City & Guilds of London Art School is pleased to announce the launch of the MA Conservation: Collection Care & Management, commencing in 2026/27.
This practice-led postgraduate programme prepares students for careers in preventive conservation and the care and management of cultural heritage collections. It combines technical training with critical reflection, ethical awareness, and an understanding of the professional and institutional contexts that shape collection care.
Students develop knowledge of materials, deterioration processes, environmental monitoring and control, and appropriate handling, storage, and documentation systems, alongside engagement with the historical and theoretical frameworks of the discipline.
Teaching is delivered through workshops, case studies, and applied research, supporting the development of adaptable approaches for museums, galleries, historic houses, and other collection environments. Collection care is a complex and evolving area of conservation practice. Alongside technical knowledge, students engage with the historical, theoretical, and ethical frameworks that underpin responsible stewardship of collections across a wide range of contexts.
About the course
The course is structured across three units, supporting a progression from foundational skills and research to applied practice and professional development:
Unit 1: Methods establishes the foundations of postgraduate study.
Unit 2: Practices supports the sustained development and refinement of a defined line of enquiry.
Unit 3: Professions consolidates the MA through critical evaluation, research articulation and professional positioning.
Apply Now
We are accepting applications for the 2026/27 academic year, submit your application now via our application form.
Read more on our course page, including details on fees, funding and bursaries. Please note that this course is still subject to validating body approval. If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions Team.