Courses at the Master's Programme in Conservation of Cultural Heritage Objects
The first year of the master’s programme is comprised of courses within the field of Conservation. The second year is dedicated to an internship and a research-based thesis project.
Specialisation
The programme offers a new specialisation at each start of the programme. In the academic year 2024/2025, we offer archaeological materials as a specialisation.
Archaeological materials are a group of cultural heritage objects that were discovered from archaeological excavations from terrestrial and seawater environments. Due to long-term burial in soil or water and changes in the environment during excavation, some special considerations should be applied before, during and after excavation. The aim of this specialisation is to teach you all aspects of field conservation activities, the methods of study and analysis of archaeological materials as well as post-excavation conservation operations in the lab.
In the following academic year, 2025/2026, the specialisation is stone. Specialisations for the upcoming years are metals, monumental art, glass and ceramics, paper, and conservation science.
Year 1
Specialisation: Conservation of Archaeological Materials 1, 15 credits
Course code: KKV731
The course aims to deepen the student's knowledge of the excavation site's chemical and physical conditions and decomposition factors for inorganic material at the excavation site and to broaden and deepen the student's knowledge in various active and preventive conservation measures in the field of specialization. The course includes in-depth knowledge of materials anchored in natural science, various conservation methods and processes relevant to excavated inorganic archaeological materials and objects.
Documentation of Cultural Heritage Objects, 7.5 credits
Course code and syllabus: KKV704
The course gives you knowledge of various technical visualisation tools and methods for documenting cultural heritage objects and artworks as well as the environments they are exposed to. During the course, you learn how to critically evaluate how these tools and methods are used in various current projects, and how they affect the way objects are represented. The course also offers an orientation in methods and software used in contemporary conservation.
Advanced analytical methods for conservation, 7.5 credits
Course code and syllabus: KKV707
The course introduces you to several methods which are widely used in contemporary conservation. You learn how to critically evaluate how these tools and methods are used in various current projects and how they inform the decisions in heritage conservation.
Research Methods in Cultural Heritage Conservation, 7.5 credits
Course code and syllabus: KKV706
The course provides you with the knowledge and skills to perform independent research in Cultural Heritage Conservation (kulturvård in Swedish).
Specialisation: Conservation of Archaeological Materials 2, 15 credits
Course code: KKV732
The course aims to deepen the student's knowledge of the chemical and physical conditions of excavation sites and the decay of organic material at these sites as well as broaden and deepen the student's knowledge of various preventive measures within the specialization based on knowledge obtained through the course KKV731.
Current Issues in Conservation, 7.5 credits
Course code and syllabus: KKV700
The course covers contemporary theory in conservation and uses complex case studies to juxtapose ideas and attitudes which affect treatment outcomes and different stakeholders. The course encourages you to develop an informed way of deciding on conservation treatments by adopting an open-minded, flexible, and creative approach based on a thorough understanding of all possible factors affecting the condition, interpretation and understanding of an object making use of scientific data, as well as considering social and cross-cultural parameters.
Year 2
Internship, 30 credits
Course code and syllabus: KKA200
The course mainly consists of practice-oriented education that can involve both practical studio and laboratory work, and participation in discussions around the assignment provided by the internship institution.
Master Thesis in Conservation with Specialisation in Conservation of Cultural Heritage Objects, 30 or 60 credits
Course code and syllabus: KKV730 / KKV760
The master’s thesis course provides an opportunity for you to carry out an in-depth study in an area of interest and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the master's program. The course is based on independent work and can also be part of a bigger research project.
