Degree Programme in Restoration
Objectives
The Degree Programme in Restoration is focused on interiors, furniture and objects.
As Bachelor of Culture and Arts, you need theoretical, technical, scientific and historical knowledge. These skills you apply in various contents of our cultural historic environments or objects. In the studies you learn the whole process of conservation from documentation to conservation planning and practice.
Studies of traditional materials and techniques in interiors and objects are emphasized by cultural historic research methods as well as documentation and survey methods.
The studies also include art and style history, conservation and restoration ethics.
Degree programme description
In the Degree Programme in Restoration, you develop your professional skills through studies in art history, museology and cultural history, together with materials and techniques. Ethics of conservation and restoration is also an essential part of the studies.
Core competence studies focus on historical interiors, styles, materials and techniques. You also study the basics of documentation techniques and digital documentation methods. These studies are organized during the first and second year of your studies, while the first practical training period will take place in the second year of the curriculum.
In complementary competence studies, you learn about restoration techniques and special techniques. The restoration process and different materials and techniques are studied in restoration planning, restoration techniques and restoration process modules. The second practical training is located in the third year of the curriculum.
In practical projects, you study different materials and techniques. You become familiar with different types of damage, material options and techniques in interiors and objects. The projects will help you to form a realistic picture of how things are done in the world of work. Complementary competence studies give you the opportunity to develop your own skills individually in projects and practical training based on your own choices. The Bachelor’s thesis also deepends your professional skills.
The scope of the degree is 240 ECTS credits.
The degree includes core competence studies (135 ECTS credits) and complementary competence studies 105 (ECTS credits).
Core competence consists of the following modules:
• Restoration as profession 15 ECTS credits
• Language studies 15 ECTS credits
• Materials 15 ECTS credits
• Methods 15 ECTS credits
• Applying art 15 ECTS credits
• Analysis methods 15 ECTS credits
• Restoration planning 15 ECTS credits
• Practical training 15 ECTS credits
• Bachelor’s thesis 15 ECTS credits
Complementary competence consists of the following modules:
• Restoration techniques 15 ECTS credits
• Special techniques 15 ECTS credits
• Restoration process 15 ECTS credits
• RDI project 15 ECTS credits
• Practical training 15 ECTS credits
• Optional studies 30 ECTS credits
Implementation of studies
As a full-time student, you participate in contact lessons that are mainly held on weekdays. Different learning methods and environments vary in your studies: contact lessons, learning tasks done independently, exams, teamwork, online studies, projects and practical training. The studies require plenty of independent work in the workshop facilities in the evenings and at weekends. You can study in a flexible way. At the beginning of your studies, you will prepare a personal study plan with the help of your studies coordinator. You will get support in the choices that are related to your studies, practical training, final thesis and internationalization. The objective is that you can plan your studies as well as possible according to your own life situation.
If you wish to accelerate your transition to work, you can choose the independent track. If you have earlier work experience in the field from the past 10 years, it is possible to integrate it as part of the degree. You can also choose studies from other teaching groups or do online studies. The independent track suits a goal-oriented student who is capable of working independently.
You can choose the blended track if you are employed in duties corresponding to your field of study. When choosing this track, you must agree on cooperation with your employer. You can complete courses at your workplace either completely or partially. The development of your knowhow requires getting familiar with the course content and showing your competence through learning tasks or competence demonstration. You always have to agree on the performance of a learning task with the course lecturer in advance.
Student counselling
Xamk supports students in different ways in all matters related to studies. Your studying is supported by the studies coordinators and tutors who guide you in questions concerning the study environments, study practices, and similar. On the campuses, the services of the study secretaries, counselling psychologists, and student health care are also available.
BYOD –Bring Your Own Device
Xamk students are required to use their own data terminal equipment (such as laptops).
Career opportunities
After completing restoration studies, you may be employed for example by museums maintained by the state, municipalities and towns, or other public sector entities. Private entrepreneurship is also one way to be employed. You can also be employed in teaching activities.
The education prepares you very well for entrepreneurship. Setting up your own business already during the studies is also possible, and is supported through extensive entrepreneurship studies at Xamk. The contacts formed with other professional during studies, for example in practical training and projects, are important for your future employment. The customer contacts related to the study modules increase your employment opportunities.
Your postgraduate study possibilities include completing Master of Arts studies in art history, museology and ethnology.
RDI and cooperation with world of work
Degree programme of restoration has collaboration with local museums, municipalities, and private entrepreneurs.
Examples of projects in which students have been involved include
• Office of the President of the Republic of Finland, furniture
• Parliament House of Finland, furniture
• Kotkaniemi – the home museum of President P.E. Svinhufvud, interiors, objects and furniture
• Verla UNESCO World Heritage site, interiors and objects
• Old railway station of Lappeeenranta
Learning environments
Beside theory, also practice is emphasized in the studies. Examples of projects we have completed with our cooperation partners or private customers as part of our courses include:
• Office of the President of the Republic of Finland, furniture
• Parliament House of Finland, furniture
• Kotkaniemi – the home museum of President P.E. Svinhufvud, interiors, objects and furniture
• Verla UNESCO World Heritage site, interiors and objects
Materials are examined in our laboratory, where we have microscopes, XRF analyzer, FTIR spectrometer and spectrophotometer. In chemistry studies, you learn how to use these devices, examine and recognize different materials.