What you will study
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
Analysis of Historic Buildings
30 credits
The module will provide students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to undertake the analysis of a historic building and its setting. Students will be able to assess and determine the significance of a heritage asset and how this can be understood, communicated, recorded and maintained. The range of techniques available to research and record a building will be covered, including different types and uses of surveying equipment and how their outputs are captured and evidenced using a variety of hand and digital graphic and photographic techniques.
The module offers an opportunity to consider the historic environment in a wider context and illustrates the range of approaches to building conservation undertaken today.
Defects, Pathology and Repair
30 credits
The module aims to enable students to develop a working knowledge of building defects and pathology and to develop their ability to recognise the causes of decay in historic buildings. Students will consider the different types of deterioration which affect building fabric and look at approaches to building management and options for effective repair. The module provides a review of current methods of investigation and testing and of determining options for repair.
Legislation and Economics for Historic Buildings
30 credits
The 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 the protection and alteration of buildings, including the design of contiguous new builds and to conservation and heritage areas. The module also introduces students to economic principles insofar as they apply to the historic environment and 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. Assessment is through coursework.
Regeneration and Conservation of Historic Environments
30 credits
This module introduces students to the ways in which historic building design relates to the historic environment within which it is set, and how these environments have evolved over time and continue evolving to this day. In addition to examining the architectural context, the module will also examine the social, economic and environmental issues which have resulted in today's urban, suburban and rural landscapes, and how government policy can effect change to these landscapes for urban and economic renewal.
The module is taught by a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials and students will be expected to take an active part in class and site activities, applying their knowledge to worked examples within the tutorial format. Assessment will comprise two individual and one group courseworks.
Research Project / Dissertation
60 credits
This final module provides you with the opportunity to design and execute an original research project related to your specific interests within the field of historic building conservation. You will develop a theoretically informed body of work that integrates both theory and practice. It may take the form of a dissertation, practice project, or experiment-based project. Within the module you will develop a sound grounding in research principles and methodologies. Through a series of lectures and seminars, supported by tutorials, you will be encouraged and enabled to develop your critical reasoning powers in the design of relevant research strategies.
