ABSTRACT
Between 1975 and 2009 the UK’s Textile Conservation Centre (TCC) educated almost 300 students from nearly 40 countries on the Postgraduate Diploma in Textile Conservation and the MA Textile Conservation. This personal view sets out to identify factors which made the MA programme at the University of Southampton successful in giving students a good knowledge and skill base, equipping them for career entry as well as a lifetime’s professional development. The TCC’s programme was founded on the integration of theory and practice throughout the two years, allowing students to develop skills and understanding simultaneously, while an important objective was to hone judgement and decision-making skills. The TCC also pioneered the joint teaching of textile conservation students with students on museums studies programmes. The MA also aimed to develop a range of key professional skills and, particularly, communication skills. The structured and focused nature of the programme meant that students made huge progress in the course of two years and had a strong foundation for continued learning in the workplace. Its successor, the MPhil Textile Conservation at the University of Glasgow, was founded on these principles.
