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Collections Care and Conservation Management
MA Collections Care and Conservation Management
Awarded by University of Sussex
Duration: 2 years, part time
This MA provides the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for a lead role in collections care and management within a historic house context. It is aimed at conservators and curators with significant collections care responsibilities, as well as graduates from conservation or other museum related disciplines intending to develop their careers in this area.
Areas of study include:
- Understanding, monitoring and managing agents of deterioration
- Emergency/salvage planning
- Collections surveys, risk assessment and management
- Managing staff and budgets
- Collections care and the fabric of the building
- Security
- Introduction to grant-writing
- Loans, handling and packing
- Housekeeping and care of typical object types
This two year course offers a flexible study path to achieve
your MA. The curriculum is delivered over eight five-day study
blocks in themed units, spread out over the two year
programme.
Programme units cover a comprehensive programme of theory, coupled
with practical conservation exercises and visits that focus on key
aspects of contemporary collections care and management practice.
Taught blocks are supported by off-site professional practice
assignments and a dissertation.
(Subject to re-validation)
Programme Features
- A large and diverse collection at the College, comprising objects from all disciplines; the house and collection can be used by students to apply knowledge to real-life problems
- A collaborative environment with access to experts in a range of conservation disciplines
- An immersive experience that encourages joint learning and interdisciplinary practice
- Includes a broad range of transferrable skills in communication, data analysis, critical thinking, and research
- Opportunity to build professional contacts and networks
- A low student to staff ratio
- A requirement for ongoing involvement with a collection for at least one day a week during the academic year; to apply and extend the skills learned during the study blocks
Contact Hours
Teaching
On the MA Collections Care and Conservation Management you will have around 30-35 contact hours per study block, typically consisting of:
- 26-30 hours of lectures
- 2-3 hours of seminars
- 2 hours of external trips & visits (on average)
- 30 mins of one-to-one meetings/tutorials
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars and workshop or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.
Overall workload
30% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching
and learning activity.
Scheduled teaching and learning: 534 hours, Independent learning:
1266 hours.
Facilities
Facilities include an analytical laboratory and computer suite. The on-site Art and Conservation Library gives you access to specialist databases and thousands of specialist books and journals.
Collaboration with other conservation specialisms makes for a uniquely enriched learning environment.
Entry Requirements
You will need to have an upper 2nd class or above UK Honours degree in an appropriate subject, or a non-UK equivalent. You will also need to demonstrate an established relationship (employment or other arrangements) with a historic house, museum or collection that will support your professional practice-based assignments. In the absence of a BA, the requirement will be demonstrable research and writing abilities commensurate with BA level, combined with relevant professional experience, which will be assessed on submission of a portfolio of evidence.
International students will require English language CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) Level B2 or IELTS 6.5.
Programme Structure
Programme Structure
Fees
UK/EU:
- £1,593 per term (£4,779 per year)
International:
- £1,593 per term (£4,779 per year)
Included is mandatory study trip cost of £400, which typically includes tailored visits to collections/exhibitions of specific interest to the programme of study.
Additional costs
Lunch (typically 2 courses) for part time MA students: £180
pa
Accommodation and living expenses are additional, available on
request.
New Postgraduate Loans
If you are a UK student and plan to take a postgraduate Master's
course you may be able to get a postgraduate loan of up to £10,000
to help with course fees and living costs.
Tutors
Shayne Rivers is an acknowledged world expert in the conservation of furniture and Asian lacquer. She has lectured on conservation in the USA, Australia, Japan, Europe and the UK, and has been involved in the education of the next generation of conservators throughout her professional career.
Janet Sinclair has recently been appointed as subject tutor on the CCCM MA course in the School of Conservation. Janet is an art historian, curator and lecturer, educated at the Courtauld Institute, Bretton Hall and the Barber Institute, Birmingham, where her MPhil was on the history of British collecting and she taught for many years.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for this course or would like further information please contact admissions either by enquiring online or calling the number below. To make your application you will need to download and fill out our application form.
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International Students
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Apply now for Degree and Diploma study
Applications are welcome from UK/EU and International students.
The deadline for applications for 2019 entry is 1 March 2019 (with the exception of Conservation of Books and Library Materials, which is 1 February 2019).
Learn more about applying and entry
Find out about funding opportunities