Starting Out
Starting Out
A guide aimed at pre-course volunteers and trainees, students on record keeping, archive and archive conservation courses, and newly qualified professionals. This page will advise on all aspects of starting out in these three professions and hopefully provide all the information you'll need.
- Pre-Course Experience
- Qualifications - Archives and Records Management
- Qualifications - Conservation
- Career
Pre-Course Experience
If you are interested in one of these professions it is always the best idea to try it out first to see if it really is for you. Nearly all archives across the UK will take on volunteers so that you can get on the job experience. The ARA has a link of archives that are willing to take on volunteers but it is by no means exhaustive, the full list of UK archives is available on the National Archives ARCHON website so that you can find those local to your area.
Volunteer positions are usually unpaid however some facilities might offer to reimburse your travel costs, provide lunch or even allow you discounts in their cafe and shops.
Every year there are also many "Archive Assistant" posts or "Archive Trainee" posts intended for those who wish to gain pre-course experience. These posts are normally paid or have a bursary and will usually last up to a year. These pop up throughout the year and all over the UK, most are advertised on the Archives-NRA list, alongside general discussions and other events.
If you decide to apply for a degree course it is worth bearing in mind that all of them will ask for some element of pre-course experience, whether 60 hours or up to six months, this a vital rung to climb on the professional ladder.
Qualifications
These professions are all highly vocational and require a great deal of specialist knowledge which is taught mostly through postgraduate diplomas or degrees. Currently the ARA recognises a range of courses available at seven universities throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland, and these are available in a variety of manners. The tables below show the options available.
Full Time
| UCL | University College Dublin | University of Glasgow | University of Liverpool | Aberystwyth University | |
| Course Name | Archives and Records Management | Archives and Records Management | Information Management and Preservation | Archives and Records Management | Archive Administration |
| Degree Options | MA/PgDip | MA | MSc/PgDip | MARM/PgDip | MScEcon/PgDip |
| Course Length | 12mo/9mo | 12mo | 12mo/9mo | 12mo/9mo | 12mo/9mo |
| Cost (pa) | £8250 | 7600 euro
(~£6400) |
£4750 | £5135 | £4500 |
Part Time
| UCL | University College Dublin | University of Glasgow | Aberystwyth University | |
| Course Name | Archives and Records Management | Archives and Records Management | Information Management and Preservation | Archive Administration |
| Degree Options | MA/PgDip | MA | MSc | MScEcon/PgDip |
| Course Length | 24-60mo | 24mo | 24mo | 24mo |
| Cost (pa) | not stated | 4600 euro
(~£3800) |
£528 per 20 credit module | £2250 |
Distance Learning
| University of Dundee | Aberystwyth University | Northumbria University | |
| Course Name | Archives and Records Management | Archive Administration | Information and Records Management |
| Degree Options | MLitt/PgDip | MScEcon/PgDip | MSc/PGDip |
| Course Length | 30-60mo | 24-60mo | 24mo |
| Cost | £5930 | £6980 | unknown |
Information correct for 2013/14 courses.
Conservation
ICON is the Institute of Conservation and they are the voice for the conservation of the UK's cultural heritage.
The schools which offer conservation are listed below:
Camberwell College of Arts University of the Arts London
BA (Hons) Conservation
MA Conservation
PostgraduateDiploma Conservation
FdA Book Conservation
Hamilton Kerr Institute, University of Cambridge
The Conservation Diploma
BSc Conservation of Objects in Museums and Archaeology
MSc Care of Collections
MSc Conservation
City and Guilds of London Art School department of Conservation
Conservation Studies BA
Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation Studies
Postgraduate Diploma: Comparative Studies in Conservation Cleaning
Conservation of Easel Painting PgDip
MA Conservation of Wall Paintings
Institute of Archaeology at University College London
M.A. in Principles of Conservation
M.Sc in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums
BA (Hons) Conservation & Restoration
MA Conservation of Historic Objects
Graduate Diploma Conservation Studies
MA Conservation of Fine Art
MA Preventive Conservation
MA Conservation
MA Conservation Studies
Career
Once you've graduated the world of the job market opens up to you. Most people will be aware that there are fewer jobs available now for graduates than there used to be due to the recession, however do not let this put you off. Jobs are still advertised through the Archives-NRA list as well as by the ARA in the ARC Recruitment newsletter. Jobs can also be found in the usual ways via Google and newspapers.
Last Updated (Saturday, 19 January 2013 23:06) Wednesday, 23 February 2011 17:18