Admitted on a competitive basis, student conservators-restorers within the Inp follow a 5-year training programme in order to acquire the necessary foundation and skills for the restoration of heritage works and objects. This training programme leads to a diploma in conservation-restoration of cultural heritage.   

Access conditions

Admission to 2nd, 3rd or 4th year is open to both French and Foreign candidates, under 35 years of age by 31st December of the year preceding the admission session, be in possession of a certificate or diploma or equivalent degree (or in the process of acquiring one, provided that this certificate or diploma be awarded no later than 30th June of the admission session year).
Admission to 2nd, 3rd or 4th year may be granted, on the basis of jury appreciation.
Candidates for 2nd, 3rd or 4th year can only attempt the admissions test two times in total.

Dossier assessment submitted by the candidate

The selection board makes a study of the dossiers submitted by the candidates; they must demonstrate their knowledge in heritage conservation-restoration both on a theoretical and practical level (university education or equivalent, professional experience, training periods…). Each dossier should also specify in detail the teaching module followed in terms of conservation-restoration and be able to present an ECTS graduation certificate (European credit transfer and accumulation system).

Those candidates selected by the board after successful examination of their dossiers are invited to sit the admission tests.

Admission

Test in manual dexterity and colour
Note : test modification from 2018.

This test aims to evaluate the candidates manual skills and colour sensitivity, it consists of two parts, each part marked out of 10 :
- mechanised removal of paint layers on a wooden support with a scalpel (2h) ;
- Watercolour reproductions of a series of colours (2h).
Duration : 4 h – coefficient 5.

Interview with the selection board

The interview consists of two parts.
- Presentation of a condition report followed by a condition assessment and treatment proposal of an art piece, object or document to be restored relating to the specialty that the candidate has chosen for the competitive examination (40 min) ;
- Interview with the selection board to enable an assessment to be made of the candidate’s motivation and ability in the area of conservation-restoration.
Duration : 1 h, with 1 hour of preparation time – coefficient 2.
The language used for dossier presentation and admissibility tests is French.