Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management – (M.A.)

York has long been the premier centre in Britain for the study of stained glass, with unmatched resources in the Minster and city churches, leading conservation studios and the History of Art department's lively Stained Glass Research School.

This innovative programme, the first of its kind in the English-speaking world, offers an integrated study of stained glass and its conservation, meeting a perceived need internationally for a qualification in this field. It is taught in partnership with the Archaeology Department.

The aim is to offer training for a variety of employment, in stained glass conservation workshops, but also in heritage management, arts administration, architectural offices, engineering offices, administration of historic buildings and museums. The programme will also be a preparation for higher research degrees.

This is a two-year programme, including four terms of taught courses, with two modules per term, a five-month placement, and a five-month dissertation. Two modules will be devoted to basic and advanced techniques of glass conservation. In each taught term a week-long masterclass will be conducted by a visiting lecturer. Other fields of study include the ethics and the philosophy of conservation, history of conservation, art and architectural history, archaeology, materials and materials´ science, building engineering, architectural climate study, administrative training, and heritage and business administration. There will be a free choice of art-historical or archaeological modules in the spring term of the second year. Leading conservation studios in Britain, Europe and the United States will host placements, providing valuable work experience, and networks for future careers. Variations on the degree are possible for those who wish to avoid the placement and/or the dissertation.