Historic Building Conservation MSc

Facts about Historic Building Conservation

Qualification	MSc
Duration	Full time: 1 year Part time: 2 years
Attendance	Full time: at least two full days per week for contact teaching.
Assessment	A wide range of methods, including essays, reports, seminars, laboratory exercises, a group field trip project, presentations, a dissertation and a conference paper.
Course structure

Choose Kingston's Historic Building Conservation MSc

The course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The demand for conservation specialists both in the UK and beyond remains healthy despite the current recession. The conservation agenda is growing in importance, particularly in the public sector, but also with private organisations which find they have to deal competently and profitably with historic buildings whilst meeting legal requirements.

The role of the conservation surveyor has come sharply in to focus as the number of listed buildings grows. These buildings require surveying professionals who possess a body of specialised knowledge which goes beyond that required for a general practice building surveyor.

The MSc in Historic Building Conservation aims to produce surveying professionals with this specialised knowledge, and to provide appropriately qualified people who can ensure that the stock of historic buildings is managed and maintained effectively.

What will you study?

The MSc in Historic Building Conservation is an intensive course of study, covering those areas critical to a thorough understanding of the specialisms required of the historic building conservation professional.

Because of this specialism, it is primarily aimed at those who possess a degree in a closely related subject (such as building surveying), or those with relevant practical experience.

Find out more by watching a video of senior lecturer Steve Houchin talking about the Historic Building Conservation BSc and MSc courses:

Research areas

Many of the staff in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
Find out more...

Course structure

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.

Core modules

Analysing and Recording Historic Buildings
Analysing and Recording Historic Buildings

This module covers the different types and uses of surveying equipment used on building surveys and enables students to record the nature and condition of historic buildings It also includes the analysis of building materials and soil investigation and structural failure in historic buildings at both sub and superstructure level. The module will also investigate the causes of building materials' failure and appropriate methods of conservation.
Building Defects and Pathology
Building Defects and Pathology

The study of building defects and pathology aims to develop in students the ability to recognise causes of obsolescence and dilapidations in buildings and to prepare schedules of condition and dilapidations. It also develops in students an understanding of the need for building management and maintenance together with the skills and knowledge to prepare effective plans.
Conservation Economics
Conservation Economics

This module aims to introduce students to the principles of economics as they apply to the historic environment and the conservation of historical buildings. In particular the module considers the case for protection and conservation and the economic instruments used in the private and public sector to make decisions relating to conservation of the built environment. Delivery is by lectures and seminars and it is assessed through coursework.
Conservation Legislation
Conservation Legislation

This module aims to provide students with a deep and critical knowledge of the law, policy and regulation frameworks that apply to listed and heritage buildings, both within the UK and in a European context. In particular the module covers law relating to protection and alteration of buildings, including the design of contiguous new builds and to conservation and heritage areas. Delivery is by lecture and seminar and assessment is through an essay and a professional report in the form of expert witness or other legal submission.
Design and Historic Environments
Design and Historic Environments

This module introduces students to the way in which historic building design relates to historic environments. The organic growth of a historic urban area is examined and individual building design is appraised from the viewpoint of urban design and architectural features. Students will be encouraged to appreciate the history of British building design.
European project
European project

One of the highlights of the programme is a week long field trip to a major European city. This normally takes place at the end of the Spring term. This module provides the opportunity for students to work in groups and undertake a major task involving various aspects of their study and enabling them to integrate learning from across several modules.

Additionally, students undertake individual work to ensure that they gain the ability to reflect and to deepen their technical knowledge in an aspect of their studies. The module is delivered primarily through the field trip and assessed by reports, both group and individual.
Historic and Sustainable Building Materials
Historic and Sustainable Building Materials

The aim of this module is for students to gain an in-depth and critical knowledge of historic materials, their use and characteristics and also how to relate them to their historical period; further it aims to enable students to apply this knowledge to advice of the conservation and preservation of such materials within the constraints and requirements of 21st century usage. Delivery is by lecture, seminars and site visits and assessment is by coursework and a case study.
Regeneration
Regeneration

Integrating sustainable strategies in regeneration practice is an important aim, as places – far from being exclusively clusters of buildings – are complex socio-economic systems that need more integrated answers to solve the problems they are affected by. This module on Regeneration provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of social, economic and environmental issues, problems and their causes in urban, suburban and rural spatial contexts. Also there is the opportunity to critique different types of strategies and drivers, funding options and plans and the role of key players in providing solutions to the revitalization and regeneration of communities.

Research modules

Research Concepts for the Built Environment
Research Concepts for the Built Environment

This half module introduces students to the research process and enables them to acquire a critical knowledge of the concept and theory of various research methodologies, appropriate to the built environment. It provides them with practice of conducting research via secondary sources, within their own guided choice of subject. Delivery is by a series of seminars, workshops and tutorials and assessment is through a literature review and portfolio of critical reviews.
Research Proposal for Dissertation
Research Proposal for Dissertation

This module aims to provide students with practice of devising an original primary research strategy for a specific research project, appropriate to satisfying the course objectives. In so doing it ensures that they explore and critically evaluate primary research methodology and proposals by requiring them to prepare a well developed research proposal which will be preparatory to undertaking their dissertation or master's project. In preparing the proposal students are supported by workshops, seminars and tutorials.
Dissertation
Dissertation

This double module is designed to ensure that students can produce a substantial, original body of authoritative work by engaging in both primary and secondary research at masters level. It enables them to achieve a comprehensive understanding and application of the key issues of the subject selected and aims to develop in students a commitment to research and understanding of its likely role in their future careers. Students are supported by tutorials and assessment is by a written dissertation.
Conference Paper
Conference Paper

This half module provides students with the opportunity to devise and deliver an original piece of research in open forum and thereby helps them to extend the ethos of research culture into their subsequent professional work, and to encourage continuing professional development and life-long learning. The module requires them to develop an aspect of their dissertation or master's project (as applicable) into a short conference paper and presentation and to deliver this. Assessment is of both the written paper and the oral presentation.