这是一门为期两年（全日制）或三年（非全日制）的课程，对研究生进行教育和培训，使其成为能够研究，分析，清洁，保存和护理各种考古和博物馆物品的保护者。它适用于希望成为人工制品保护者或在人工制品研究或预防性保护领域工作的人。该课程的毕业生通常将在博物馆或大型文物保护组织（例如国家信托基金会或英国文物保护局）工作。研究生来自各行各业，但熟练的手巧，非常基本的化学知识以及与博物馆物品合作的热情和愿望至关重要。
The MSc in Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects (Professional Practice) combines specialist conservation skills with theoretical knowledge and a year-long placement. You will develop the skills to research, analyse, preserve and care for historic and archaeological objects, and safeguard them for future generations.<br><br>This practical course, which is studied over two years full time or three years part time, is designed for those interested in a career as a conservator of historical objects, or in the fields of artefact research or collections care. While we draw students from a wide range of academic backgrounds, they share a number of essential traits, those of manual dexterity, a knowledge of chemistry and the desire and commitment to work with museum objects.<br><br>Taught by qualified conservators, you will learn about conservation skills, artefact studies, methods of conservation, and how to care for collections. One day you might be looking into the ethics of conservation, the next you could be learning about chemical compositions used in the preservation of different materials.<br><br>You will spend the final year on placement. The placement year is normally spent developing your skills in a conservation laboratory at a major museum. Previous industrial partners have included the Museum of London, the National Museum of Wales and the York Archaeological Trust.<br><br>As a conservation student you will have access to many of the Department's state-of-the-art facilities, these include a photographic studio, internationally renowned research laboratories in DNA, conservation, isotope analysis, and environmental archaeology, luminescence dating as well as unique collections of artefacts.<br><br>We are also home to Archaeological Services Durham University, a leading commercial archaeological fieldwork unit. This means we can provide expert training on the latest fieldwork practices from professional archaeologists.<br><br>The Department of Archaeology at Durham is one of the largest in the world and is considered a leader in archaeological research in the UK. We have a global reputation for our academic standards and the quality of teaching. We are also highly fortunate to be based in the city of Durham which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and located near some of the country's renowned archaeological sites, such as Hadrian's Wall and the Saxon monastery at Jarrow.