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200pt Program
Master of Cultural Materials ConservationCourse Entry PointYear: 2026
200pt Program
Contact information
Course Coordinator
Dr Paula Dredge
Email: paula.dredge@unimelb.edu.au
Currently enrolled students:
Future students:
Overview
The Master of Cultural Materials Conservation is a professional qualification aimed at students who wish to undertake interdisciplinary training in contemporary conservation practice in the GLAM sector (Galleries, Library, Archives and Museums), Community Conservation, and/or Research. It combines interdisciplinary knowledge, practices and processes, drawing on the combined expertise of staff of the Grimwade Centre, the Arts and Science Faculties, the University of Melbourne Cultural Collections and Industry partners. The program emphasises the philosophical, theoretical, social, sustainable and technical domains of cultural material conservation within situated contexts.
High-achieving graduates may qualify for entry to research higher degrees.
It is strongly recommended that all commencing students have studied chemistry equivalent to 25 points of first year university or else complete the Grimwade Centre Chemistry bridging course offered in December and March, or equivalent.
Last updated: 12 December 2025
Structure
200 credit points
200 point program
Duration: 2 year full-time / up to 4 years part-time
- 7 compulsory subjects (100 points)
- Capstone subjects (25 to 87.5 points)
- Elective subjects (12.5 to 75 points)
Capstone Requirement:
All students are required to complete at least one of the Capstone Options for the program. Where space permits in the students' study plan, students can take up to three Capstone options.
Capstone Option 1: Minor Thesis (37.5 points)
- CUMC90035 Conservation Thesis Part 1 (12.5 points)
- CUMC90036 Conservation Thesis Part 2 (12.5 points)
- CUMC90041 Research Methods (12.5 points)
Please note: the minor thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment (part 1 and 2) and must be taken in the final 100 points of the program.
AND/OR
Capstone Option 2: Treatment Research (25 points)
- CUMC90005 Conservation Actions 2 (25 points)
AND/OR
Capstone Option 3: Industry Research (25 points)
- CUMC90037 Conservation Industry Internship 2 (25 points)
Purpose: An opportunity to integrate knowledge and research skills to address a research question; pathway to the PhD
Subject Options
Compulsory Subjects (100 points)
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUMC90006 | Conservation Industry Internship |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| CUMC90027 | RESPECT | May (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90029 | Sustainable Collections | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90030 | Conservation Practice | October (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90032 | Technical Examination and Documentation | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90033 | Cultural Materials Conservation Science | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90040 | Conservation in Theory and Practice | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Capstone Subjects (25 - 87.5 points)
Capstone Option 1: Minor Thesis (37.5 points)
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUMC90035 | Conservation Thesis Part 1 | Semester 1 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90036 | Conservation Thesis Part 2 | Semester 2 (Early-Start) (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90041 | Research Methods | March (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Please note: the minor thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment (part 1 and 2) and must be taken in the final 100 points of the program.
AND/OR
Capstone Option 2: Treatment Research (25 points)
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUMC90005 | Advanced Conservation Practice | Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
AND/OR
Capstone Option 3: Industry Research (25 points)
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUMC90037 | Conservation Industry Project | August (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Elective Subjects (12.5 - 75 points)
Please note: elective subjects are selected and approved depending on the student's area of interest and study program. Consult with the program coordinator, refer to the Handbook and attend briefing sessions prior to enrolment for information about elective subjects.
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUMC90003 | Conservation Intensive |
May (On Campus - Parkville)
October (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| CUMC90022 | Digital Protocols | June (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90023 | Content in the Field | July (Off Campus) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90031 | Analytical Science in Conservation | September (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CUMC90034 | Ngarranggarni: Gija Art and Country | July (Off Campus) |
12.5 |
| ACUR90001 | Issues in Art Conservation | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| ACUR90007 | Collection Management | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| Code | Name | Study period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERTH90062 | Introduction to Archaeological Science | April (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Links
http://arts.unimelb.edu.au/grimwadecentre
Last updated: 12 December 2025