Future researchers
The Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation is a joint initiative of the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science and the Ian Potter Museum of Art, in recognition of the potential for unique interdisciplinary collaboration in a field of international teaching and research significance.
The cultural collections of the University provide an invaluable research and teaching resource. Linking these collections with the scientific research skill base at the University will provide a unique student experience.
The Centre offers cultural material conservation research programs at Masters and PhD level, and coursework programs at Postgraduate Diploma and Masters levels.
The 2-year Masters of Cultural Material Conservation by Coursework and Minor Thesis includes both theory and practical sessions and is intended to provide graduates with a professional qualification in materials conservation. The program allows students to major in the conservation of objects, paper or paintings, with the possibility of specialisations in other streams.
The prerequisite for entry into this program is an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline area with at least an H2B (70%) level average in relevant subjects. Conservation is an highly interdisciplinary field, and as a result, we define the term "relevant" very broadly. Students in our program have come from a range of backgrounds – from fields such as fine arts, art history, visual arts, archaeology, and anthropology through to science, architecture, botany and metallurgy. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, the important element relating to relevance of previous study is how it has informed your understanding of people, culture and material evidence.
A knowledge of chemistry is central to conservation practice. While the actual chemistry needed to complete the program will be covered in the coursework, we will assume students have certain pre-existing chemistry knowledge. We are therefore allowing some entry flexibility within the stated prerequisite, providing students with the option of determining for themselves how they gain that required knowledge. This may for instance be through introductory chemistry subjects at first year University or TAFE level.
- Future reserarcher Frequently asked questions
What is cultural materials conservation? What kind of career can I expect? What kind of course should I do? and other frequently asked questions. - Courses at The Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation
Browse through our range of graduate coursework and research degrees. - How to apply
Links to entry requirements and application procedures. - Chemistry Bridging Course