MA Conservation of Easel Paintings

Upon completion of the MA Conservation of Easel Paintings, you will have:

• A sophisticated set of practical and intellectual skills for the conservation of easel paintings, learnt from a wide range of leading conservation professionals.
• Competency in critical thinking, the analysis of objects, images, and texts, debating ideas, and concise and persuasive writing.
• The ability to identify and evaluate the chemical, mechanical and physical properties of easel paintings and materials for conservation to inform decision making in conservation practice
• The skills and knowledge to integrate visual evidence, your own technical study, art historical research and physical history, to establish the wider context and values embodied by a painting, present a holistic description of condition and inform conservation practice
• Independently planned and implemented a wide variety of practical tasks as part of conservation treatments, and  evaluated treatment success and personal competency
• A broad-ranging view and understanding of the careers available in the cultural heritage sector.
• An extensive professional network.

Careers and employability

The MA Conservation of Easel Paintings programme is designed to produce graduates who are prepared for a professional career in the conservation of easel paintings, but also will equip you with highly transferable skills, which will prepare you for a wide range of employment opportunities, or further academic study. As well as being  equipped with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the conservation of easel paintings, our graduates will gain:

• The ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Intellectual independence and maturity; self-discipline and self-direction
• Respect for the views of others
• Project management through developing, conducting, and managing conservation and research projects independently
• Ability to work in a team, collaborate and share resources

With these skills, Courtauld graduates go on to jobs in the international art world, usually in private practice or in museums such as the National Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Getty, the National Trust, and the Royal Collection.

Students from the programme will join an international network of Courtauld alumni who work across the cultural sector and benefit from the friendships, support, and mentorship available within that community.

Programme structure

The full-time, three-year programme is delivered through lectures, seminars and self-directed study, integrated with a significant proportion of problem-based learning through supervised studio-based activities including conservation treatments and technical study of easel paintings.

Structure

Year 1

 This year focuses on the acquisition of foundation knowledge and the development and application of scientific methods. Practical work in the studio forms a substantial part of each term, beginning with replica-making and the examination of easel paintings, and then introducing the application of principles and theory of conservation to practical conservation. Other modules focus on the theory, ethics and practice of conservation, technology and history of easel paintings, art history and technical study.

Applied science is integrated throughout theoretical and practical modules. The teaching provides a foundation for understanding and identifying the condition and conservation requirements of easel paintings.

 Year 2

The majority of time in the second year is devoted to practical work in the studio, with students becoming increasingly independent in carrying out conservation work. Lectures and workshops are devoted to preventive conservation and collections care with a monitoring exercise, and advanced principles and theory of conservation.

Year 3

The majority of the academic year is spent in the conservation studio undertaking practical conservation treatments, with lectures on advanced principles and theory of conservation. One third of the final year is devoted to an independent research project resulting in a dissertation.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching: The teaching methods, modes of delivery and assessments vary according to the objectives of each module within the programme. There are a combination of lectures, seminars, practical studio sessions, workshops, and professional context visits to conservation studios and science departments, all undertaken in small classes of students. In addition, you have timetabled meetings with the tutors several times per term, both to discuss progress and general issues as well as to receive feedback after assessed work.

Throughout your degree, you will be taught by both the teaching staff of the department and professionals in the field, who bring a rich diversity of knowledge and experience to the classroom. Our faculty come from different backgrounds and are among the leading experts in their field. They have published important works about their areas of expertise and will engage you with their cutting-edge research.

Assessment: The programme involves a variety of methods of assessment:

The range of assessment methods requires students to demonstrate skills through the production of coherent written, verbal and practical responses to the questions or problems set. Assessments include essays, written exams, coursework and presentations, culminating in a viva voce examination.

At The Courtauld practical work on paintings in conservation studios accounts for the majority of the degree, which is reflected in both the credit structure and assessments. Each term you will give a presentation of studio work at “Work in Progress” meetings. You will also complete written and photographic documentation for each painting you conserve, and sit a viva voce examination at the end of the programme.

You will have to pass all modules in order to progress through the programme.

Entry requirements

UK qualifications: Successful applicants will normally hold a Bachelor’s degree in either Fine Art, History of Art, or in the Natural Sciences, and have achieved a good 2.1.

Overseas qualifications: Equivalent to a good 2.1 in a UK first degree (e.g. US applicants should have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above).

Applications: Please see ‘How to Apply‘ page for information.

Further information: In your application, you will be asked questions relating to your knowledge and experience of those fields that are not your main area of study (fine art, history of art or science). Though we do not expect candidates to have deep knowledge of all three fields, a level of interest in them is essential, and evidence of aptitude in them at GCSE level can be beneficial. Equally, previous conservation experience is not required, though some understanding of the nature of paintings conservation is desirable.

Interviews: Around 18 applicants are selected for interview for six available places, plus a short waiting list. Interviews are held online. In addition to the interviews, ​interviewees will be asked: ​to complete a practical test to assess manual dexterity and colour matching; ​to complete a short online slide test to assess observational skills; to electronically submit a portfolio with a sample of ​3-5 artwork​s they have made, ​in order to demonstrate manual dexterity and some aptitude for artistic practice; to complete a colour-blindness test since students must have normal colour vision. Further information will be provided on selection for interview.

Pre-Course Science: successful candidates who have accepted their place will be required to complete an online course in science fundamentals prior to commencement of the course.

English language requirements: If your first language is not English, we require proof of English language proficiency. If you are invited to the interview, it is recommended to submit your test results before the interview. If you are unable to do so, you will be asked to submit your test results no later than the acceptance deadline. Please see the English Language Requirements page.

Fees and funding

Fees are available on our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees are subject to change each academic year. Fee information, including what qualifies as home, EU, and overseas fees, can be found here.

Financial support for your studies:

Courtauld Institute of Art Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merits. The average postgraduate scholarship is £6,000. Applications are welcomed from Home, EU and Overseas students. Find out more about our scholarships.

Alumni Loyalty Scheme: This scheme is open to any graduate of The Courtauld Institute of Art admitted to a taught postgraduate programme of study. Recipients will receive a 10% loyalty discount off their tuition fee for the duration of the course.

Further information about grants, and bursaries to support you during your studies at The Courtauld can be found here.

Please note students on this programme are not eligible to apply for Master’s Loan by the UK government.

Support

To support you through the degree, we offer:

Wellbeing support: We have a dedicated Wellbeing team, with counsellors and advisors.

Academic Skills training: The academic skills tutor offers group and one-to-one classes to help you to develop the skills and confidence you need to succeed on the degree. We also have two Royal Literary Fund fellows who will help you with your writing skills – concentrating on how to structure and improve your writing.

Careers advice: You can access bespoke, one-to-one career guidance throughout your studies. The Courtauld Careers Service offers advice and support on exploring career and further study options, finding internships, enhancing employability, understanding and navigating the jobs and self-employment market, and making successful applications. This service is available to all graduates for up to two years after graduation.

Resources

The Conservation Department is equipped with extensive scientific laboratories and state-of-the-art facilities for the analysis of paintings and wall paintings. Both portable and bench-top equipment at the Department are available for teaching and research. The department houses major collections of easel painting samples, X-radiographs, wall painting fragments and wall painting samples from around the world, the archive of the Survey of Historic Wall Paintings in the British Isles.

Students benefit from access to a wide range of research facilities at both the Institute and other parts of the University of London, as well as other major libraries nearby. Close collaboration with scientists and conservators in the national museums and heritage organisations offers further opportunities for training and research.

The Department is also closely linked with The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Art and Conservation at the Courtauld, and the specialist collection of literature on on Asian art. Both the Conservation Department and the Ho Centre periodically hold conferences and public lectures in association with the Research Forum and museums and other institutions from outside The Courtauld, and benefit from contributions by Visiting Conservators. The department also acts as a centre for conservation and art-historical advice to outside conservators, scholars and the public.

Accessibility

The Conservation Teaching studios are in the West Wing of Somerset House, access to which is via the access-controlled doors on the Upper Terrace. For those not in possession of an Access/ID card there is an intercom connected to our 24/7 staff security control room. There is a temporary access ramp providing access into the West Wing which may not necessarily be suitable for use by, for example, wheelchair users. Thus, for those requiring level access into the Conservation Studios this can be facilitated via our main Gallery entrance between the hours of 10:00 and 18:00. The Conservation Department is located across five floors, Lower Ground Floor through to the Third Floor. The main access to each of the floors is via a staircase which is 90cm wide. There is within the department a lift which services the Lower Ground to Second Floors of the department. Access to the third floor, which houses the analytical laboratory, is via the staircase only.

Some of the teaching as well as the Library, is at our Vernon Square premises, near King’s Cross. The Vernon Square premises are fully accessible, with two internal lifts servicing all floors. There is level access throughout the premises and thus into and out of all internal rooms. Access from the street into the premises is not level and there is small incline from street to the main entrance doors. There is ramped access into the premises. The main entrance doors into the premises operate automatically.

Associated Programme Costs

Consumable conservation materials, specialist tools and equipment are provided for students’ use in the studios. However, as well as the general associated programme costs, students will need to equip themselves with a small set of tools for their personal use.

In the first year this includes a small selection of brushes, a simple surgical dissection kit, small spatula, apron, and pigment box, costing around £120 in total.

In the 2nd and 3rd years an estimated £50 per year is required to replace brushes and tools. Some students choose to build up a slightly wider range of personal tools that they then go on to use in their professional careers.