Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage

The single cycle degree programme (five-year master's degree) in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage prepares for the professional figure of Restorer of Cultural Heritage (see art. 29, para. 6,7,8,9 D.L. 42/04 and further modifications: D.M. 02.03.2011 art. 1 para. 2). The Restorer of Cultural Heritage is a graduate-professional who diagnoses the state of conservation and is able to organize direct or indirect interventions to limit the processes of degradation of the materials that constitute the cultural heritage, in order to assure the state of conservation and safeguard its cultural value (D.M. 26.05.2009 art.1 para. 1).Therefore the graduates in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage are able to independently determine the state of conservation of artifacts. The graduates are also able to ensure prevention, maintenance and restoration, reducing the processes of degradation of the materials that constitute the cultural heritage assuring their conservation. They can class the artifacts according to the right artistic and cultural values. Graduates have also in-depth knowledge and expertise of the methods and techniques of conservation and restoration necessary to design the intervention as well as high practical and manual skills and artistic sensitivity.With the social partners we have agreed to run the following curricula:PFP1 - materials of stone and related building materials; decorated surfaces in architecture;PFP4 - ceramic and glassy materials and artifacts; materials and artifacts of metal alloy.Both paths provide for scientific and technical-practical activities, for instance study and historical contextualisation, composition of the materials and diagnosis of the state of conservation, aiming to plan and carry out correct restoration interventions, check and prevent the processes of degradation. Both paths involve traditional teaching combined with restoration laboratory activities, as required by the D.M., combining other expertise (e.g. School of Mosaics of Ravenna, Archaeological Park of Classe) that offers students a real perspective of the future professional work of restorers.Elements of knowledge of legislation and business related to the Cultural Heritage, necessary to do the profession of restorer both privately and in public authorities, are also provided.To pursue the aims of the programme and to provide students, from the beginning, with insight into the problems related to restoration, laboratory activities are provided throughout the five years. Finally, the opportunity to open the programme in future to the path PFP6 in collaboration with the Film library of Bologna, is also considered.The knowledge of a European language to level B2 completes the training of the graduates of this Programme.The acquisition of four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and the obligatory attendance of lessons could also be foreseen, following the criteria indicated by the Degree Programme Board, consistently with the regulations of the Academic Authorities.

For admission to the single cycle degree programme, applicants must have a five-year high school diploma, or other equivalent qualification obtained abroad, or a four-year high school diploma with the relative supplementary year. If this supplementary year is no longer operative, admitted students will be assigned additional learning requirements. Basic knowledge of History, Arts and Sciences as well as knowledge of English to level B1 are also required.

Since the single cycle degree programme envisages a considerable amount of practical activity in the restoration laboratories, the programme has restricted access, and the number of available places and the admission procedures are published annually in the competition announcement. Admission to the single cycle degree programme, regulated by Decree of the Ministry of the Cultural Heritage and Activities (N. 87, 26th May 2009), requires candidates to pass two practical tests and one oral or written exam, as follows:

Perceptive and visual aptitude test

This test assesses the perceptive ability of the candidates, based on a series of color scales.

Graphic and manual aptitude test

This test assesses the following abilities of the candidates:

a) the natural tendency to work with method, order and precision;

b) the ability to critically appraise the artifact (painting, relief or full relief object) using a simple, clear and appropriately modulated line aiming to render the volume, proportion and technique utilized to realize the artifact.

c) manual skills.

Oral exam

Knowledge is required of History of Arts and History of the execution techniques of artifacts, Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Physics) and English; the oral exam may be substituted by a written test.

Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of artifacts and be able to link artistic, historic and technical information as well as have basic knowledge of Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Physics) and English.

The order of the tests may vary but in any case only candidates passing the first test shall be admitted to the second one and in turn to the final exam.

Further information regarding the tests will be given by the Academic Bodies (School and Degree Programme Board) and will be published in the competition announcement.

1.2 Additional learning requirements and relative assessment

The knowledge and skills required for admission are deemed to be held by candidates passing the tests with at least the minimum score specified in the competition announcement. Candidates with a positive score in the third test but who do not meet the minimum threshold indicated in the competition announcement will be assigned additional learning requirements (“OFA”). Students must complete these within the deadline set annually by the Academic Bodies. The OFA may be related to activities in the historical, artistic, scientific or linguistic field, as established by the Degree Programme Board.

Students shall demonstrate knowledge of English to level B1, as assessed by the University Linguistic Centre in a specific test set by the annual deadline.

Students not passing the foreign language test will be assigned additional learning requirements, which are completed by passing an English test to at least level B1 within the annual deadline. The additional learning requirements are completed upon passing the specific test . This specific test will be held on the day(s) decided by the Degree Programme Board and published on the University Portal. Students failing to complete the additional learning requirements will be required to enroll to the same year as repeating students.

1.3 Admission requirements for foreign students

The rules for admission applicable to foreign students are established by the Ministry.