F4K507 - Durham University

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Learning

The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical classes as well as an industrial placement. Typically lectures provide key information on a particular area, and identify the main areas for discussion and debate among conservators in that area. Practicals provide opportunities to develop and implement skills, based on the knowledge gained through lectures and through independent study outside the course's formal contact hours. Self-development learning packages allow participants to continue their learning in a structured way outside the practical sessions. The industrial placement forms a major part of the contact time in the programme for Professional Practitioners, allowing you to gain direct experience of practical and applied skills in Conservation. Industrial partners have included the Museum of London, the National Museum of Wales and the York Archaeological Trust.

The balance of activities changes over the course as you develop your knowledge, skills and abilities as independent learners and practitioners. The course’s emphasis on taking learning from the classroom to real-life situations in Museums and conservation laboratories, prepares you well for work or further study once you have completed the course. All teaching is delivered by qualified conservators.

In the first two terms of the course, you will typically attend 4-5 hours a week of lectures, 6 hours of practical work including seminars, 3 hours of structured self-development learning and up to 9 hours of conservation skills working in the conservation laboratory. Outside timetabled contact hours, you are also expected to undertake independent study to prepare for classes and broaden your subject knowledge. The Department also has an exciting programme of weekly research seminars and talks by visiting scholars, which you are strongly encouraged to attend.

The balance shifts in the third term, as you develop your hand skills and decision-making through supervised practical conservation work. This 11-week module leads to the creation of a portfolio of work that includes projects and reflections.

In the final year, you will spend nine months working in a conservation lab. You will gain experience working with a wide range of materials and further develop your practical skills, within a real-life working environment. A focus is placed upon problem-solving and organisational and managerial skills, under the supervision of a professional conservator.

Entry requirements

A good second class honours degree (typically 2:1 Honours) or international equivalent in any subject and a pass in Mathematics Grade 4 (or C) or above at GCSE level, or equivalent.

Applicants without a degree will be required to demonstrate sufficient academic capability to satisfactorily complete this degree. Chemistry requirements, one of the following: An 'AS' level in Chemistry or its equivalent, A degree that included a significant science component, e.g. Biology or Material Science, An A, B or C grade for Chemistry in a Scottish 'Higher' or similar high grade in the Irish 'Leaving Certificate' may also be acceptable, Completion of university level course units in Inorganic and Organic chemistry - this is particularly appropriate for students from North America, Completion of the 'Chemistry for Conservators' course. This is a correspondence course, which lasts approximately 6 months. Details of the course are available here.

All students need to be able to accurately distinguish between colours and safely handle objects, scalpels, and other conservation tools. Students may be required to undertake tests to ascertain the levels of some of these skills, if they are invited to visit. Evidence of engagement with and interest in archaeological and museum objects, while not formally required, is highly recommended. This may be in the form of employment, internship or volunteer work in a museum, historic house, or a collecting institute, such as an archaeological repository, or through archaeological site work.

Please note there are a maximum of ten places available on the course each year, due to the size of the teaching laboratory.

We will only consider applications from those where English is not their first language if they have taken a relevant English Language test which meets the minimum requirements.

Reference requirements:

One satisfactory academic reference is required.

Application deadlines

As there are a finite number of places on this course and demand is quite high, we operate a staged admissions process with two rounds of application deadlines.

If you apply before the application deadline for a particular stage, as shown below, you will normally receive a response on or before the Decision by date. In some instances, it may be necessary for us to roll your application forward to the next round.

All deadlines are 23:59 UK time (GMT)

Although we aim to give you a decision on your application by the listed date, due to the volume of applications this may not always be possible. Please note that we reserve the right to issue offers to exceptional candidates in advance of each deadline.

Applications received after the Round 1 deadline will be considered in Round 2. Applications received after the Round 2 deadline will be considered at our discretion only if places are still available on the course. Applications received after our final application deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Applicants are strongly recommended to apply well in advance of the application deadline.

Round One:

Application by: Jan 16^th 2023

Decision by: February 17^th 2023

Round Two:

Application by: April 17^th 2023

Decision by May 19th 2023

Tuition fee deposit

All self-financing overseas students are required to pay a £1000 tuition fee deposit if an offer from the Department of Archaeology is accepted. The tuition fee deposit is paid before the University issues a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) number, which is required in order to apply for a visa. £500 deposit is also payable by UK applicants if an offer of a place from the Department of Archaeology is accepted.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Full Time Fees Year 1

Home students	£14,900 per year
EU students	£32,500 per year
Island students	£14,900 per year
International students	£32,500 per year

Full Time Fees Year 2

Home students	£4,900 per year
EU students	£10,700 per year
Island students	£4,900 per year
International students	£10,700 per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.