The Department
The Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art was founded in1983 and since then has had a successful course in Higher Education, during which it has contributed as a pioneering Department to the formation and development of the scientific field of Cultural Heritage Conservation. It is now the only Department in Greek Higher Education in this demanding field. The Department has contributed in shaping the profession of Conservator of Antiquities and Works of Art in Greece and internationally.
The Department awards:
Bachelor’s degree in “Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art” (240 ECTS)
Master’s degree (MSc) in “Conservation of Cultural Heritage” (90 ECTS)
Master’s degree (MA) in “Musem Studies” (90 ECTS)
Doctoral degree (PhD)
And Postdoctoral Research positions
Professional development of graduates
The graduates of the Department are recognised professionals and practice the profession of conservator after obtaining a professional license by the Ministry of Culture. They work at the public sector (Ministry of Culture – Ministry of Education), private conservation ateliers, private cultural institutions and collections. They are engaged in technical examination, conservation and restoration studies and conservation applications of archaeological finds, historical objects and works of art.
Admission to the Department
Admission to the Higher Education of Greece is based on the system of entrance examinations, which are set one-time every year by the Ministry of Education. The Department accepts students from:
– General High Schools – Field 2: Science and Technology
– Vocational High Schools – Field 16: Applied Arts
Admission to the Department requires an examination of the special courses of sketching and architectural drawing.
Curriculum
The curriculum is organised in such a way that offers scientific, artistic and technological background. The curriculum provides theoretical and practical training in the fields related to the documentation, conservation and protection of archaeological finds, historical objects and works of art. Graduates are able to apply directly and effectively the scientific, technological and artistic knowledge and skills. In this way, conservation work contributes not only to the preservation of artefacts, but also to a deeper understanding of the historical, social and artistic events to which they relate.
Organisation of the Undergraduate Programme of Studies
The interdisciplinary nature of the Department is reflected in the contents of the courses of the Undergraduate Programme, which covers four years of study. Courses belong to one of the following groups:
Conservation of Archaeological and Historical Objects
Conservation of Paintings and Archival Materials
Natural Sciences, Digital Applications and Humanities
Visual Arts
At the first 4 semesters background courses are offered (e.g. Archaeology, Art History, Elements of Biology, Inorganic & Organic Chemistry, Drawing, Photography etc.) and introductory specialisation courses (e.g. General Principles and Theory of Conservation, Conservation of Excavated Objects, Conservation of Building and Decorative Elements in Architectural Monuments, Archival material conservation etc.).
Conservation Courses are taught during the last two academic years. Attendance and participation in conservation practicals is compulsory. The curriculum also includes Optional Courses such as Health and Safety, Professional Management in Conservation, Computer basics.
Below you can see the four groups of courses:
Conservation of Archaeological & Historical Documents
Stone Conservation
Ceramic-Glass Conservation
Metal Objects Conservation
Organic Materials Conservation
Textile Conservation
Mosaic Conservation
Sculptured works Conservation
Natural History Objects Conservation
Conservation of Paintings & Archival Material
Wall Paintings Conservation
Easel paintings Conservation
Wooden artefacts Conservation
Icons Conservation
Book – Paper conservation
Contemporary Art Works Conservation
Photography Conservation
Works of Art on Paper Conservation
Natural Sciences, Digital Applications and Humanities
Physics
Basics of Biology & Principles of biodeterioration
General & Inorganic Chemistry
Applications of Photography in Conservation
Organic Chemistry of Conservation
Analog and Digital Imaging Techniques
Non-Destructive Diagnostic Methods
Science of Inorganic Materials
Documentation and Digital Applications in Conservation
Inorganic Chemical Analysis
Organic Materials Science
Prehistoric Archaeology of the Aegean
Classical Archaeology
Byzantine Archaeology & Art
History of European Art from the Middle Ages to the 18th century
History of 19th and 20th century Art
Greek Art
Theory & Methodology of Artwork Analysis
Visual Arts
Drawing and sketching
Sculpture with clay
Painting: materials & techniques
Reproduction of Painting
Colour and Morphological Restoration
Internship
Internship is compulsory, its duration is three months and is carried out in museums, private conservation ateliers and the ministry of culture.
Erasmus + Programme
The Department has developed a special mobility of students through the Erasmus+ Programme. The programme offers students the opportunity either to study or to do their internship abroad. Among the European countries with which there is a frequent exchange of students are Spain, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany.
Postgraduate Studies
Since 2003 the Department has been participating in collaboration with the Departments of History & Archaeology and Geology & Geoenvironment of the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, in the Postgraduate Programme “MA in Museum Studies”. The curriculum focuses in museums collections and their management, organisation of museums, museum exhibitions, museum administration, museum environment, protection and promotion of museum material, legislation governing museums, economic management of museums and museum collections, museum eduvation.
In 2017 the Postgraduate Programme ” MSc in Conservation of Cultural Heritage” was founded by the Department. The Programme offers specialisation and in-depth understanding in the conservation of cultural heritage. Students focus on diagnosis, design of conservation treatments, advanced materials and techniques.
Contact
Department’s President:
Georgios Panagiaris, Professor
Tel.: +30 210 5385406
Email: gpanag@uniwa.gr
Department’s Secretariat:
Panayiota Parasidou
Agios Spyridonos Street, 12243, Egaleo.
Tel.: +30 210 5385407
Email: cons@uniwa.gr
Department’s website : https://cons.uniwa.gr/