Ulysseus launches CORES: Joint Master’s Degree in Conservation and Restoration Sciences

On Tuesday 5 May, at the Reception Hall of Palazzo Tursi, headquarters of the Municipality of Genoa, the University of Genoa presented CORES – Conservation and Restoration Sciences, a joint master degree which aims at training professional Conservation Scientists.

Led by the University of Genoa as the coordinating institution, this innovative international degree programme involves the Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), Université Bordeaux-Montaigne (France), Univerzitet Crne Gore (Montenegro), and Universität Münster (Germany).

Representatives of Ulysseus partner universities included: Laura Gaggero, Vice Rector, delegate to Research of University of Genoa; Luis Vaccaro, Rector’s Delegate for the Erasmus+ European University “ULYSSEUS” strategic project; Pietro Marescotti, Coordinator of the Degree Course in Methodologies for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage; Paolo Piccardo, Coordinator of the CORES JMD project; Mariaserena Piva and Matilde Pedemonte, CORES project managers. For the partner Universities: Anne-Laure Metzger, Vice Présidente déléguée aux Relations Internationales, Université Bordeaux-Montaigne; Fernando Poyatos, Associate Professor, Fine Arts School of University of Seville.

CORES is part of Ulysseus European University, of which the University of Genoa is a partner – alongside the coordinator Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), Université Côte d’Azur (France), Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® Innsbruck (Austria), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Universität Münster (Germany), and Univerzitet Crne Gore (Montenegro).

Within the shared goal to enhance collaboration and generate impact through the internationalisation of activities, synergies, and the exchange of best practices within a territorial ecosystem of innovation, this initiative specifically addresses research, development, and training challenges in the Cultural Heritage sector, centered around the “Tourism & Heritage” Innovation Hub developed at the University of Genoa.

Funding for this programme was secured through the European Commission’s Erasmus Mundus Design Measures programme and has enabled two fundamental achievements: the definition of this new Joint Master Degree in Conservation and Restoration Sciences and the submission of a structured proposal under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees 2026 call (CORES JMD), currently under evaluation.

Focused on Sciences applied to conservation and restoration of Cultural Heritage, CORES will open applications in early 2027, and officially launch in the 2027/2028 Academic Year.

The Conservation Scientist

The core of the initiative is the training of the Conservation Scientist, a professional expert in scientific diagnostics and heritage valorisation, capable of integrating multidisciplinary skills ranging from chemistry and physics to art history and cultural heritage law.

The programme aims to contribute effectively to the conservation of both tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage, recognising that intangible traditions are an integral part of the value of archaeological finds and artworks. This professional figure is increasingly in demand internationally, particularly in the European countries involved, where such heritage is deeply rooted.

The CORES Joint Master Degree in Conservation and Restoration Sciences focuses on:

• International Collaboration: A consortium uniting the University of Genoa with Université Bordeaux Montaigne, Universidad de Sevilla, Univerzitet Crne Gore, and Universität Münster in a joint effort of collaborative teaching, training, and broad-spectrum research.
• Co-design: Following the evolution of contemporary academic training and aligning with principles of innovation and modernity built on tradition, the entire degree programme and individual courses benefit from collective input -including from alumni and current students- to rapidly optimise the design and management of CORES JMD.
• European Mobility: With a change of host institution each semester, students will study in at least three of the five partner countries. This ensures a European and transnational perspective, a key element in creating a European professional profile from the very start of the degree.
• Professional Integration: The program involves museums, research centers, and restoration laboratories, fostering direct synergies between the academic world and the business market.

CORES is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Genoa.With the support of the European Commission in the Erasmus Mundus Design Measure 2024. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

About Ulysseus

Ulysseus is one of the 73 European Universities alliances selected by the European Commission under its flagship initiative of the European strategy for universities. These alliances, co-funded by the European Commission, bring together almost 650 higher education institutions of all types from across Europe. Led by the University of Seville, the Ulysseus European University Alliance encompasses seven other partner universities: the Université Côte d’Azur (France), University of Genoa (Italy), the Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), MCI | The Entrepreneurial School® (Austria), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland), the University of Münster (Germany), and the University of Montenegro (Montenegro).