Prospective Students

 

Graduates from the Queen’s Master of Art Conservation program are employed worldwide in conservation laboratories and research facilities in art galleries, museums, libraries, archives, and independent conservation studios. Graduates have also gone on to Ph.D. programs in North America, Europe, and Australia.

In the Art Conservation Treatment Stream, students specialize in the conservation of paintings, artifacts or paper objects, undertake a research project and are required to complete two 12-week summer internships. In the Art Conservation Research Stream, students complete original research and a thesis with no conservation treatment component.

To learn more about the two streams, including academic prerequisites and other requirements, please see below. 

 

How to Apply

Application deadline: January 15 of each year

 

Interviews will be held in March. Applications must be submitted online. You will need to submit a brief Statement of Interest outlining your background, career aspirations and why you wish to study art conservation as part of the online application. You will also need to submit a Curriculum Vitae as well as a brief description of each of the required courses you have taken or are currently enrolled in. You will also need to provide two letters of recommendation (you have the option of having your referees submit recommendations to Queen's electronically), as well as your official transcript, which can be uploaded as a PDF. Applicants offered an admissions interview will be required to present a portfolio of their work.

For more information about the application process, please visit the School of Graduate Studies website. If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Assistant at artcon@queensu.ca or 613-533-2742.

 

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Academic Prerequisites: Research Stream

Mid-Career Research Stream

  • Four-year Honours bachelor degree in humanities, sciences or engineering with a minimum B+ average (or equivalent).
  • One full-year, post-secondary course in fine art studio or workshop practice (or equivalent).
  • Three terms of chemistry at the university level, including at least one term of organic chemistry, all courses preferably with a laboratory component.
  • Applicants with an undergraduate degree in the humanities must have a minimum of five full-year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
  • Applicants with a science or engineering undergraduate degree must have a minimum of two full year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
  • Minimum of five years of work experience as a conservator.

Conservation Science Research Stream

  • Four-year Honours bachelor degree in the sciences or engineering with a minimum B+ average (or equivalent).
  • Three terms of chemistry at the university level, including at least one term of organic chemistry, all courses preferably with a laboratory component.
  • A minimum of two full-year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.

Other Requirements

  • Good visual sensitivity and manual skills are recommended
  • Experience in conservation or conservation science is highly recommended.
  • For international students, if required, a minimum TOEFL total score of 600 (paper-based) or TOEFL iBT minimum scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30), for a total of 88/120.

Applicants offered an admissions interview will be required to present a portfolio of their work.

Academic Prerequisites: Treatment Stream

  • Four year Honours bachelor degree in humanities, sciences or engineering with a minimum B+ average (or equivalent).
  • One full-year, post-secondary course in fine art studio or workshop practice (or equivalent).
  • Three terms of chemistry at the university level, including at least one term of organic chemistry, all courses preferably with a laboratory component.
  • Applicants with an undergraduate degree in the humanities must have a minimum of five full-year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
  • Applicants with a science or engineering undergraduate degree must have a minimum of two full year courses in art history, ethnology, archaeology, or equivalent.
  • Please find more information with the School of Graduate Studies.

Other Requirements

  • Good visual sensitivity and manual skills are recommended
  • Experience in conservation is highly recommended.
  • For international students, if required, a minimum TOEFL total score of 600 (paper-based) or TOEFL iBT minimum scores of: writing (24/30); speaking (22/30); reading (22/30); listening (20/30), for a total of 88/120.

Applicants offered an admissions interview will be required to present a portfolio of their work.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many prospective students no longer have access to in-person lecture or laboratory classes.  We recognize the difficulty this may have on students completing the academic prerequisites of our Program, and will be assessing each applicant on a case-by-case basis.  Please see our FAQ page, which outlines how to fulfill our application requirements and to prepare for graduate study.

Want More Information?

For a student's perspective on the program and information about housing and student life, contact Katie Ramirez, M.A. student and Graduate Ambassador.

Graduate Ambassador

Hello! My name is Katie, and I am the graduate ambassador for the Art Conservation Department here at Queen’s University. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience about the department and the wonderful faculty and staff. Under their guidance, students are nurtured to participate in and contribute to the increasingly complex, diverse, and collaborative conservation profession. I am eager to connect with prospective students regarding the art conservation program and answer any questions you may have!

Email Katie Ramirez