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/