Visiting York Minster.

Visiting York Minster.


A glazier removing a panel of stained glass from a traceried window.

A glazier removing a panel of
stained glass from a traceried window.


stained glass workbench

In the workshop.

MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management


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.


Your Profile


The programme is designed to appeal to a wide range of potential applicants. They will include college graduates with an undergraduate degree in related fields (e.g., glass conservation, wall-painting conservation, art history, architecture, archaeology). Applicants without a college degree, but with exceptional experience or demonstrable skills may also be admitted, subject to an entrance test. All candidates should have some previous experience in glass conservation; preliminary placements can be arranged and some funding will be available for this from ICON, the national confederation of conservators in Britain.


Programme Content


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.


Funding and Enquiries


Substantial scholarships are available. For more information please see Bursaries and Fellowships.

For more information, contact Pam Ward.


Curriculum Outline


Year 1

Autumn Term
Early Oct - mid-Dec

Theory and Intro to Stained Glass Conservation
HISTORY OF ART

Conservation Studies I
ARCHAEOLOGY

Masterclass
HISTORY OF ART

Summer Term and Vacation
Early April - end August

Workshop Placement
HISTORY OF ART

Spring Term
Early Jan - mid-Mch

History of Stained Glass
HISTORY OF ART

Conservation Studies II
ARCHAEOLOGY

Masterclass
HISTORY OF ART


Year 2

Autumn Term
Early Oct - mid-Dec

Art and Architecture of York Minster
HISTORY OF ART

Heritage Management I
ARCHAEOLOGY

Masterclass
HISTORY OF ART

Summer Term and Vacation
Early April - end August

Dissertation
HISTORY OF ART

Spring Term
Early Jan - mid-Mch

Free Choice
ARCHAEOLOGY/HISTORY OF ART

Advanced Techniques of Stained Glass
Conservation

HISTORY OF ART

Masterclass
HISTORY OF ART

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