Royal College of Art/Victoria and Albert Museum Joint Course in Conservation

Opportunities for Training and Research in Conservation 1999/2000

The RCA/V&A Joint Course in Conservation is a unique collaboration between three world-class London institutions: the Royal College of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine. Together they can offer unrivalled resources for the conservation and study of museum objects. Students may train for a career as a specialist conservator or conduct sustained research in a broad range of subject areas in the working environment of a major museum, leading to a prestigious RCA degree.

The Course, which was established in 1989, currently has twenty-four full- and part-time students. Most are based in the V&A, but some are based in other collaborating London institutions. Each student works in a different field and has a different background. Conservation itself is developing rapidly. The Course aims to respond by providing, as far as possible, tailor-made studentships which serve the needs of both the individual and the profession. It is important to note that disciplines in which we invite applications (the Options) vary from year to year.

OPTIONS FOR 1999/2000

MA

Ceramics & Glass Conservation: Reverse-Painted Glass (2 years)

Books Conservation: Albums and Sketchbooks (Photo albums preferred) (2 years)

Conservation of Ethnographic Materials--with possible emphasis on musical instruments--in collaboration with the Horniman Museum (2 or 3 years)

Conservation of Social History Objects--in collaboration with the Museum of London (2 or 3 years)

Conservation Science--in collaboration with The British Museum (2 or 3 years)

MPhil/PhD

Applications for research degrees are invited in a number of areas on which the Course wishes to concentrate. In some of these a particular subject may be identified. Candidates may also bring their original proposals to us for discussion.

Management & Risk Assessment: The impact of social functions on the contents of historic building--collaboration with English Heritage (with scholarship)

Technical Study of Objects: Non-invasive methods for wood identification

Technical Study of Objects: Materials and techniques of drawings on paper (to be confirmed)

History & Ethics of Conservation

20th-Century Materials in Art, Craft & Design: Historical research

Applications of Computers in Conservation

NB: These research options are the ones where we particularly welcome applications in 1999/00. The other research themes we have identified and in which we will consider individual proposals are: Methods of Display; Metal Patination; and Conservation Treatments: Surface Studies.

Note: MA degrees are for 2 or 3 year full-time depending on previous training and experience. MPhil/PhD degrees are for a minimum of 2 years full-time. Part-time study is available for MPhil and PhD.

Contact: Preliminary enquiries are welcome. Please do not apply without contacting us for advice on admission requirements, funding, and how to make an application. You will find more information on the Course web site http://www.conservation.rca.ac.uk/

First enquiries to: