Historic Conservation (PGDip PGCert)

Course Structure

1. Conservation and Regeneration: Theory, Law and Practice focuses on theoretical and practical concepts in the field of conservation and heritage and the different values that they reflect. It also examines the politics and philosophy of conservation underpinning present policies and practice, including those relating to sustainability and reuse of built resources. The module also examines the legal measures that exist to preserve and enhance the historic environment and how these may operate in practice. It also considers public policy frameworks and the agencies involved in the process.
2. Building Construction and Repair examines the properties of traditional materials and their supply, selection and use in conservation. It also discusses the process of decay of traditional materials, methods of repair, structural principles in relation to historic buildings, environmental factors affecting historic fabric and modern interventions into historic buildings.
3. Historic Building Analysis and Recording is a skill-based module enabling you to develop expertise in understanding the special architectural and historical characteristics of a particular site, building, or group of buildings and to develop techniques for their representation through research, measurement, drawing and recording.
4. Historical Studies I and II are linked modules taught in consecutive semesters. Module I concentrates on the medieval period and provides an introduction to the evolution of the landscape and the major elements of architectural history in England, up to the 16th century. Module II continues the themes introduced in Historical Studies I and analyses the major architectural developments and their influences in England from the 16th century to the present day.
5. Design for Conservation is intended to enable you to develop a critical understanding of the processes involved in design management and brief formulation in the context of historic conservation. It enables students to develop skills of analysis of historic townscape, understand basic principles of urban design and formulate design guidance and codes for sensitive historic areas. You will develop skills in critical analysis of existing or proposed buildings, in preparing design briefs for sites in historic areas and in presenting design concepts.
6. Conservation Economics provides an introduction to financial and economic aspects specific to the conservation and regeneration of historic buildings and areas including funding, development appraisal and the particular characteristics of the property market relating to historic buildings and areas.
7. Research Methods (Design), which provides a critical knowledge of methods and skills of research and their application to investigative work that informs conservation and design.
8. MSc Dissertation, which is an individual research study of 15,000-20,000 words. It reveals abilities to define and research an issue or problem of relevance to the discipline of historic conservation.