Program Overview

The MA Conservation of Fine Art programme (Easel Paintings) will provide you all the knowledge and skills necessary for a career as an art conservator.

This postgraduate programme aims to provide you with advanced knowledge and skills in both practice and research for the conservation of easel paintings. Northumbria University’s Conservation of Fine Art MA is the only Master of Arts programme in the UK that offers the specialisms in both the conservation of Easel Painting or Works of Art on Paper.

Our Conservation of Fine Art Masters programme aims to develop your skills in critical awareness, research, ethics and philosophy, art history, conservation science and the care of collections, in addition to honing the meticulous practical skills necessary to become a conservator.

It is the combination of meticulous practical skill, a sound knowledge of science, and passion for the art and art history that makes this Masters programme of interest to those from both a science and arts background.

Integrating a mix of studio practice, science and art history, the programme covers a range of subjects. You will study studio practice, conservation theory and ethics, science, art history and technical art history, preventive conservation and research skills.

The Conservation of Fine Art MA Easel Painings is a vocational programme and on graduation you will have all the highly specialised knowledge and skills to formally enter the conservation profession.

In order to broaden your cultural perspective and enhance your practical learning experience, you will also have the opportunity to carry out a placement in the Summer recess. Students carry out placements in institutions in the UK and globally;  a number of hosting institutions over the years have included the British Museum, the National Museum of Australia, Royal Ontario Museum  Tate as well as  a number of private conservation studios.

We welcome applications from students from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Students come from a range of backgrounds including Fine Art, Art History and the Sciences.