Diploma level 4 in Conservation

The Office of the Qualification and Examinations Regulator OFQUAL has just awarded the new V&A Conservation Diploma level 4 National status as a qualification. The specialist conservation units of the diploma have been written by V&A Conservation specialists with core elements approved by the awarding body EDI. This new award will be available to all staff and volunteers working in the Cultural Heritage and Arts sector.

Generic Curatorial Conservation Modules

Unit 1 Foundation

  • Element 1 Security
  • Element 2 The collections of the V&A and branch museums
  • Element 3 Document, marking and numbering
  • Element 4 Introduction to objects handling
  • Element 5 Dealing with visitors
  • Element 6 Museums Communications (Introduction)

Unit 2 Presenting information

  • Element 1 Email
  • Element 2 Business Writing
  • Element 3 Presentation Skills

Unit 3 Management of Information

  • Element 1 Manual and Automated Systems
  • Element 2 Entry Documentation
  • Element 3 Acquisition
  • Element 4 Creating a Concise record
  • Element 6 Disposal
  • Element 8 Registry and Museum Archives
  • Element 9 National Art Library

Unit 4 Working with the Collections

  • Element 1 Care of the Collections overview
  • Element 2 Materials and environment
  • Element 3 Housing collections on display or in store
  • Element 4 Handling objects
  • Element 5 Access to Collections
  • Element 6 Planning for emergencies
  • Element 7 Loans Management

Unit 5 Developing Expertise

  • Element 1 Researching objects
  • Element 2 Museology
  • Element 3 Project Management
  • Element 4 Manage the use of financial resources

Generic Conservation Elements

Unit 6 Conservation: Working in the Studio

  • Element 1 Health and Safety
  • Element 2 Security and Object Protection

Unit 7 Conservation Roles and Standards

  • Element 1 Museum relationships
  • Element 2 Prioritising and estimating work
  • Element 3 Conservation Roles within teams

Unit 8 Conservation Ethics and Collections Care

  • Element 1 Ethics
  • Element 2 Surveying and Assessment of collections
  • Element 3 Preventive Conservation

Unit 9 Specialist Conservation Modules

  • Element 9a Ceramics, Glass and Enamels
  • Element 9b Metals
  • Element 9c Sculpture
  • Element 9d Textile
  • Element 9e Textile Mounting
  • Element 9f Preventive

Unit 10 Theoretical Support for specialist modules

  • Element 10a Ceramics, Glass and Enamels
  • Element 10b Metals
  • Element 10c Sculpture
  • Element 10d Textile
  • Element 10e Textile Mounting

Unit 11 Professional Accreditation Requirements

  • Element 11a Assessment of objects, collections and sites
  • Element 11b Conservation-restoration options and strategies
  • Element 11c Conservation-restoration treatments
  • Element 11d Preventive measures
  • Element 11e Organisation and management
  • Element 11f Professional development

Want to know more?

If you are interested in applying you can download an application form.

Should you have any further questions please contact us and speak to either Pat McCann 0207 942 2523 or Ray Chan on 0207 942 2940 and we will be more than happy to advise you.