University of Malta

What you'll study

The programme combines theoretical study, technical laboratory work and field-based practice to address the conservation and restoration of architectural fabric, historic materials and artefacts. Key areas of study typically include material science for conservation, theories and ethics of heritage intervention, building pathology and diagnostic survey techniques, documentation and recording methods, preventive conservation, and project management for heritage works.

• Material behaviour and decay — properties of stone, mortars, timber, metals and conservation-compatible repair materials.
• Surveying and documentation — measured survey, photographic and digital recording, condition mapping and GIS for heritage sites.
• Intervention techniques — consolidation, cleaning, structural repair, compatible replacement and conservation-led maintenance strategies.
• Conservation theory, policy and ethics — international charters, legislation, ethics of treatment, and community values in decision-making.
• Laboratory and workshop practice — hands-on treatment of materials, sampling and non-destructive testing.
• Research methods and dissertation — independent research project addressing a conservation problem, often linked to a local site or collection.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant undergraduate degree in architecture, civil engineering, archaeology, fine art, art history, conservation, or a closely related field. Where applicants’ prior study is in a related but not directly comparable subject, the school may require evidence of practical experience, a portfolio of work, or completion of bridging modules.

Additional requirements commonly include a personal statement outlining motivation and relevant experience, academic references, and proficiency in English demonstrated by an accepted test or prior study in English if applicable. Selection for places may include interview and assessment of a portfolio or sample of academic work.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to work in public and private sectors concerned with cultural heritage. Typical roles include conservation practitioner for buildings and objects, conservation scientist, heritage site manager, surveyor specialising in historic fabric, consultant on restoration projects, collections conservator in museums and archives, and roles within heritage policy and planning bodies.

The programme also prepares students for research and doctoral study and can be a route into teaching or specialist consultancy in conservation technologies, materials analysis and project management of heritage interventions.

Why study at University of Malta

The University of Malta offers study in an environment rich in built heritage and archaeological resources, providing immediate access to case studies and fieldwork opportunities. The university's faculties and departments bring together multidisciplinary expertise — from architecture and engineering to archaeology and materials science — enabling an integrated approach to conservation education.

Students benefit from practical laboratory and workshop training, close contact with local conservation practitioners and heritage authorities, and opportunities to engage with live conservation projects in Malta’s varied historic environment. The programme emphasises both international conservation standards and contextual understanding of Mediterranean heritage, equipping graduates to work locally and internationally.