Conservation and Restauration

The programme offers three fields of study, which are distinguished by material-specific and technological characteristics: Wood, Stone, Mural Painting. The direct contact with the university's courses in architecture and urban planning, cultural work and civil engineering and the practical connection to the surrounding monuments, museums, buildings and works of art in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Potsdam, the state of Brandenburg and the capital city of Berlin form optimal framework conditions.

Fields of Study

Interdisciplinary Subjects

Start of Studies

Study Organisation

Teachers & Staff

Cooperation Partners

History

Study Conservation and Restauration

Bachelor's Programme

In the first semesters, the Bachelor's degree programme provides basic knowledge in the preservation of historic buildings and focuses on wood, stone and mural painting.

Profile & Application

Master's Programme

The Master's programme deepens students' knowledge and skills, qualifying them for a higher qualification for independent and competent professional practice.

Profile & Application

25 Years of Conservation and Restauration

Cover der Jubiläumsbroschüre des Studiengangs Konservierung und Restaurierung

In 2020, the degree programme Conservation and Restauration celebrated its 25th anniversary. To mark this occasion, a brochure was produced that tells the story of the degree programme, presents the fields of study in detail and gives you insights into the everyday life of the degree programme and the teaching formats.

Download brochure

Insights into the Fields of Study

Job Profiles

"In the trio of art historians, natural scientists and restorers who today are essentially concerned with conservation and restoration issues, the latter differs decisively from the other two in that he is the only one who lends a hand to the original to a greater extent.

This not only gives him a special responsibility in the technical and manual area, but also in his ideal function as protector and preserver of the works of art entrusted to him. (...) The work of art needs an advocate to protect it from the worst abuse.

Here, the restorer has a special responsibility, as he is the only one who, due to his training, but also due to his interests and his individual knowledge of the object, can weigh and judge to what extent a work of art can withstand the strains placed upon it or will suffer irreparable damage in the process."

Bruno Heimberg, Das Selbstverständnis des Restaurators. Ein Versuch der Standortbestimmung, in: Zeitschrift für Kunsttechnologie und Konservierung Heft 2/1994, Worms 1994, pp. 340-344.

Extensive specialist knowledge and practical experience
pronounced sense of responsibility
critical judgement (prudence)
ability to discourse (communicative competence, mastery of argumentation strategies)
ability to cooperate (willingness to compromise, pragmatism)
Capacity for critical self-reflection as an essential characteristic of academic work.

"As living testimonies of centuries-old traditions of peoples, monuments in the present convey a spiritual message of the past. Humanity, which is becoming more and more aware of the universal validity of human values, sees in monuments a common heritage and feels responsible towards future generations for their preservation. It has an obligation to transmit to them the monuments in all the richness of their authenticity." Venice Charter 1964, Preamble

"The central task of conservators is the preservation and care of artistic and cultural objects. In order to be able to meet the requirements of modern restoration, academic training is necessary. Only a university degree enables the conservator to accompany an object from the preliminary examination, analysis and concept development through the actual conservation or restoration to the necessary documentation and further care. Conservators need comprehensive technical skills and a trained artistic sensitivity when dealing with art objects. They must acquire detailed knowledge of the historical manifestations of their objects and their materials; in addition to an overview of art history, this also includes a sound knowledge of chemistry and physics as well as knowledge of other related sciences. Training is therefore an ongoing process that continues in professional life and necessitates targeted further training." Association of Conservators

"Conservators deal with irreplaceable cultural assets that are carriers of cultural, ideal, ethical, religious, artistic, historical, social, technical, scientific, ecological and economic values." Swiss Association for Conservation and Restoration

News

More news

Event

News 25/03/2025

Registration: Long Night of Writing for FHP students

On 4th of April, as part of the Long Night of Libraries in Germany, Potsdam University of Applied Sciences will be taking part in the traditional ‘Long Night of Writing’. This is organised by the student counselling service and the library of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. This is…

Studierende in Teamarbeit an einer Tafel

Study & Teaching

News 21/03/2025

Don't miss out: Language courses for FHP students starting soon

Double benefit during your studies: The VHS Potsdam and the FHP offer students language courses for which 50% of the course fees are reimbursed and up to 5 credits can be credited. Find out more and enrol now!

Mix aus Collage und Illustration mit der Aufschrift Jobshadowing

Study & Teaching

News 06/03/2025

Job Shadowing – Insights into Future Working Life

Job shadowing provides students with valuable insights into the everyday working life of their future profession. In the summer semester, a wide variety of companies/employers offer students the opportunity.

Gereinigtes Fußboden-Fragment. Erkennbar sind Stirn und Augenpartie eines menschlichen Gesichtes

Research

Press release 25/02/2025

Basic research on the high-fired plaster screed of the monastery church of St Marien and Cyprian in Nienburg (Saale)

In the monastery church of St Mary and St Cyprian in Nienburg (Salzland district), a very special late Romanesque gem has been preserved in the form of a richly decorated high-fired plaster screed floor. Discovered as early as 1926, there have been several attempts in the past to restore and present…