Master’s in Preventive Conservation and Storage
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in preventive conservation and storage of collections, structured in 12 modules covering deterioration mechanisms, climate, light and pollutants, buildings and stores, vehicle, parts and document storage, pests, emergencies, handling and sustainable management, with EN 15757, EN 16893 and EN 16790, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Apply the principles of preventive conservation.
Understand the deterioration mechanisms of materials.
Control climate, light and pollutants.
Design and adapt storage buildings.
Store vehicles, parts and documents correctly.
Prevent pests and plan for emergencies.
Manage a sustainable conservation plan.
Who it's for
- Preventive conservators.
- Collection store managers.
- Museum registrars.
- Vehicle collection managers.
- Conservation consultants.
- Heritage emergency coordinators.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the museum sector.
What you'll work with
- EN 15757 (temperature and humidity specifications for collections)
- EN 16893 (buildings for storage and use of heritage collections)
- EN 16790 (integrated pest management for cultural heritage)
- EN 15946 (packing principles for transport of cultural heritage)
- FIVA Turin Charter (principles for the preservation of historic vehicles)
- EN 15898 (main general terms in conservation of cultural property)
- ISO 11799 (storage requirements for archive and library materials)
- EN 16095 (condition recording for movable cultural heritage)
- Hanwell EMS
- eClimateNotebook
- CollectiveAccess
- Power BI
12 modules
1.1Concept and evolution of preventive conservation1.2The ten agents of deterioration1.3Risk management applied to collections1.4Value and significance of heritage objects1.5Vehicles as movable heritage1.6The FIVA Turin Charter1.7European conservation standards1.8Roles in preventive conservation1.9Long-term planning1.10Workshop: risk analysis of a collection
2.1Metals and atmospheric corrosion2.2Paints and varnishes2.3Wood and lignocellulosic materials2.4Leather, textiles and fibres2.5Rubber and elastomers2.6Historic plastics2.7Glass and ceramics2.8Electrical components2.9Fluids and residues2.10Practical exercise: vulnerability map by material
3.1Relative humidity and its effects3.2EN 15757 specifications3.3Fluctuations and their risk3.4Condensation and cold spots3.5Microclimates in covered vehicles3.6Monitoring with data loggers3.7Analysis of climate data3.8Passive strategies3.9Active strategies3.10Lab: analysis of data logger records
4.1Visible and ultraviolet radiation4.2Light dose and material sensitivity4.3LED lighting in exhibitions4.4Gaseous pollutants4.5Emissions from storage materials4.6The Oddy test4.7Dust and particles4.8Air filtration4.9Protective covers4.10Practical exercise: lighting plan for a gallery
5.1EN 16893 requirements for new stores5.2Building envelope and thermal behaviour5.3Ventilation and air conditioning5.4Floors and loads5.5Access and vehicle manoeuvring5.6Security against intrusion5.7Fire protection5.8Flooding and water5.9Refurbishment of existing industrial buildings5.10Case study: converting an industrial building into a store
6.1Preparation for long-term storage6.2Tyres and supports6.3Batteries and electrical systems6.4Fluids: drain or keep6.5Engine and lubrication6.6Brakes and clutches6.7Breathable covers and climate bubbles6.8Rotation and periodic running6.9Storage records6.10Workshop: storage protocol for a car
7.1Shelving and storage systems7.2Conservation packaging materials7.3Metal parts and corrosion protection7.4Textiles and upholstery7.5Documents and photographs7.6Rubber and plastic parts7.7Identification and location7.8Inventory control7.9Accessibility for consultation7.10Practical exercise: design of a store for historic spare parts
8.1Integrated pest management to EN 167908.2Monitoring with traps8.3Prevention and exclusion8.4Biocide-free treatments8.5Mould in stored vehicles8.6Rodents in vehicle stores8.7Quarantine8.8Recording and analysis8.9Staff training8.10Case study: rodent infestation in a store
9.1Collection emergency plan9.2Fire and extinguishing systems9.3Flooding and evacuation9.4Theft and vandalism9.5Earthquakes and falls9.6Prioritising objects9.7Response teams9.8Post-incident recovery9.9Coordination with emergency services9.10Drill: evacuation of a collection
10.1Handling non-running vehicles10.2Lifting equipment10.3Packing and transport to EN 1594610.4Loans and temporary exhibitions10.5Condition reports in transit10.6Climate control during transport10.7Insurance10.8Training of handling staff10.9Incidents and lessons learned10.10Workshop: relocation plan for a collection
11.1Preventive conservation plan11.2Budget and resources11.3Conservation indicators11.4Energy efficiency in stores11.5Sustainability of climate strategies11.6Collection management software11.7Communication and outreach11.8Continuing professional development11.9External evaluation11.10Practical exercise: indicators for a conservation plan
12.1Selection of the collection and the space12.2Risk assessment12.3Climate analysis12.4Storage proposal12.5Pest and cleaning plan12.6Emergency plan12.7Management and sustainability plan12.8Conclusions12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Hanwell EMS, eClimateNotebook, CollectiveAccess and Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for climate monitoring of vehicle stores, long-term storage protocols and collection emergency plans. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: EN 15757, EN 16893, EN 16790, EN 15946, FIVA Turin Charter, EN 15898, ISO 11799, EN 16095.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Hanwell EMS, eClimateNotebook, CollectiveAccess and Power BI, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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