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.

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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Study & Teaching
News

Graduate survey 2026 (12/05 – 02/06/2026)

We rely on your help to continuously improve the study and teaching conditions at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.

Further education
Interview

"To Curate is to Mediate" - Review with the Participant Dr Yvonne Pauly

As coordinator of the School Lab for the Humanities at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities , Dr Yvonne Pauly deals with questions of mediation on a daily basis. In our interview, she explains why she decided to take part in the "Curating 101" training programme, what ideas she…

Event
News

Matching Day 2026 - Which Companies Suit Me?

Students and graduates meet potential employers at the Matching Day. All students who are looking for a job after graduation or an internship at sought-after regional companies are invited to take part. The FHP offers preparatory workshops to give students a solid basis for the interviews.

Transfer
News

How Founding Drives your Own Transformation - Laura van Altena on the Podcast: Gründungsgeist Berlin-Brandenburg

How do you start a business when your everyday life has long been full but you still don't want to give up anything? Laura van Altena talks to Doreen Löwe about the challenges of self-employment, being an employee and voluntary work and how the EXIST Women's Scholarship helps her to focus.

Dates

More events
13/05
14:00 – 18:00
Location: Campus
13/05
Transculturality in Architecture and Construction - celebrating Empowerment and Diversity!
17:00 – 19:00
Location: Theatre Workshop Space (Main Building/Room 124)
19/05
12:00 – 13:00
Location: OnlineRoom via Zoom
19/05
09:00 – 16:00
Location: Theatre Workshop Space (Main Building/Room 124)

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