Master of Conservation (Preparatory Programme)

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

2 Semesters

60 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

The preparatory programme is designed to provide you with a solid foundation to follow the Master of Conservation, structured in three conservation streams: Decorative Architectural Surfaces, Easel Paintings, and Stone. The programme welcomes graduate students from a range of disciplines who will follow common subjects, including other specific subjects according to your entry qualifications. You will be introduced to the significance of paintings and stone artifacts, and to fundamentals principles underpinning conservation. Emphasis will be placed on studying the materials and techniques of works of art and their physical history, which is essential knowledge for understanding works of art and plan their conservation treatment 譅and all of this in preparation for joining the two-year full-time Master of Conservation.

Practical work is a fundamental and significant component throughout the programme, and will include material testing and replica making, as well as examination and documentation of real case studies in atelier and/or fieldwork.

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The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of:

a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Conservation Studies from this University obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or
a Bachelor's degree comprising not less than 180 ECTS credits and obtained with at least Second Class (Honours) or Category II in a discipline related to Archaeology, Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Conservation and Restoration, Engineering, Fine Arts, History of Art or Physics or
qualifications deemed by Senate, on the recommendation of the Board, to be comparable to the qualification listed in paragraph (a).

Prior to their acceptance on the Course applicants must also obtain a mark of at least 60% in a test or tests as established by the Board. The test/s shall be held not later than one month before the start of the Course.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

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Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to follow other compulsory study-units according to their qualifications and area of specialisation (Decorative Architectural Surfaces/Stone/Easel Paintings).


Semester 1

General Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BLH4023	Conservation Principles and Ethics	4 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4026	Research Methods for Cultural Heritage	4 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4027	Traditional Materials and Techniques 1	5 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4031	Development of Practical Manual Skills 1	5 ECTS	(NC)

For students in possession of humanities-based qualifications: All areas of specialisation

CHE0501	Scientific Principles for Conservation: Inorganic Chemistry	4 ECTS	(NC)
GSC4500	Scientific Principles for Conservation: Geology and Geophysics	4 ECTS	(NC)
PHY1020	Basic Concepts in Physics 1	2 ECTS	(NC)

For students in possession of science-based qualifications: All areas of specialisation

BLH4018	Visual Arts: From Classical Antiquity to Contemporary	5 ECTS	(NC)

Decorative Architectural Surfaces or Stone

BLH4020	Archaeology of Standing Structures and of Paintings	4 ECTS	(NC)

Easel Paintings

BLH4021	Introduction to Museology	5 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

General Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

BLH4024	Documentation for Conservation	4 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4025	Introduction to Causes and Processes of Deterioration	4 ECTS	(NC)

Compulsory Units (Students must register for these units according to the area of specialisation) Decorative Architectural Surfaces

BLH4028	Traditional Materials and Techniques 2: Decorative Architectural Surfaces	5 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4032	Development of Practical Manual Skills 2: Decorative Architectural Surfaces	5 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4035	Practicals: Studying Decorative Architectural Surfaces	4 ECTS	(NC)

Stone

BLH4029	Traditional Materials and Techniques 2: Stone	5 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4033	Development of Practical Manual Skills 2: Stone	5 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4036	Practicals: Studying Stone	4 ECTS	(NC)

Easel Paintings

BLH4030	Traditional Materials and Techniques 2: Easel Painting	5 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4034	Development of Practical Manual Skills 2: Easel Painting	5 ECTS	(NC)
BLH4037	Practicals: Studying Easel Painting	4 ECTS	(NC)

For students in possession of humanities-based qualifications: All areas of specialisation

BLH4017	Scientific Principles for Conservation: Biology	4 ECTS	(NC)
CHE0502	Scientific Principles for Conservation: Organic Chemistry	4 ECTS	(NC)
PHY1030	Basic Concepts in Physics 2	2 ECTS	(NC)

For students in possession of science-based qualifications: All areas of specialisation

BLH4019	Architectural History for Conservation	5 ECTS	(NC)

Decorative Architectural Surfaces or Stone

ARC1012	The Archaeology of Ancient Mediterranean Civilisations	6 ECTS	(NC)

Easel Paintings

BLH4022	Baroque Paintings: Malta and Beyond	5 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for the successful completion of the Master in Conservation (Preparatory Programme): 60 ECTS credits.

By the end of the programme, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a working knowledge of scientific methods and their use to solve conservation related problems.
Identify the relationship between material structure, composition, characteristics and behaviour for wall paintings/ easel paintings/ stone and their various components.
Explain how the values of a building/ artwork/ archaeological site influence conservation decisions.
Determine the importance of value and ethics in conservation interventions and wider discussions.
Describe the processes used in the manufacture of a given decorative surface/ easel painting/ stone artifact, including materials and methods, using appropriate terminology.
Identify the most suitable documentation techniques for a specific situation, including non-invasive imaging techniques and graphic representations.

Understand original materials constituting the work of art (including minerals, pigments, binders) from a physico-chemical point of view, and how these materials interact one with the other and with the environment;
Understand the work of art they will work on from a historical, architectural, archaeological and art historical point of view;
Document and comprehend the work of art from a material point of view, including original materials and techniques, layers, causes and processes of deterioration;
Grasp principles and ethics of conservation and research methods which are going to be fundamental in their professional career to work ethically and responsibly.

Specifically, the Learning Outcomes for the Preparatory Programme are as follows:

Subject knowledge and understanding

Upon successfully completing the Preparatory Programme, you will be able to:

Demonstrate a working knowledge of scientific methods and their use to solve conservation related problems;
Identify the relationship between material structure, composition, characteristics and behaviour for wall paintings / easel paintings / stone and their various components;
Explain how the values of a building/artwork/archaeological site influence conservation decisions;
Determine the importance of value and ethics in conservation interventions and wider discussion;
Describe the processes used in the manufacture of a given decorative surface / easel painting / stone artifact, including materials and methods, using appropriate terminology;
Identify the most suitable documentation techniques for a specific situation, including noninvasive imaging techniques and graphic representations.

Intellectual development

Upon successfully completing the Preparatory Programme, you will be able to:

Reflect critically on conservation practice both of published case studies and case studies analysed in person (experienced first-hand with site work/atelier work and/or through site/museum visits when the decorative surface/artwork is the object of conservation;
Formulate ethical and values-based courses of action regarding the conservation of cultural heritage;
Engage in and adopt a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, in constant conversation with different expertise in the field;
Apply in all conservation decisions a knowledge based criticism, ethical and values-based.

Key/transferable skills

Upon successfully completing the Preparatory Programme, you will be able to:

Conduct simple laboratory tests to solve conservation-related problems, taking care of health and safety considerations and predict the behaviour of materials depending on their characteristics and their environment;
Determine the principal stages of development of a historic building or artwork and critically assess its key values;
Demonstrate how conservation ethics influence the decision-making process, in conservation and beyond;
Assess and systematically describe an architectural decorative surface / easel painting / stone artifact, identifying key stages and events in the history of the object through the examination of its materials and workmanship;
Exhibit the ability to handle traditional tools correctly and to choose and use traditional materials in a suitable manner to produce a replica of an architectural decorative surface / easel painting / stone artifact;
Generate a suitable record (documentation) of simple conservation interventions, making correct use of common procedures and conventions;
Produce professionally written reports on laboratory work and site work activities and research;
Develop good practical and manual skills and carry them out independently, and develop reflective learning, with the production of a journal/reflective diary throughout their practical sessions.

Other skills relevant to employability and personal development

Upon successfully completing the Preparatory Programme, you will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, and to deal and discuss with other professionals working in related fields (architects, engineers, conservation scientists, curators, art historians) common issues;
Exhibit the ability to effectively communicate their findings and thoughts to their peers, supervisors, professionals working in related fields, and also people working in other unrelated fields;
Develop good time management and organisationalskills, delivering reports, assignments and concluding practical work according to given and negotiated deadlines;
Generate written documents which are explicative, clear, synthetic, according to negotiated deadlines.

Non EU Applicants:

TBA

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The transferable skills gained from this preparatory programme will suitably prepare you to enter an Master of Conservation (Decorative Architectural Surfaces/Easel Paintings/Stone), both in terms of knowledge and practical skills, and can also serve as a platform for you to either join other MSc or take up an occupation in a related heritage or other sector.

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