Master of Arts (Cultural Material Conservation)

The Masters by Research is aimed at students who wish to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research in cultural material conservation. The course will culminate in the production of a research thesis of 30,000 words.

• demonstrate a thorough knowledge of cultural material conservation principles, methodologies and best practice standards;
• demonstrate a capacity for articulating conservation research questions and the appropriate methodologies for investigating them;
• have an understanding of the role of cultural material in the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of individuals, communities and nations;
• can access, appreciate and contribute to national and international debates, protocols and conventions relevant to cultural material conservation;
• can act as informed advocates for cultural material conservation and play a leadership role within the sector, actively engaging in critical policy issues;
• bring an appreciation of cultural diversity, community sensitivities and a changing social context to the scientific and historical paradigms that exist within the cultural heritage and conservation sectors;
• can apply critical and analytical skills and methods, and a cross disciplinary understanding and approach, to the identification and resolution of conservation issues;
• can express research findings in lucid, well constructed arguments which use appropriate scientific and social conventions of documentation.

In addition, graduates will develop the following more generic skills:

• a respect for intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
• the capacity for independent critical thought and self directed learning;
• an openness to new ideas.

Thesis 30,000 words (100 points per year)

A four year BA (Honours) degree with a research component or equivalent in the appropriate area of study or closely related area. The grade for the honours thesis component must be at least equivalent to an H2A (75%) at The University of Melbourne and the overall honours result must be at least equivalent to an H2B (70%). Or a three year undergraduate degree in cultural material conservation or equivalent with at least an H2B (70%) level average in relevant subjects, and at least five years of documented professional work experience as a conservator.

Applicants must include with their application a 2,000 to 2,500 word thesis proposal and a writing sample (this may be an essay from your previous degree, a chapter from your Honours or Masters thesis or a published article). The Selection Committee may require the applicant to provide academic referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.