Diploma Programme Conservation and Restoration

 

The dates for the admission test for the Institute for Conservation and Restoration have been set:

 

Wed, 11.01.2023 12:00 - Fri, 27.01.2023 12:00 at noon:

Binding online registration and submission of the folder/portfolio online

Portfolio delivery at the institute during this period additionally possible

 

Mon, 03.02.2023

Notification of admission to the examination

 

Fri, 03.02.2023 – Fri, 24.02.2023 

Applicants who have not been admitted to the examination in presence can pick up their portfolio at the institute.

 

Mo, 27. and Tu, 28.02.2023:

Entrance exam in presence (at the institute Salzgries 14)

Please contact the secretary of the Institute for further information (kons-rest@uni-ak.ac.at)!

 

 

The future conservators-restorer should possess artistic aptitude and enjoy  practical-manual, craft-based work, but also show an interest in the humanities (art and cultural history, archaeology …) and natural sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) and provide overview, basic knowledge in these fields. Further computer knowledge (Microsoft Office programmes, Adobe Photoshop) is desirable.

 

All those interested should gather information about a conservator-restorer‘s everyday work beforehand. We recommend undertaking a pre-study internship of several weeks at a conservation-restoration studio.

 

The completed 17th year of age is required. A higher school-leaving certificate is not a legal requirement, but Matura certificate (or equivalent) has proven to be a good foundation for our study programme.

 

Sufficient German language skills (both spoken and written) are a necessity from the start. Also, basic knowledge of English is a prerequisite, as some courses are held in English.

 

We would like to point out that due to the extent of compulsory practical work and courses with compulsory attendance during the first semesters of the programme there will be hardly any opportunity for part-time work or the pursuit of a second study. 

 

 

Admission to the diploma degree programme is based on a two-tier process. This includes a pre-selection (submitting portfolio) and an exam. Prerequisite for admission to the entrance exam is the positive assessment of the application portfolio!

 

The registration and submission of the application portfolio takes place online. In addition, the portfolio can also be brought in person to the institute on the 4th floor, labeled with the registration number of the online tool and information on the desired department, during the same time frame. 

If you are not admitted to the second part of the admission procedure, you can pick up your portfolio during the specified period Monday to Friday from 9:00-15:00. After making an appointment (kons-rest@uni-ak.ac.at), the assistants of the respective department are available for a personal discussion about the portfolio.
 

The portfolio should be of generous proportions (sheet size A3 to A2) and contain at least 20 current works. The Institute asks for precise freehand drawings /studies of nature in pencil (e.g. still life, landscape, etc., preferably a series). Real objects should be used as templates, no photographs.  

The second part of the portfolio can/should contain works in colour (e.g. watercolours, pastels) and may be more freely designed. The portfolio can also include works related to specialisations of the programme – these can be documented on photos as it is not recommended to bring the original to the Institute (e.g. copy of painting, sculpture, etc.). The single sheets are to be labelled with dimensions, name and date.

 

Also to be submitted online are the curriculum vitae, educational certificates (e.g. high school diploma, BHS diploma, apprenticeship diploma, etc.) and, if available, proof of internship (e.g. photo documentation, etc.). These documents should also be enclosed when submitting the portfolio in person.

Further, applicants should carefully consider which area of specialisation to choose (paintings, objects, textiles, stone). The decision has to be indicated with the registration.

 

Applicants, who are admitted to the examination, are informed online. The examination lasts two to three days and consists of written, oral and practical partial tests.

 

Within the framework of the entrance exam, applicants‘ artistic-creative and manual skills (moulding, object construction, drawing, and colour mixing), observation, basic knowledge in chemistry (at secondary school level) and art history (antiquity to modernity) as well as written skills (art-historical description and motivation letter) are tested.

 

A personal interview takes place to address the occupational profile and the applicant‘s motivation to train and work in the area of conservation-restoration.

 

 

The following has to be brought to the test:

 

 

 

After the examination the applicants are informed via e-mail, if they are accepted for the diploma degree programme with start in the following autumn. Following the exam, the portfolios are handed over. Further, it is possible to get personal feedback on the portfolio and the performance during the exam. At the University of Applied Arts Vienna there is no lottery, waiting list or reserve system.

 

 

The head and assistants of the Institute would be happy to answer any questions in a face to face meeting regarding the study programme and the entrance exam. We recommend making an appointment prior to the entrance exam for a critical discussion of the portfolio and to deal with questions regarding the studies.

 

Applicants are also invited to the Open House (each year in autumn) of the Institute. This day provides the opportunity to meet students and teachers and gain insights into the study programme, the workshops and labs and the occupational field.