Conservation Studies (Historic Buildings) – (M.A.)

This course, offered by the Centre for Conservation Studies is now over 35 years old, was the first of its kind in the UK. It was inherited from the former Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies when it was absorbed into the Archaeology Department in 1997 and sits well within our portfolio of specialist interests in Archaeological Heritage Management and the Archaeology of Buildings, with which it shares modules.

The core of the Conservation Studies syllabus is the consideration of the history, ethics and philosophy of conservation, coupled with an introduction to the practical issues of finance, economics and project management associated with conservation projects. Alongside these core aspects of conservation is a series of short modules on specific building materials .

These materials modules are taught by external specialists in their fields and take the form of 'mini-conferences' with external delegates attending them as short-course 'refreshers'. Wherever possible they include a practical element and field observation of the structural and mechanical problems that have been discussed in the lecture theatre.

The recent modularisation of masters programmes within the Archaeology Department allows for Conservation Studies students to break away from the this traditional syllabus and pursue their interests in buildings recording and analysis or in the presentation and interpretation of the heritage, should they wish to do so.
The long history of the programme means that we have a network of strong and fruitful relationships at local, national and international levels. Amongst its distinctive features, the Masters programme is:

* specifically for mid-career professionals working in conservation (defined as those who have worked in one capacity or another for a minimum of two years);
* multi-disciplinary - architects, surveyors, architectural historians, art-historians, archaeologists, planners and conservators and practising craftsmen in various fields are among those attracted to the course; and - above all -
* International. Up to half our student intake comes from outside the British Isles.