All applicants
1 February 2023 (register in Studielink before 30 January, see step 3)

If you are interested in a scholarship, you need to apply for both the Master's programme and the scholarship before 15 January. Learn more at:

The Master's in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage is open to students with a Bachelor’s degree from the UvA, or an equivalent recognised degree from another university, in:

• the humanities, preferably with a minor in Conservation and Restoration;
• the sciences, preferably with a minor in Conservation and Restoration.

Bachelor’s degrees in Art History, Cultural Studies, History, Archaeology, Materials Science and Chemistry provide a particularly suitable basis, but the Examinations Board may also regard other degree certificates as being suitable.

Student Profile

You are eligible for this Master's if you meet the admission requirements and demonstrably possess the following knowledge and qualities:

• Sufficient academic knowledge in the field of chemistry and art history
• Excellent manual skills
• Insight into shape and construction and a good eye for colour
• Ability to solve practical problems
• A good focus
• Ability to work in a team

Hbo-bachelor: not eligible

It is not possible to apply to this programme with a degree from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (hbo), unless you have eliminated your deficiencies during your hbo programme. For further information, please contact our study adviser (studyadviser-cr-fgw@uva.nl).

We do not currently offer a pre-Master's programme (schakelprogramma) for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.

English language requirements

New Master's students should be able to speak, read, write and understand English at an advanced academic level. Please check carefully whether you already meet the English language requirements or whether you need to arrange to take an official English language test. See the English language requirements on the Graduate School of Humanities website.

Selection procedure

The Master's in Conservation and Restoration has a selection procedure. Please follow the procedure outlined in the following documents: 

Literature and practice tests

Students applying for the Master's in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage who did not participate in the minor programme will need to take the Canvas tests in Principles of Conservation, Basic Chemistry and Preventive Conservation.

All students applying will need to start their application by submitting an enrolment request in Studielink, the Dutch online system for students applying for a degree programme at a Dutch university.

You need to submit an enrolment request in Studielink for the Master's in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage.

It is extremely important that you register in Studielink at least 48 hours before the application deadline (see above). This is to ensure that you receive your login information (UvAnetID) in time to fill in your UvA application in MyInfo (see next step).

After enrolling in Studielink, you will automatically receive an email with a link to your MyInfo UvA application form. To log in to MyInfo you need your UvAnetID. Please fill out the application form, upload the required documents and submit your MyInfo application form before the application deadline.

Application fee

All applicants holding a nationality outside the EU/EEA are required to pay an application fee of €100 per Studielink enrolment before submitting your MyInfo application form. You will find payment instructions on your application form.

Application documents

Make sure you are well prepared before you start your application, and you have all necessary documents ready. You are asked to upload the following documents:

• curriculum vitae;
• proof of language proficiency (if required, see language requirements);
• transcript of records, up-to-date and issued by your home institution (if you are already a student at the UvA, a screenshot from SIS is sufficient);
• diploma (if already obtained)* or list of courses yet to complete;
• translation of your diploma and transcript of records (if they are not in English, Dutch, German or French);
• motivation form (PDF);
• programme specific documents (see below).

*Please note: If you have not yet obtained your diploma but are in possession of all other application documents, you may proceed with your application - as long as you obtain your Bachelor's degree before 1 September. If you have a non-Dutch prior education, please bear in mind that you must submit your certified documents before 1 May (non-EEA students) or 1 August (EEA students).

Programme-specific documents

We ask you to upload an example of academic written work in English, so that the Admissions Board can get an impression of your academic writing skills. If you do not have an example of academic work written in English - for example, if all your written work so far is in Dutch or another language - translate or rewrite 3-5 pages of a paper or your thesis in English and upload this as your example of academic written work.

After you have uploaded all required application documents and have submitted your UvA application form in MyInfo (step 4), you will go to the first round of the selection procedure (for a complete overview of the selection procedure, see step 2: Check entry requirements - Selection procedure).

Students applying for the Master's in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage who did not participate in the minor programme will need to take the Canvas tests in Principles of Conservation, Basic Chemistry and Preventive Conservation (for the relevant study materials, see step 2: Check entry requirements - Literature and practice tests). All candidates must complete an essay assignment and upload a portfolio.