Degree Programme in Conservation

Conservation is an interdisciplinary area of science. The  purpose of conservation is to preserve our cultural heritage. Conservation  includes all such actions, which slow down and prevent the deterioration of  cultural heritage. Conservation can be divided into technical and preventive  conservation.

Studying Conservation

The duration of the studies is four years and the extent 240 credit points. There are six different specialisation fields: paper, furniture, painting and textile conservation, conservation of cultural historical objects and interiors. New students are admitted every fourth year, the degree title is Bachelor of Arts (conservation). The Degree Programme in Conservation provides the preparedness to work as a conservator, the specialist responsible for the protection and conservation of the cultural heritage.

The education is based on manual skills and extensive theoretical, technical and scientific education. Documentation, including material analyses, analytic photography, condition surveys and understanding cultural and art historic contexts are an essential part of conservation. Full conservation reports will be resulted after the conservation of objects. Creativity is also an essential part in solving conservation problems.

The studies consist of basic studies, professional studies and optional studies which are closely connected to the chosen specialisation field. The degree also contains practical training (30 credit points) and a Bachelor's Thesis. The subject fields are for example materials and technology, art, chemistry, analysis methods in conservation, photography, digital documentation, preventive conservation and different conservation methods which are applied in practical conservation tasks.

Cooperation and projects with working life during the study time familiarise the students with their future field of work. The working life duties may include for example research and condition surveying.

Specialisation lines

• Object Conservation
• Art Conservation
• Furniture Conservation
• Textile Conservation
• Interior Conservation
• Paper Conservation

Education in conservation is international and interdisciplinary education. Theoretical skills are combined with practical skills. The aim is to be able to independently solve conservation problems. Conservators are working as experts protecting world and national cultural heritage in wide sectors – museums, archives, libraries and in various projects. The education also gives possibilities to work as entrepreneurs.

Contact Information

Head of Degree Programme Tuula Auer
tel. +358 20 7835330

E-mail addresses: firstname.lastname@metropolia.fi