Conservation and Restoration

The programme offers three fields of study, which are distinguished by material-specific and technological characteristics: Wood, Stone, Mural Painting. The direct contact with the university's courses in architecture and urban planning, cultural work and civil engineering and the practical connection to the surrounding monuments, museums, buildings and works of art in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Potsdam, the state of Brandenburg and the capital city of Berlin form optimal framework conditions.

Fields of Study
Interdisciplinary Subjects
Start of Studies
Study Organisation
Teachers & Staff
Cooperation Partners
History

Study Conservation and Restoration

Bachelor's Programme

In the first semesters, the Bachelor's degree programme provides basic knowledge in the preservation of historic buildings and focuses on wood, stone and mural painting.

Profile & Application

Master's Programme

The Master's programme deepens students' knowledge and skills, qualifying them for a higher qualification for independent and competent professional practice.

Profile & Application

25 Years of Conservation and Restoration

Cover der Jubiläumsbroschüre des Studiengangs Konservierung und Restaurierung

In 2020, the degree programme Conservation and Restoration celebrated its 25th anniversary. To mark this occasion, a brochure was produced that tells the story of the degree programme, presents the fields of study in detail and gives you insights into the everyday life of the degree programme and the teaching formats.

Download brochure

Insights into the Fields of Study

Job Profiles

"In the trio of art historians, natural scientists and restorers who today are essentially concerned with conservation and restoration issues, the latter differs decisively from the other two in that he is the only one who lends a hand to the original to a greater extent.

This not only gives him a special responsibility in the technical and manual area, but also in his ideal function as protector and preserver of the works of art entrusted to him. (...) The work of art needs an advocate to protect it from the worst abuse.

Here, the restorer has a special responsibility, as he is the only one who, due to his training, but also due to his interests and his individual knowledge of the object, can weigh and judge to what extent a work of art can withstand the strains placed upon it or will suffer irreparable damage in the process."

Bruno Heimberg, Das Selbstverständnis des Restaurators. Ein Versuch der Standortbestimmung, in: Zeitschrift für Kunsttechnologie und Konservierung Heft 2/1994, Worms 1994, pp. 340-344.

  • Extensive specialist knowledge and practical experience
  • pronounced sense of responsibility
  • critical judgement (prudence)
  • ability to discourse (communicative competence, mastery of argumentation strategies)
  • ability to cooperate (willingness to compromise, pragmatism)
  • Capacity for critical self-reflection as an essential characteristic of academic work.

"As living testimonies of centuries-old traditions of peoples, monuments in the present convey a spiritual message of the past. Humanity, which is becoming more and more aware of the universal validity of human values, sees in monuments a common heritage and feels responsible towards future generations for their preservation. It has an obligation to transmit to them the monuments in all the richness of their authenticity." Venice Charter 1964, Preamble

"The central task of conservators is the preservation and care of artistic and cultural objects. In order to be able to meet the requirements of modern restoration, academic training is necessary. Only a university degree enables the conservator to accompany an object from the preliminary examination, analysis and concept development through the actual conservation or restoration to the necessary documentation and further care. Conservators need comprehensive technical skills and a trained artistic sensitivity when dealing with art objects. They must acquire detailed knowledge of the historical manifestations of their objects and their materials; in addition to an overview of art history, this also includes a sound knowledge of chemistry and physics as well as knowledge of other related sciences. Training is therefore an ongoing process that continues in professional life and necessitates targeted further training." Association of Conservators

"Conservators deal with irreplaceable cultural assets that are carriers of cultural, ideal, ethical, religious, artistic, historical, social, technical, scientific, ecological and economic values." Swiss Association for Conservation and Restoration

News

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Awards

Press release

Germany Scholarships awarded to 26 students

In the 2025/26 funding period, University of Applied Sciences Potsdam is awarding 26 Germany Scholarships to particularly committed and high-achieving students. The scholarship holders receive 300 euros per month for one year. Since the start of the funding programme, the university - together with…

Campus life

News

Recognisable from afar: implementation of the new orientation system starts on campus

The first signs of better orientation are now visible on the campus of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. Planning and design took place on site with students and staff under the direction of Prof Christina Poth. The involvement of the university community was crucial to the development.

Study & Teaching

News

Incoming student survey 2025 (14/10 - 04/11/2025)

We rely on your help to continuously improve the study and teaching conditions at the FHP.

Transfer

Retrospective

The Conservation and Restoration degree programme presented itself at the Potsdam Environmental Festival in Volkspark on the 28th of September 2025

Lovingly preserved, carefully restored: The FHP presented selected projects from the conservation and restoration degree programme in an exhibition at the 2025 environmental festival in Potsdam and invited visitors to take part in exciting hands-on activities.

Dates

More events
Exhibition
13/06–31/10/2025

Nature as a Design − Exhibition of Plant Studies at the Biosphäre Potsdam

Exhibition
Target audience: University members, Public, Prospective students
Biosphäre Potsdam
Workshop
03/11/2025, 3.00 pm – 4.30 pm

Talk about Tax! Tax and Self-Employment

Target audience: University members, Employees, Students
Location: OnlineRoom via Zoom
Workshop
06/11/2025, 11.00 am – 12.00 pm

Lecture: Leadership Skills today and tomorrow

Target audience: University members, Lecturers, Employees, Students
Location: OnlineRoom via Zoom
Presentation/Lecture
11/11/2025, 6.30 pm

Event series "Bunte Aussichten" by the student collective perspektiv;wechsel

Self-employment on the podium: inspiration and knowledge sharing
Target audience: Employees, Students, Public
Location: Main BuildingRoom Foyer

Contact

Study Advisory Stone

Prof. Dr. Jeannine Meinhardt
Professor for Conservation and Restoration – Stone

Counselling: Due to the research semester, counselling can only take place online and by appointment.

Registration: Please register in advance by e-mail: jeannine.meinhardt@fh-potsdam.de to receive a registration confirmation.

Location: Laboratory and Workshop Building/Room 243

Study Advisory Wood

Prof. Dr. Angelika Rauch
Professor for Conservation and Restoration – Wood

Consultation and registration: Appointments by arrangement by e-mail. Please contact Angelika Rauch (with contact details) at: angelika.rauch@fh-potsdam.de.

Location: Laboratory and Workshop Building/Room 064

Study Advisory Mural Painting

Dipl.-Rest. Tjalda Eschebach
Workshop Manager Conservation and Restoration – Mural Painting

Counselling times: Thursdays, from 10.00 am – 11.30 am

Registration: Please register by e-mail in advance: tjalda.eschebach@fh-potsdam.de.

Location: Laboratory and Workshop Building/Room 247 – 248