Historic Building Conservation MSc
- Architecture and interiors
- Postgraduate
Preserve the past for the future. This MSc gives you the knowledge and skills to conserve historic structures while addressing modern sustainability challenges.
Learn to preserve architectural heritage with practical expertise
Do you want to become a professional within the specialist field of historic building conservation?
Working with a range of professionals and specialists, you will become familiar with the interdisciplinary nature of the field.
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of building conservation principles. We combine hands-on fieldwork and industry engagement to prepare you for a rewarding career in heritage conservation.
Studying in an investigative manner, you’ll analyse opportunities and legislation to protect the historic buildings that define national identities the world over. Prepare to extend your current practice and/or gain knowledge and expertise in new areas.
Why choose this course
Kingston University’s MSc in Historic Building Conservation is accredited by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). Your MSc course is also fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). These valuable links with recognised awarding bodies give graduates a head-start towards becoming a chartered professional.
Studying at our Knights Park campus places you close to some of the country’s most renowned historic buildings. On this course, you'll visit many of London's fascinating historic buildings to illustrate and inform your learning. Past and ongoing works at the Historic Royal Palaces, together with several national and local heritage organisations and practitioners, are used to support your project work.
When you’re not visiting local sites, you’ll work within our highly regarded facilities on campus. Put your knowledge into practice in our industry-standard 3D workshops. Or access historical archives within the University’s libraries, museum, and on-site galleries.
You’ll benefit from expert-led teaching, field trips to significant heritage sites and collaborations with conservation professionals. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in heritage consultancy, local government and preservation projects worldwide.
Accreditations
The course is recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).
This course is fully accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). On successful completion, graduates who are in suitable employment may proceed to the RICS final assessment programme.
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and labs are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
The course is designed to balance strategic analysis with a good working knowledge of core techniques. You will acquire the skills and knowledge to extend your current practice and/or gain knowledge and expertise in new areas. You will work with a range of professionals and specialists to broaden your understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the field. An optional week-long field trip to a European city will provide the opportunity to further develop your technical knowledge and embed it within a practice scenario.
You'll be required to complete five modules worth 180 credits in total.
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.
Modules
You will need to study in an investigative manner. Each of the taught modules incorporates:
- an extensive lecture programme; and
- significant amounts of individual and small group work, culminating in oral and written presentations.
Seminars and tutorials support the project module. The week-long field trip is a highlight of the programme, in which you will have the opportunity to put some of your theory into practice.
Introductory lectures and seminars also support the research element of the course, introducing you to social science research methods and practice.
Core modules
Career opportunities
This MSc prepares you for a career as a conservation officer, heritage consultant, or roles in international heritage organisations.
The Historic Building Conservation course is interdisciplinary and international. Current and former students include:
- Archaeologists
- Architects
- Architectural technologists
- Chartered surveyors
- Craftsmen
- Engineers
- Project and construction managers.
Industry connections in Historic Building Conservation
The course team works with a variety of different organisations to gain real-world insight into the industry. We have close working relationships with Historic Royal Palaces, building preservation trusts, Historic England, specialist practitioners, craftsmen and contractors.
You might also build towards an application to the Institute of Historic Building Conservation or other professional specialist registers.
Teaching and assessment
The course employs a range of approaches to teaching and learning, including lectures, seminars, group critiques, individual tutorials, optional study visits, presentations and workshops.
Fees and funding
Fees for future course years
Part time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Historic Building MSc at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
For courses that select on application alone, applicants should normally receive an initial decision or a request for more information within four to six weeks of receipt of their application. Our admissions team will notify you of the decision by email.
Learn more about the postgraduate application process in detail.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
