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Dr Melina Smirniou - Programme Leader
Dr Melina Smirniou is a conservator and archaeological scientist. She has worked at the British Museum, co-directed and founded Conservators Without Borders, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of the not-for-profit Heritage Without Borders. Research interests include the Late Bronze Age primary production and glass trade in Egypt, Mesopotamia and Eastern Mediterranean, as well as analysis and characterisation of glass and glazed ceramics from a wide geographical and chronological range.
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MA Conservation of Cultural Heritage
Lincoln's MA Conservation of Cultural Heritage enables students to gain hands-on experience while being taught by experts in the field. Students have the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical, theoretical and research skills in preparation for a career in heritage conservation.
The city of Lincoln is bursting with history and the city's rich cultural heritage makes it an ideal location in which to study conservation. Students have access to a wide variety of historic materials and can choose to focus on remedial treatment, preventive conservation, or collections management. There may also be opportunities to work with the University's commercial consultancy, Lincoln Conservation.
Students will have access to a wide variety of materials from archaeological, social history, world cultures, and decorative arts contexts. You can choose to specialise in certain modules and will learn with peers in high-specification, purpose-built laboratories in the University's Peter de Wint Building on campus.
For those already working in conservation, a blended learning option allows submission of practical projects derived from your current place of employment.
Welcome to MA Conservation of Cultural Heritage
Lincoln's MA Conservation of Cultural Heritage enables students to gain hands-on experience while being taught by experts in the field. Students have the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical, theoretical and research skills in preparation for a career in heritage conservation.
The city of Lincoln is bursting with history and the city's rich cultural heritage makes it an ideal location in which to study conservation. Students have access to a wide variety of historic materials and can choose to focus on remedial treatment, preventive conservation, or collections management. There may also be opportunities to work with the University's commercial consultancy, Lincoln Conservation.
Students have access to a wide variety of materials from archaeological, social history, world cultures, and decorative arts contexts. For your research project, you can choose to specialise in certain modules and will learn with peers in high-specification, purpose-built laboratories in the University's Peter de Wint Building on campus.
For those already working in conservation, a blended learning option allows submission of practical projects derived from your current place of employment.
How You Study
Most Conservation tutors and technicians are qualified conservators with a wide range of professional experience in the museum and heritage industry. Blended learning opportunities combining flexibility, support, and academic rigour also exist for those already working in the sector.
The composition and delivery of the course is different for each module and may include lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, practicals, work placements, research, and one-to-one learning.
The four taught theory modules take place in four intensive non-consecutive weeks offering a flexible learning approach combining face-to-face teaching with online sessions.
The practical modules take place in the purpose-built facilities on campus. Students work with historic objects and cultural heritage materials provided from museums and private collections.
Contact and Independent Study
Weekly contact hours on this programme may vary depending on the individual module options chosen and the stage of study.
Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour in class students are expected to spend two - three hours in independent study or conducting practical work in the labs.
For more detailed information please contact the Programme Leader.
How You Study
Most Conservation tutors and technicians are qualified conservators with a wide range of professional experience in the museum and heritage industry. Blended learning opportunities combining flexibility, support, and academic rigour also exist for those already working in the sector.
The composition and delivery of the course is different for each module and may include lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, practicals, work placements, research, and one-to-one learning.
The four taught theory modules take place in four intensive non-consecutive weeks offering a flexible learning approach combining face-to-face teaching with online sessions.
The practical modules take place in the purpose-built facilities on campus. Students work with historic objects and cultural heritage materials provided from museums and private collections.
Contact and Independent Study
The composition and delivery of the course is different for each module and may include lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, practicals, work placements, research, and one-to-one learning.
Weekly contact hours on this programme may vary depending on the individual module options chosen and the stage of study.
Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour in class students are expected to spend two - three hours in independent study or conducting practical work in the labs.
For more detailed information please contact the Programme Leader.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
An Introduction to Your Modules
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
How you are assessed
Examples of assessment methods that may be used include presentations, essays, reports, practical work, journal article, website or blog.
Students on the blended learning option are required to submit a monthly report to monitor their progress, and online tutorials are offered by the module tutor.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
To obtain the MA, students must submit a 15,000 word dissertation.
How you are assessed
Examples of assessment methods that may be used include presentations, essays, reports, practical work, journal articles, websites, or blogs.
Students on the blended learning option are required to submit a monthly report to monitor their progress, and online tutorials are offered by the module tutor.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly usually within 15 working days of the submission date.
To obtain the MA, students must submit a 15,000-word dissertation.
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Programme-Specific Additional Costs
Additional Costs
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Research Project
Students on this programme are expected to complete a Research Project which is undertaken during the summer semester. This may be conducted within the University, or outside, for instance, in a museum or laboratory in the UK or overseas. Please note that students are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation and general living expenses during the completion of the research project. These costs are likely to vary depending on where students choose to conduct their research.
Fees and Funding
For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.
Programme-Specific Additional Costs
Additional Costs
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.
Research Project
Students on this programme are expected to complete a Research Project which is undertaken during the summer semester. This may be conducted within the University, or outside, for instance, in a museum or laboratory in the UK or overseas. Please note that students are expected to cover their own travel, accommodation, and general living expenses during the completion of the research project. These costs are likely to vary depending on where students choose to conduct their research.
Entry Requirements 2022-23
First or second class honours degree in conservation or equivalent professional experience.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Entry Requirements 2023-24
First or second class honours degree in conservation or equivalent professional experience.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
Lincoln Conservation
The University is home to Lincoln Conservation, a company that combines research, teaching, and commercial expertise: http://www.lincolnconservation.co.uk
When opportunities arise, students may apply to work on live projects, providing the chance to gain professional experience.
The course is associated with the Heritage Research Group: https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/researchatlincoln/heritage/.
The School of History and Heritage MA Bursary
The School of Humanities and Heritage is pleased to be able to offer up to four bursaries, by competition, to University of Lincoln students and alumni who wish to undertake one of the MA degree programmes offered by the School (MA History, MA Medieval Studies, MA Conservation of Cultural Heritage, or MA English Literature).
For full details and information on how to apply, visit The School of Humanities and Heritage MA Bursary.
Features
The University’s reputation in the cultural heritage sector leads to opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience on historical materials from museums and private collections.
International Study Visit
MA students on this programme may have the opportunity to join undergraduate and Diploma students on an optional international study visit. In the past these have included Berlin, Athens, Amsterdam, and Florence. Please note that students are expected to cover their travel, accommodation, and general living costs when taking part in an optional study visit.
Facilities
Interviews
We encourage all applicants to attend an interview. Virtual interviews on Skype or Microsoft Teams can be accommodated. Submission of a full CV and supporting electronic portfolio is required.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have gained employment as conservators in museums, galleries, historic houses, and conservation agencies, nationally and internationally. Internships have included roles in natural history at the Horniman Museum, mechanical objects at Edinburgh Museum, and textile conservation for the National Trust at Blickling.
Postgraduate Events
Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.
Find out MoreRelated Courses
Conservation
The MA by Research is designed to enable students to advance their knowledge in a particular field of conservation.
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Medieval Studies
Students are able to learn a range of research methods used within medieval studies and develop skills such as palaeography and Latin.