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Dr Rebecca Styler - Associate Professor / Programme Leader
Dr Rebecca Styler is Associate Professor in English and an experienced researcher and PhD supervisor in the field of nineteenth century studies. She shares oversight of Postgraduate Research in the School of Humanities and Heritage with Professor Louise Wilkinson (Professor of Medieval Studies), with a particular responsibility for admissions. Rebecca can offer advice to applicants about their ideas for research projects and their suitability for doctoral study. She will forward applications to the appropriate subject specialists within the School for assessment.
Academic Staff List Make an EnquiryWelcome to MA by Research Conservation
This MA by Research Conservation is designed to enable students to advance their knowledge in a particular field of conservation. Research areas include archaeological conservation, paint and pigment analysis, preventative conservation, material culture studies, and analysis of historic materials. This degree is best-suited for students who have a tightly defined research project that is achievable within the time frame.
Members of staff in the conservation arm of the School aim to provide students with the academic support needed to conduct in-depth research a chosen topic of interest. Students can benefit from the School's research expertise through a supervisory team and have access to a range of analytical equipment and technical expertise.
Strong links exist within the College of Arts and with the College of Science, and there is an interdisciplinary research culture that facilitates collaboration with colleagues across a wide range of topics.
Welcome to MA by Research Conservation
This MA by Research Conservation is designed to enable students to advance their knowledge in a particular field of conservation. Research areas include archaeological conservation, paint and pigment analysis, preventative conservation, material culture studies, and analysis of historic materials. This degree is best-suited for students who have a tightly defined research project that is achievable within the time frame.
Members of staff in the conservation arm of the School aim to provide students with the academic support needed to conduct in-depth research on a chosen topic of interest. Students can benefit from the School's research expertise through a supervisory team and have access to a range of analytical equipment and technical expertise.
Strong links exist within the College of Arts and with the College of Science, and there is an interdisciplinary research culture that facilitates collaboration with colleagues across a wide range of topics.
Select Year of Entry
How You Study
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Full-time students will meet with their academic supervisors once a month; part-time students will meet with their academic supervisors every other month.'
How You Study
Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the majority of time is spent in independent study and research. Full-time students will meet with their academic supervisors once a month; part-time students will meet with their academic supervisors every other month.
How you are assessed
With the help of dedicated skills sessions, and under the guidance of an academic supervisor, students will be expected to write a dissertation of around 25,000 words.
How you are assessed
With the help of dedicated skills sessions, and under the guidance of an academic supervisor, students will be expected to write a dissertation of around 25,000 words.
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
For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required.
Projects that necessitate extensive experimental work and analytical equipment should be discussed in detail the members of the conservation staff team to ensure that appropriate equipment and resources are available.
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
These may be additional costs with regard to the specific clothing, materials, or equipment required. Projects that necessitate extensive experimental work and analytical equipment should be discussed in detail with members of the conservation staff team to ensure that appropriate equipment and resources are available.
Entry Requirements 2022-23
First or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.
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 upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject.
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.
Research Areas and Topics
- Archaeological conservation
- Paint and pigment analysis
- Preventive conservation
- Material culture studies
- Cultural history
- Analysis of historic materials
Facilities
Interviews
Applicants with appropriate projects will be offered an interview with the programme leader and a subject specialist where they can discuss the details of their research proposal.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from Lincoln’s conservation programmes have gained employment as conservators in museums, galleries, historic houses, and conservation agencies, both 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 of Cultural Heritage
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.

History
Studying history can help us understand change and enhance our understanding of the modern world.

Medieval Studies
Students are able to learn a range of research methods used within medieval studies and develop skills such as palaeography and Latin.