Kingston University London

Why choose this course?

The UK’s historic built environment is rich and diverse, providing an important sense of national identity, contributing to our quality of life and benefiting the country’s economy and education. This course provides vocational training in the repair, maintenance and improvement of historic buildings. It enables you to combine academic study with industrial experience.

On completion of the foundation degree, you will have the option to top up to BSc(Hons) level. Kingston University has a top up in Historic Building Conservation specifically written as the progression route for students once they have achieved the foundation degree.

What will you study?

You will study construction and architectural topics together with specialist subjects relating to building conservation. You will undertake academic modules at a partner institution of Kingston University, currently anticipated to be the Building Crafts College (BCC) in Stratford, and work-based modules with a company specialising in historic building conservation.

The work-based modules are based on the NVQ in Building Site Management (Conservation). It will be possible to achieve the full NVQ if sufficient work-based evidence is obtained. If you achieve the full NVQ in Building Site Management (Conservation) can apply for incorporated membership of the Chartered Institute of Building.

Specialist field trips and courses – such as a five-day programme with Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) – are included as part of the course.

The top-up degree is offered part time or full time and also includes academic and project-based modules. Only students who have successfully completed the foundation degree are eligible to start the BSc(Hons) top-up, which has been designed to fully complement the foundation degree and provide a wider construction industry focus within the specialist field of historic buildings and conservation.