Furniture conservator/restorer : Entry requirements

Although this area of work is open to all graduates, a degree or HND in the following subjects may increase your chances:

• furniture conservation/restoration;
• art and design (craft);
• furniture studies;
• furniture design;
• three-dimensional design;
• furniture making.

Entry without a degree or HND is possible, and GCSE and A-level subjects in science or technical subjects, design technology and history are all relevant. In order to develop your career, a recognised qualification at HND, diploma or degree level or above is required.

Courses are available at HND, degree and postgraduate levels, both full time and part time. Entry requirements vary from course to course, so it is important to check with the individual colleges and universities.

When choosing your course, you should check that it suits your career plans and personal interests as the focus of courses differs. Some courses provide specialist training in antique furniture restoration, while others include aspects of furniture design and making; some are more focused on theory, others on extensive practical training. Most courses include the following elements:

• furniture history;
• types of materials;
• practical workshop training;
• specialist crafts, such as cabinet making, upholstery and decorative techniques;
• business management and awareness.

Most restorers and almost all conservators gain an appropriate qualification prior to starting work in this field, but there is some scope for entering as an apprentice and training on the job. Some major museums have internship schemes which, although usually unpaid, are useful for gaining practical experience. Contact individual museums for further information.

Entry to this field is competitive as there are fewer apprenticeships with restoration companies than there used to be. However, it is worth pursuing these types of opportunities, either before or after gaining a qualification, in order to get experience of working with clients and their furniture. It can also provide an understanding of the demands of conservation and restoration work within a commercial environment.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• good practical skills;
• a good level of technical ability to deal with the detailed and delicate nature of the work;
• a combination of artistic and scientific ability and interests;
• good oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly to clients;
• patience and a methodical approach;
• creative problem-solving skills;
• perseverance, commitment and a genuine enthusiasm for the work.

In order to establish and maintain a professional reputation, it is recommended that you become a member of an appropriate professional body, such as:

• British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association (BAFRA)    
• The Institute of Conservation (Icon)    
• The Guild of Master Craftsmen   

Formally, this provides a recognised quality standard to work towards and routes for professional development. Informally, it may provide valuable networking opportunities and access to information on vacancies in a field where work is often found through word of mouth and recommendation.

Both BAFRA and Icon list on their websites the courses they recognise, and Icon also offers internships.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.