Conservation for Archaeology and Museums MSc

London, Bloomsbury

The ideal springboard for a career in heritage objects conservation. Spend a year building your conservation expertise and laboratory skills at UCL’s Institute of Archaeology – followed by ten months on an assessed work placement in a museum or similar institution. You’ll get the foundational and hands-on training you need to make your mark in museums and heritage organisations in the UK and globally. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£39,800
£19,900
Duration
2 calendar years
4 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard and equivalent of the Principles of Conservation MA or significant professional conservation experience.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

On this 2-year programme you will train to be a professional conservator of  heritage objects. You will develop  innovative and professional  conservation skills and knowledge, and be ready to work in museums and heritage places around the world. 

In your first year you will study approaches to diagnosis, problem solving, decision making and application of conservation treatments. In the second year you will put what you learnt into practice as you enjoy your work placement.

Who this course is for

The programme is normally open only to those who have successfully completed the Principles of Conservation MA. Applicants require a qualification in chemistry (equivalent to UK AS-level qualification) and will need to provide evidence of manual dexterity. 

Experience of working with heritage collections is also an advantage. 

If you do not have the MA in Principles of Conservation, please email Dr Dean Sully for advice regarding eligibility before you apply.

What this course will give you

UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology and heritage in Britain and ranked 3rd in the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024. It brings archaeology, cultural heritage, conservation and museum studies together under one roof, making it a special and exciting place to study. 

This programme offers you many benefits and opportunities:

  • Learn from leading experts in their fields. 
  • Use of the Institute’s exceptional laboratories, equipment, archives, and collections.
  • Proximity to British Museum and the British Library, as well as UCL’s Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.
  • The Wolfson Archaeological Science Laboratories provides excellent facilities for the examination and analysis of a wide variety of archaeological materials.

The foundation of your career

Many of our graduates pursue careers in conservation in museums, and heritage organisations (in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia).

Upon completing this degree, you will also have skills well suited for jobs in sectors such as: 

  • Archaeology within HE, museums, and private companies
  • Environmental and sustainability sector
  • Journalism
  • Civil Service
  • Tourism and heritage management

Employability

The programme prepares students for entry into the conservation profession on graduation and ensures that graduates meet the challenges of a long-term career as a practicing conservator.

It also enhances career prospects by giving students transferable skills attractive to employers in a wide range of businesses and sectors, such as:

  • Theoretical and critical analysis.
  • Ability to design and carry out original research.
  • Practical heritage  skills.

You will also learn to solve problems and issues and to build positive working relationships. This means you will be a good team player, who can manage and delegate to others and take on responsibility.

Networking

The MSc Conservation of Archaeology and Museums programme draws on a global network of former graduates, who occupy key roles in heritage institutions across the world. Many continue to be involved with current students as work placement hosts, and as guest lecturers on the programme modules. The ten-month work placement in MSc year two is a key opportunity to develop substantial professional contacts prior to graduation.

The institute also organises an annual "Careers in Ruins" event. Here students can get career advice from professionals in the Heritage and Archaeology sectors. They can also network with professionals from other sectors such as Business, Law and the Civil Service. 

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical demonstrations, practical sessions and one-to-one tutorials.

The programme is assessed in year one through essays, projects and conservation practical work on museum-quality objects; and in year two, through practical projects, progress reports and oral presentation.

Contact time takes various forms:

  • Lectures.
  • Seminars.
  • Dissertation supervision.
  • Lab based tutorials.
  • Fieldtrips and placements.
  • Assessment feedback sessions.

The credit value of the module indicates the total learning hours you will spend to achieve its learning outcomes. One credit is often equated to 10 hours of notional learning, which includes all contact time, self-directed study, and assessment.

The contact hours per module are normally around 2-3 hours a week with additional self-directed study time. Outside of lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

Your dissertation module is 90 credits. The learning hours will mainly be spent researching and writing your final dissertation. You will also have regular contact with your supervisor(s). They will guide and support you throughout your work.

Modules

This programme is intended to provide you with opportunities to achieve your personal and professional objectives. It comprises three compulsory taught modules in the first year, and preparation of your dissertation. The teaching is carried out in the first two terms and practical conservation treatments are undertaken throughout the three terms.

The second year consists of a ten-month work placement and the completion of your dissertation.

You will undertake modules to the value of 360 credits with 120 of the credits undertaken in your first year. The first-year modules account for approximately 40% of the overall mark for the programme, the work placement accounts for approximately 35% and the dissertation approximately 25%. 

This degree can be offered on a part time basis. Please contact the degree co-ordinator Dr Dean Sully to discuss options.

Compulsory modules

Conservation Placement



Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 360 credits. Upon successful completion of 360 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums.

Placement

During their second year, all students undertake supervised work experience in a professional environment. 

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Institute of Archaeology (morning)

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain. Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master’s programmes, how our programmes are taught, what it’s like to study at the Institute of Archaeology and have the opportunity to speak to a relevant degree co-ordinator. Please contact Lisa Daniel, Graduate Admissions Administrator (l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Institute of Archaeology (afternoon)

The UCL Institute of Archaeology is one of the largest centres for archaeology, cultural heritage and museum studies in Britain. Join us for a Virtual Graduate Open Event to find out more about our wide range of Master’s programmes, how our programmes are taught, what it’s like to study at the Institute of Archaeology and have the opportunity to speak to a relevant degree co-ordinator. Please contact Lisa Daniel, Graduate Admissions Administrator (l.daniel@ucl.ac.uk) if you have any questions.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £39,800 £19,900

Second-year UK and Overseas students pay 50% of the UK full-time fee for the second-year internship.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no additional costs for this programme. Any costs related to fieldtrips will be covered by the department.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

UK students may apply to the Anna Plowden Trust

The UCL Institute of Archaeology has one studentship of £10,000 available to support a graduate student who is an ordinarily resident in the UK or Ireland and eligible to pay home fee rate. The deadline for applications is 1st March 2025. For further information and to download an application see here. 

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Institute of Archaeology International Masters Student Award

Deadline: 21 March 2025
Value: Up to £26,000 (1yr)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Institute of Archaeology Masters Award

Deadline: 21 March 2025
Value: £10,000 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is no application fee for this programme.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Conservation for Archaeology and Museums at graduate level
  • why you want to study Conservation for Archaeology and Museums at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Got questions? Get in touch

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