Conservation of Historic Buildings MSc

Entry requirements

You should have a first or strong second-class Bachelor's honours degree or international equivalent.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in any discipline relating to the built environment including architecture, engineering, surveying, planning, geography, archaeology, history or management. We will also consider your application if you have an undergraduate degree in other disciplines, such as history of art, and wish to gain a vocational degree.

We may make an offer based on a lower grade if you can provide evidence of your suitability for the degree.

If your first language is not English but within the last 2 years you completed your degree in the UK you may be exempt from our English language requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Study the theory and practice of preserving historic architecture and cultural heritage sites in one of the world's most culturally significant cities.

We offer you the unique opportunity to learn how to design and manage conservation projects while studying in a UNESCO World Heritage site. Taught by experts in the field, our course focuses on preserving historic buildings and cultural heritage worldwide. You’ll gain knowledge of philosophical approaches to conserving the built environment and its significance within the context of international standards and charters. You’ll also explore materials, techniques, traditional constructional principles and structural behaviour.

To learn about conservation in practice, you’ll visit and work on case studies at historic buildings sites in the UK. These help you understand how our built heritage is repaired and re-used, and develop your technical and communication skills. You’ll finish your master’s degree with a large research project in an area of conservation that excites you.

Learn from experts in the field

Our course draws on the research knowledge in our Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering and expertise in the heritage sector. Our academics’ international collaborations and research feed into our teaching and contribute to your learning experience.

Use specialist facilities

We have a range of facilities to support your studies. Our library gives you access to online historical literature, maps and audio visual services, as well as professional databases such as Construction Information Services.

From course to career

We work with industrial partners to make sure you have the technical, communication and design skills that employers value. You’ll work on group projects with students on other construction-related MSc courses, preparing you for a range of professional positions. You’ll graduate with the ability to make a real contribution to the preservation of our architectural landscape. Our graduates have gone on to work in roles such as:

• Inspectors and managers at Historic England and English Heritage
• Senior National Trust managers and national amenity society inspectors
• Local authority conservation officers
• Conservation architects, engineers and surveyors in specialist practices

Information for international students

English language requirements

You will normally need one of the following:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Learn more via the fees and funding page.