Each year, the Institut national du patrimoine offers international heritage professionals the opportunity to apply to join the training programme for student heritage curators. International students are fully integrated into the classes recruited by competitive examination and follow all the courses and internships provided in this framework. At the end of this 18-month course, they are awarded the International Diploma in Heritage Curatorial Studies.
Much of the teaching is based on case studies and meetings with heritage professionals.
General modules common to all students (ethics, heritage law and economics, conservation-restoration, public management, etc.) provide the general knowledge essential to both the administrative and scientific dimensions of the profession of heritage curator.
The specialised teaching modules provide the knowledge and methods specific to each of the specialities: archaeology, archives, historic monuments - inventory, museums, scientific, technical, and natural heritage.
These courses are supplemented by thematic and in-depth seminars, for example in the fields of management, communication, documentation and archives for cultural services, and artistic and cultural education.
Most of the training takes place in Paris from January (year N) to June (year N+1). International students may be required to travel to other regions for tours and/or work placements.
Please note: the INP does not cover travel costs for international students, even for internships. They are therefore strongly advised to do their internships in France.
This course is aimed at all heritage professionals wishing to prepare themselves to manage a collection, take on departmental or project responsibilities, lead a team, gain an in-depth understanding of how the French heritage world works, and then work in collaboration with French curators.
The requirements are as follows:
- A very good academic level, comparable to that of candidates for the French curatorial competition.
- Ability to follow courses, conferences or meetings in French without difficulty (minimum B2 level to be proven).
- Proof of sufficient financial resources to ensure the financing of the stay during the 18-month training period (accommodation, transport, etc.).
Applications must be completed and sent by e-mail to @email or by post to the following address: Mr Charles Personnaz, Director - Institut national du patrimoine - 2 rue Vivienne - 75002 Paris.
A committee will decide in July whether to admit candidates, subject to the number of places available.
Nationals of the Member States of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, who hold a bachelor's degree, may sit the competitive examination for curators giving access, after training at the INP, to the State curatorial body or to the employment category of local heritage curators. However, it is not possible for a candidate who has completed the 18-month application course as an international student and obtained the international diploma in heritage conservation studies to then sit the competitive examination to become a curator.
The Institut national du patrimoine covers the cost of the course (tuition fees, individual support, teaching, travel expenses for external tours, etc.) and the candidate undertakes to attend classes regularly and punctually.
Students must pay for their own international travel, administrative formalities (visa, etc.), their stay in France (accommodation, food, local transport), social security cover (sickness, civil liability and repatriation) and accommodation during their internships.
Candidates wishing to enrol on the heritage conservation course can apply for various French government scholarships.
“HERITAGE” BURSARIES
As part of its policy of strengthening cooperation in the field of heritage, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) has launched a programme of scholarships for African students and heritage professionals to enable them to follow a course of study in a partner French higher education establishment.
Successful applicants will receive:
a living allowance for the duration of their stay in France (€1,700/month);
payment of an arrival package including the amount intended to cover training costs and a lump sum of €500 for travel;
social security cover;
support in finding accommodation.
There will be two stages in the selection process: firstly, the Institut National du Patrimoine will pre-select applications according to various criteria, including a good command of French and the presentation of a relevant career plan. At the same time, applicants will send a copy of their application to the Service de coopération et d'action culturelle (SCAC) in their country of residence, which will issue an opinion.
secondly, on the basis of the ranking of applications established by the INP, the MEAE will make the final selection by cross-referencing the following criteria:
1. academic excellence of applications;
2. advice from the posts;
3. the Minister's geographical priorities;
4. balance between countries and specialities;
5. importance of the applicants' home institutions in the strategy of the posts;
6. gender equality.
