paths within the heritage industry including museum education, curation, exhibition design, tourism, museum studies as well as take on roles as Conservation professionals.

Applicants are required to have already achieved an educational level equivalent to an Honours Degree (2:1 or above) in a related subject. Applicants should ideally have experience of working or volunteering in a conservation setting.

The educational level may be demonstrated by:

• An Honours degree (2:1 or above) or equivalent academic qualification.
• Professional qualifications recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree.
• Professional experience or prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required, or.
• A combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning, which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.
• A portfolio is not a requirement for this course although it is recommended to show intricate handcraft skills or work related to conservation.  You are encouraged to bring that with you to interview. 
• Applicants whose first language is not English must show proof of IELTS level 6.5 and a minimum of 5.5 in reading, listening, writing and speaking. The University also accepts other tests. Please see the University English tests page for the equivalent scores required in these tests.

Application is made direct to CCW Graduate School Admissions, please see the address at the bottom of the page and on the application form.

If you know which of the 2 pathways you would like to apply to please state this on the application form. If you are unsure leave this information out and it can be discussed at interview. We use a standard application form for all MA courses across CCW, however if you are applying for the MA Conservation 2 year course you do not need to write a study proposal please include a short personal statement instead.

CCW Graduate School MA application form 2013 (86KB)

Please note that you can only submit one application form to the CCW Graduate School and on that form you can choose up to 3 courses in preferential order.

Completed forms can be returned by post to:
CCW Graduate School Admissions
16 John Islip Street
London
SW1P 4JU

T: 020 7514 6302

E: info@camberwell.arts.ac.uk

Or you can submit your form electronically to ccwgraduateschool@arts.ac.uk

Guidelines for electronic submission (doc)

‌International students

If you are an international student from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), there are two ways you can apply to our postgraduate courses:

1. Through our official representative in your country. Find the representative for your country.
2. If we do not have a representative in your country or you prefer to apply independently, you can complete an application form and send it directly to us in London:

CCW International Application Form Postgraduate 2013 - 2014

Completed forms can be returned by post to:

Chelsea College of Art and Design
CCW International Office
16 John Islip Street
London SW1P 4JU
United Kingdom

Or you can submit your form electronically by email to: ccwinternational.documents@arts.ac.uk

 If you have any questions or need further advice please contact the CCW International Office:

T: +44 (0)20 7514 1852 
E: ccwinternational@arts.ac.uk

Application Deadlines
The deadline for applicants who will be applying to the AHRC (or other funding bodies): 1 March 2013
All other UK & EU applicants: 1 July 2013
International: No official deadline, but you are advised to apply as soon as possible. 

What happens next?
Applications will be reviewed against the entry requirements and selection criteria for the course. You may then be invited to attend an interview at the College on a set day.

Scholarships and bursaries

Further information on MA Funding opportunities