Architectural Conservation MSc

The MSc in Architectural Conservation is a taught course aimed at professionals and academics world-wide with an interest in architectural heritage including architects, engineers, archaeologists, art historians, geographers and surveyors.

This course is fully recognised by The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). The course provides both a thorough understanding of architectural heritage and the skills required to contribute to the preservation and development of historic sites. Benefiting from its location in the historic city of Canterbury, the programme combines the study of conservation theory and philosophy with an exploration of the technical aspects of repair and reconstruction. The city’s stunning cathedral provides students with an education resource, giving them the opportunity to learn from the conservation of a World Heritage Site.

Open to students and professionals with an interest in architectural heritage, the course represents an ideal gateway to a career in demanding professional fields, such as conservation-oriented architectural practice, conservation consultancy and heritage management. As the future leaders in these fields, the course’s graduates are expected to play a central role in disciplines that lie at the centre of the current economic, environmental and social agendas.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• ensure you are equipped with academic, professional, and personal skills and qualities that enable you to make a positive contribution related to the preservation of historic buildings.
• cultivate an appreciation of the different values that people can attach to historic buildings and places.
• promote an awareness of traditional building crafts as a valuable cultural resource.
• develop a thorough understanding of the processes that maintain and enhance historic places and the activities that change them.
• develop knowledge of the theoretical, historical, and professional context of architectural conservation.
• promote multidisciplinary collaboration and interaction with a wide range of professional bodies and individuals who have a role to play in the development of the built environment.
• ensure graduates develop the knowledge and confidence necessary to provide informed and specialist advice and to cultivate an awareness of their responsibility as consultants in the field of architectural conservation.
• understand the role that architectural conservation has to play as part of the modern ecological agenda.
• encourage the observation of the historic environment as a whole and its use as an educational resource.
• provide teaching informed by research and scholarship.
• develop an understanding of how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research.
• enable you to develop strategies for self-improvement and commitment to research and learning.
• build on close ties within Europe and elsewhere, reflecting Kent’s position as the UK’s European university.
• promote the understanding and preservation of local and national architectural heritage.

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is mostly through coursework, with essays, reports, projects and the dissertation.

Students need to have a first or 2.1 in architecture or a related discipline (eg, engineering, surveying, planning, geography, archaeology, art history, heritage management). Applicants may be required to attend an interview or to submit a portfolio showing aptitude for the subject and appropriate ability. Applicants who are unable to attend an interview will be asked to send a portfolio or sample of their written work. All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, and professional qualifications and experience will also be taken into account when considering applications.