Conservation of Cultural Heritage

Conservation of cultural heritage is the discipline concerned with understanding, preserving, and caring for the physical objects, artworks, buildings, and collections that form our shared cultural inheritance. Conservators work to slow or reverse the deterioration of cultural objects, using a combination of scientific analysis, specialist technical skills, and knowledge of art history and materials. They are employed by museums, galleries, archives, archaeological organisations, and heritage bodies, and their work ensures that the artefacts, paintings, documents, and structures of the past remain accessible to future generations.

At the University of Lincoln this three-year full-time programme recognises the vital role that conservators play in safeguarding artworks, architecture, archaeological finds, and museum collections. You will develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills in conservation science, materials analysis, treatment techniques, and the ethical frameworks that govern conservation practice. You will work with real objects from Lincoln's rich collections environment, developing the fine manual skills and scientific knowledge that the profession requires.

The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, giving you the professional experience in a conservation or heritage context that is essential for entering a specialist and competitive field.

Conservation graduates work in national and regional museums, historic houses and heritage sites, archaeological units, archives, fine art auction houses, and specialist conservation studios. Roles in preventive conservation, object conservation, paintings conservation, paper and book conservation, and architectural conservation are all possible career directions, often requiring further specialist training after the degree. Some graduates continue to postgraduate study in conservation, heritage management, or museum studies, developing the expertise needed for senior professional and curatorial roles.