Conservation and Restoration of Ceramics is a three-year, full-time study course concluded with a graduation exam. Over the course of the study the undergraduates are introduced to all techniques of ceramic production and its preservation and they are given opportunities to reconstruct and restore objects from museum collections as well as from other institutions and private collectors. Thus they obtain a high degree of familiarity with archaeological material, faïence, majolica and vernacular pottery, and also with objects cast from plaster. Moreover, the restored artefacts also include first-rate collection objects made of porcelain and other ceramic materials. From the beginning of their studies onwards the students acquire knowledge of material culture from Czech history, become versed in the elements of monument care and learn to date the objects. The graduates are therefore qualified to work with all kinds of ceramic materials, they can carry out restoration, conservation and manufacturing techniques related to ceramics, they learn to understand the objects in their historical context and thus they can perform the restorer’s profession either independently or in a variety of organizations whose collections contribute to the preservation of historical legacy.

The pottery workshop provides opportunities for the performance of special manufacturing techniques, so that the students can try local manufacturing techniques as well as techniques that are less well-known, such as special historical manufacturing processes and firings of pottery.

The study of practical subjects such as conservation and restoration, art classes, modelling and practical exercises is complemented with theoretical subjects. The students acquire knowledge of art history, the history of craft, technology, visual documentation methods and a foreign language. Internships, taking place both in the Czech Republic and abroad, are an important part of the studies. The course is concluded with a graduation exam, which includes a complete restoration of an assigned object, assembling of a restoration documentation and an examination in theoretical subjects.