Textile Conservation (Taught)

Textile Conservation is a multidisciplinary subject which combines academic knowledge with cultural awareness, aesthetic sensitivity and technical skill. This MPhil is both an academic programme and professional training; it will give you a framework of theoretical knowledge and a range of practical experience which will enable you to contribute to the understanding and preservation of culturally significant textile artefacts.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• This is the only programme of its kind in the UK, and one of only a few specialist textile conservation programmes in the world.

• You will be based in our specialist conservation laboratories.

• You will benefit from our close links with Glasgow Museums, as well as the University’s own Hunterian Museum. Glasgow’s civic and university collections are some of the richest and most diverse in Europe and are of international standing. You will have the opportunity to draw on the museums’ rich and varied textile collections.

• You will be taught by visiting specialists from local and national museums in Scotland and the wider UK.

• You will take part in a project-based work placement, where you can explore a possible future career while meeting professional practitioners and developing your skills and experience.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The students develop a wide breath of academic, practical and professional skills. You will take core courses over two semesters in each year, with a work placement in the summer between the first and second years. You will write up your dissertation over the second summer and submit it at the end of August.

Year 1
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE: CORE SKILLS
ETHICS IN TEXTILE CONSERVATION PRACTICE
UNDERSTANDING TEXTILES: TECHNOLOGY
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE: DEVELOPING SKILLS
PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION
MATERIAL CULTURES
TEXTILE CONSERVATION PLACEMENT

Year 2
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE: ADVANCED SKILLS
CONSERVATION IN PRACTICE
DECONSTRUCTING THE ARTEFACT
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE: CONSERVATION PROJECTS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
DISSERTATION