Training
For a multidisciplinary training in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage
The Opificio Higher Education School (SAFS – Scuola di Alta Formazione e Studio) for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage offers multidisciplinary and comprehensive graduate-level training that integrates humanities, technical and scientific skills.
Exclusive methodology
The activities, mainly practical-technical, take place in the Institute’s laboratories, participating the activities and experience of the eleven OPD Restoration Departments, in close dialogue with art historians, archaeologists and scientific experts: an exclusive methodology that embraces cultural heritage conservation within an interdisciplinary perspective, combining tradition and innovation.
Qualifying Title for the profession of Restorer
The final diploma awarded by the OPD Higher Education School is equated with a master’s degree in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (class LM-R/02), that qualifies to the profession of Restorer of Cultural Heritage.
Partnerships with universities and research institutions
All the training activities rely on a wide network of collaborations, with Universities, Institutes of Culture and national and international research Institutions
Educational offering
Dati
Five-year, single-cycle Master degree program in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
A rich course of training that embraces heritage at 360 degrees
The OPD Higher Education School awards a diploma equivalent to a Master degree in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in accordance with the Ministerial Decree No. 87 of May 26, 2009. The five-year degree program has the same curriculum for the 5 professional training programs (Italian Acronym PFP – percorso formativo professionalizzante) in which it is structured. In the theory fundaments, the curriculum is common to all the training programs, whilst the practical training part in the laboratories is differentiated for each program. The choice of the professional training program is made at the time of application for admission: each year an international call for applications provides for admission to one or more training programs (selected on a rotating basis) and is open to a maximum of 10 students per year.
Professional training program
PFP-1 Stone materials and derivatives, decorated surfaces in architecture
PFP-2 Painted artefacts on wooden and textile support. Artefacts carved in wood. Wooden furniture and constructions. Artefacts made with processed, assembled, and/or painted synthetic materials
PFP-3 Textile and leather materials and artefacts
PFP-4 Ceramic, glass, and organic materials and artefacts. Metal and alloy materials and artefacts
PFP-5 Book and archival material. Artefacts on paper and parchment. Photographic, film, and digital material.
A specialisation program in Conservation and Management of Contemporary Artworks.
320 hours of lectures, 200 hours of practical activities, 150 hours of internship, 150 hours of dissertation work.
Organised every two years by the Fondazione Opificio delle Pietre Dure, this Master program addresses the many complex challenges of contemporary art conservation and management using a multidisciplinary yet unified methodological approach, according to the tradition of the OPD.
ITP – International Training Projects
Training programs for university students and/or professionals in the field of cultural heritage conservation and restoration from foreign countries.
A three-year project (2016/19) coordinated by the Directorate General for Education and Research (DG-ER) and funded by Ales spa, with the aim of promoting the Institutes of Excellence of the Italian Ministry of Culture (then MiBACT).
Internship
The Opificio delle Pietre Dure offers internships within the Restoration Laboratories, the Photographic Archives, the Library, the Cultural Promotion Office and the Scientific Laboratory.The Institute accepts curricular internships only.
Internship applications must be sent to the following e-mail: opd.tirocini@cultura.gov.it
Advanced training program on cultural heritage management and conservation
The courses are designed for a community of professional people working in the field of cultural heritage who plan to develop interdisciplinary skills in specific fields concerning heritage conservation and protection.
FOP – Fondazione Opificio – in conjunction with the Opificio delle Pietre Dure, is promoting an advanced training program in the shape of specialist seminars and interdisciplinary workshops on cultural heritage management and conservation.
Admission Competition for the OPD Higher Education School (5 year degree)
Admission to the OPD Higher Education School is through an open international competition, announced each year by the Ministry of Culture, indicating the professional training programs for which one can apply. Classes are taught in Italian.
A requirement for admission to the competition is possession of a five-year high school diploma (or four-year diploma plus one supplementary year). EU and non-EU citizens can participate in the competition.
Higher Education School – Notices and Announcements
Here you can find the latest updates regarding the OPD Higher Education School Study and the admission competition
Concorso (2026/2027)Concorso SAFS OPD – Criteri di valutazione delle prove di ammissione
Si pubblicano i criteri di valutazione relativi alle prove di ammissione del Concorso SAFS OPD
Concorso (2026/2027)Concorso ammissione SAFS OPD – Elenco degli ammessi e calendario prove
Si pubblica l’elenco degli ammessi a sostenere la prima prova del Concorso SAFS OPD e il calendario delle prove
Higher Education School Secretary’s Office
Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Contact us for more information on admissions, enrolment, fees and contributions:
tel. 055 2651325 | opd.saf@cultura.gov.it
Career prospects
At the end of the five-year degree course, after the discussion of the final dissertation – which has the value of a qualifying state exam, the graduates obtain the title of Restorer of Cultural Heritage, a professional who defines the conservation conditions of artefacts, enacting a series of direct and indirect actions to limit the deterioration processes of the constituent materials and thus ensuring preservation, safeguarding their cultural value.
Restorers analyse and interpret data on the item’s constituent materials, the technique of execution and the conservation conditions. They plan and direct procedures to the extent of their competence, as well as carry out conservation and restoration interventions. They also manage and coordinate other professionals in activities complementary to restoration. Lastly, they conduct research, experimentation, and teaching activities in the field of conservation.
The quality of our training starts with the choice of our teachers.
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The degree program according to our students
Find out how students who attend our courses and graduates rate them. You can find their opinions on teaching, teachers, services, and course organization.
Our Open Days
Each year we present Open Days. Events dedicated to discovering the wide range of our training courses, specialisation courses, internships, etc.