Bachelor Conservation

Are you interested in preserving art and cultural artefacts? The Bachelor of Arts in Conservation provides you with the basic knowledge and skills to do so.

This degree programme combines the natural sciences, humanities and craftmanship. You choose your specialisation: Architecture and Furnishings; Paintings and Sculptures; Graphics, Wirtten Mateiral and Photography; Contemporary Art and Media.

Students talk about studying conservation.

Start your studies in summer 2026.

Factsheet

Title/Degree Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Specialisations Architecture and Furnishings
Paintings and Sculptures
Graphics, Wirtten Mateiral and Photography
Contemporary Art and Media
Textiles (Abegg-Stiftung)
Mode of study Full-time (6 semesters), part-time possible
Start date 1 August 2026
Application deadline 15 March 2026

ECTS credits 180 ECTS
Teaching language German
Location Bern, Riggisberg (Textiles, Abegg-Stiftung)
School Bern Academy of the Arts
Next info event 26 November 2025

Contact

Projects + Social Media

Focus Areas

This degree programme is your entry into the conservation profession. You choose your specialisation: Architecture, Furnishings and Furniture; Paintings and Sculptures; Books, Graphic and Photographic Objects; Contemporary Art and Media.

What you will gain with your degree

In the Bachelor of Arts in Conservation you learn the basic practical and theoretical skills to understand and preserve artistic and cultural artefacts.

To this end, you look at the history and interpretation of the works. You understand that values matter and change. This equips you to properly apply the acquired knowledge about materiality, its degradation, conservation and prevention under supervision.

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Specialisations

You choose your specialisation at the very beginning of your studies. It then accompanies you through a subsequent Master’s degree programme. Up to the fourth semester you can switch to another specialisation, provided there are places available there. There are four specialisations to choose from.

Architecture and Furnishings

This specialisation is all about buildings, monuments, wooden furnishings and artworks in public spaces.

Paintings and Sculptures

This specialisation focuses on paintings and sculptures, from Ancient Egypt to contemporary art.

Graphics, Wirtten Mateiral and Photography

In this specialisation you deal with techniques of photography, drawing, printing and bookbinding and look at works made of paper, leather, parchment, papyrus and wax.

Contemporary Art and Media

This specialisation focuses on a variety of artistic practices, materials and technologies in contemporary art.

Specialisation at a Different University

You can also transfer to one of the other universities within the Swiss CRC network.

Information page of the Swiss Conservation-Restroration Campus

Network und Exchanges

HKB maintains close ties to a number of partner universities, both in Switzerland and abroad, and collaborates with international partners on numerous projects. HKB is also a member of several international networks.

Networks

The degree programme is part of the Swiss Conservation Restoration Campus. The division of Conservation and Restoration is involved in numerous national and international co-operations and partnerships.

Our Partners (selection)

Broadening Horizons Abroad

HKB students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies or work experience abroad. In turn, interested persons from abroad can apply to study at HKB or spend part of their studies here.

Combining Theory and Practice in Research Projects

Teaching, practice and research are closely linked at our institution. The practical research conducted at the HKB explores important cultural, technological and social issues. Research takes place in four institutes:

Career Prospects

The Bachelor of Arts in Conservation provides you with a basis for starting your career. The degree also serves as your entry ticket to the subsequent Master of Arts in Conservation-Restoration.

The areas you can work in are extensive. They range from the preservation of cultural artefacts, technical documentation and the co-supervision of collections, archives and depots to providing advice on managing exhibitions and planning projects.

Ready for challenging tasks?

As a conservator or restorator you work for government, church, municipal or private organisations or for private individuals. This includes museums, foundations and private art collections.

Our graduates work for example in the following fields:

Conservator for paintings and sculptures
Conservator for archaeologigal finds
Conservator for contemporary art and media
Conservator for historical buildings
Object conservator for museum collections
Paper conservator for historical documents and books
Furniture conservator for antique furniture
Wall conservator for cultural heritage preservation

Further study options

The Bachelor of Arts in Conservation gives you access to further BFH Master's programmes. Here you can develop your skills, solve creative problems and strengthen your research abilities:

Take a look at Master of Arts (MA) in Conservation-Restoration

Duration + Content

The Bachelor of Art in Conservation is a full-time programme that runs for three years and is divided in six semesters. However, after consultation with the head of the specialisation, you have the option of studying part-time (eight to nine semesters).

Full-time or Part-time?

Full-time Studies

The degree programme consists of 180 ECTS credits. You study full-time and graduate after six semesters with your Bachelor's thesis.

Part-time Studies

After consultation with the head of the specialisation, you have the option of studying part-time (eight to nine semesters).

Programme Schedule

You start your Bachelor's degree programme in a specialisation and simultaneously attend modules across specialisations in the first two years. From the third year onwards, you concentrate on the specialisation contents in weekly modules.

Programme Modules

Practical work on art and cultural artefacts takes place in the specialisation throughout BA1-BA6. The modules across all specialisations are divided into four groups: Materials, Techniques and Degradation, Cultural Values, Preventive Conservation and Basics of Documentation. From the third year onwards, you mainly attend weekly modules specific to your specialisation.

All BA modules can be found in the joint Bachelor and Master module plan:

Module plan | Conservation and Restoration BA and MA (in german) (PDF, 237 KB)

Admission Requirements

The number of places available on our programme is limited (‘numerus clausus’). We administer an entrance examination to review your aptitude for our programme. We look for motivation, stamina, resilience and independence in our students as well as a readiness to participate actively in university-level projects.

For the Bachelor's degree programme, you above all need a desire to study, an analytical and critical mind, manual and practical skills, solid basic academic knowledge – and of course a special interest in art and cultural heritage.

Specialisation Textiles

Special requirements and terms apply to the specialisation in Textiles. You can find them on the website of the Abegg-Stiftung.

Your Academic Requirements

You are admitted to the aptitude assessment:

with a high school diploma (Swiss matura) and one year of professional experience
with an equivalent qualification (vocational high school diploma, specialised high school diploma, Abitur)

If you have special qualifications and/or many years of relevant professional experience, we can exceptionally waive the requirement for a qualifying school-leaving certificate. In this case, you can submit a written application for admission ‘sur dossier’.

Supplementary Information on Admission

Find out which languages and prior knowledge are required before starting your studies, what the admission requirements are for international applicants, and how students are selected.

Knowledge + Skills

Power of observation
Patience and a sense of responsibility
Interest in interdisciplinary cooperation
An open mind for new ideas
Interest in connections between the humanities and natural sciences
Manual and practical dexterity
Individual resilience and ability to work in a team
Basic knowledge of art and cultural history, chemistry and physics

Language Skills

We teach and work in German (at least B2). Written assignments can be written in French, English and, possibly, Italian if agreed with the module coordinators.

Applying from Abroad

International applicants will require authentic and valid identification recognized by Switzerland; a visa may often be required. Successful international applicants must apply for a residence permit, and submit proof of sufficient funds. Prior to starting their studies, they will be required to obtain health insurance cover. Applicants should make sure they are fully informed about and compliant with their specific entry requirements for Switzerland.

Aptitude Assessment

We assess your aptitude for the programme by means of an aptitude assessment that consists of three parts:

Review of application dossiers

Along with your previous education and relevant professional experience, your ability to communicate in writing and your personal motivation are also assessed. You are expected to submit a detailed letter of motivation of at least one page. (Additional criteria may be defined.)

Individual interview

In the interview, we discuss your motivation, your previous professional experience and what you expect of the programme. This is explicitly not about testing your specialised knowledge, but about your commitment and your communication skills. (Additional criteria may be defined.)

Exercise

The written exercise helps us to assess, among other things, problem solving, the application of specialised knowledge, precision and accuracy, as well as your written communication skills, research and citation of sources. (Additional criteria may be defined.)

Preparation

No specific preparatory internship is required for the Bachelor's degree programme. However, as with any career choice, it makes sense to take a good look at the professional field beforehand. You can do this, for example, through taster or longer internships. The following links will help you find a suitable internship:

Application

So, you have decided to study at the Bern University of the Arts?
Then do not hesitate and apply right now!

Application Deadlines

Application deadline: 15 March 2026
Start date: 1 August 2026

Start your studies in summer 2026.

Apply now

You can only register for your studies online.

Application Documents

Please submit the following documents in electronic format (passport photo: JPG, other documents: PDF).

ID or passport
Passport photo according to international passport requirements (JPG)
Diplomas and leaving certificates (e.g. vocational baccalaureate/specialised baccalaureate with grades, university entrance qualification, Abitur or upper secondary level qualification)
Curriculum vitae in tabular form
A personal statement about your motivation for these studies and for your professional aspirations
Copies of all relevant certificates
Employer references (internship certificates)
Language certificates (if available)

For International Students, in Addition

Residence permit (if available)

If You Were Already Matriculated at Another University

Confirmation of your exmatriculation
Transcript of records of current and/or terminated studies

If you do not yet have one or more of the required documents, please state why in the Comments section.

Transgender Identities

Would you prefer us to address you differently to the details recorded in your official documents?

Please register the first name you go by and your gender (if binary) at the application stage, to ensure that we address you correctly during the application process. The relevant form is available on the BFH website. Please upload the completed form together with your application.

Application, Tuition and Examination Fees

The costs for the study program consist of registration, tuition and examination fees as well as contributions for teaching materials and excursions.

Application (per application) and aptitude assessment*	CHF 250
Matriculation**	CHF 100
Tuition fees (per semester)	CHF 750
Tuition fees for international students*** (per semester)	CHF 950
Examination fee (per semester)	CHF 80
Fee for social, cultural and sport offerings (per semester)	CHF 24
Membership fee for the Bern University of Applied Sciences Student Association (VSBFH) (per semester)	CHF 15
Leave of absence fee (per semester)	CHF 100

* The application fee can be paid by credit card or by deposit slip / paper invoice (+ CHF 10.– processing fee). There are no waivers or refunds for withdrawn or abandoned applications. The application is processed after payment has been received.
** If the application leads to matriculation, the matriculation fee is covered by the application fee.
*** International students are defined as persons of foreign citizenship who at the time of obtaining their university entrance qualification were domiciled under civil law neither in Switzerland nor the Principality of Liechtenstein.

There is also a fixed fee for materials whose amount depends on the degree programme as well as additional costs for teaching materials, specialist literature, supplies, etc.

Fees information sheet (PDF, 63 KB)

Grants, Loans and Support

General information about grants

If you have any questions regarding scholarships and loans please contact Karolina Soppa.

Advice + Information

Do you have any questions regarding content or administrative matters? Would you like an individual personal session to advise you on your studies? We are happy to help you.

Student Advisory Service

In order to assess your individual qualifications at an early stage, we strongly recommend that you get individualised advice before you start your studies. Appointments can be arranged with the degree programme office.

Head of Degree Programme

Prof. Elke Mentzel

Co-Studiengangsleitung KuR / Leitung GSP
+41 31 848 38 89
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Prof. Dr. Karolina Soppa

Co-Studiengangsleitung KuR / Leitung GuS
+41 31 848 38 97
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Secretariats

Secretariat HKB Conservation and Restoration

+41 31 848 38 78
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Secretariat Abegg-Stiftung

+41 31 808 12 01
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Studies + Life

The Bern University of Applied Sciences offers students a wide range of opportunities at its locations in Bern, Biel, Burgdorf and Basel to make life attractive and enjoyable during their studies.

Take a look at ‘Studies + Life’

Information Event

At our information events, you can find out everything you need to know about the degree programme, admission requirements and your career prospects. Our students talk about their experiences on the programme and give you a personal insight into their everyday life at the university.