Why this programme

• Benefit from practical training and research-led teaching, with a high level of supervision from professionals and organisations.
• Focus on the specialist area of conservation for books and archival materials, or paper including photographic media.
• You will have hands-on access to our own world-class Hunterian collections with curatorial expertise.
• The programme is based in the Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research, in Kelvin Hall.
• We share dedicated studio/laboratory spaces with The Hunterian.
• This unique professional, collections-based teaching environment enables interactions with curatorial, collections management, scientific and public engagement professionals.
• You will share five courses with other Masters students within the Kelvin Centre; enabling an understanding of related disciplines in a wider cultural heritage context.
• You will have the opportunity to develop communication skills and collaborate with a range of students and staff.
• You will develop transferable skills within the cultural heritage field e.g., technical examination, preventive conservation, ethics, decision making, professional documentation and research methodologies.
• Placements will be offered at a wide range of institutions across the Scotland, the UK, and internationally.
• Research dissertation projects (object-based and practical in nature) will offer an opportunity for collaborations nationally and internationally.
• The city of Glasgow provides a unique location for this programme with The Hunterian, Glasgow Museums, The Glasgow School of Art and the Glasgow Print Studio on your doorstep.
• Further afield, the Kelvin Centre has links with the National Libraries of Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, National Museums of Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland, the Bodleian and The British Library, Yale University, The Smithsonian and the Getty Foundation.

Career prospects

A practising subject specialist conservator and/or cultural heritage researcher. 

Roles within collections management, archives and arts administration.

Entry requirements

• A 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification (for example, GPA 3.0 or above) in a relevant subject.
• You will also require GCSE/Higher/international equivalent Chemistry qualification. A pass in the International Academic Projects distance-learning course Chemistry for Conservators is an acceptable alternative.
• A portfolio of examples which demonstrate attention to detail and quality of finish should be made available electronically in PDF format 3 days ahead of the interview. If you are applying for the Book & Archival Materials Conservation specialism the portfolio should include at least one example related to book production or book conservation. If you are applying for the Paper Conservation specialism the portfolio should include at least one example using paper or related to paper conservation.
• Personal Statement (information about skills, experience and motivations for applying for this programme). You should indicate on your personal statement which specialism you are applying for: Book & Archival Materials Conservation or Paper Conservation.
• A sample of academic writing (extract from a dissertation, an essay or equivalent) 300-500 words.
• Previous conservation or museum experience is not an essential requirement, although it is necessary to demonstrate an interest and awareness of the conservation profession. It is recommended that candidates visit local conservation studios to gain insight into the type of work which is conducted.
• Applicants meeting these requirements will be invited to interview.
• Interviews for entry in 2025 will take place in the week commencing 17^th February 2025.

International students

We are proud of our diverse University community which attracts students and staff from over 140 different countries.

• Find out more about entry requirements and other country-specific information
• International student support & visas

How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

• A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
• A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
• Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
• One reference letter on headed paper
• Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)
• Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
• A copy of the photo page of your passport (Non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, see how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, see Application System Help.

• Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
• Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible.
• Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
• Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Taught masters degrees tend to begin in September. Research degrees may start in any month.
• Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript.
• English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
• Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.