Program Overview

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Architecture & Sustainable Heritage MA

Overview

The Architecture and Sustainable Heritage MA offers a distinctive programme for those interested in studying the historic built environment. The course provides a unique platform for students to advance careers in heritage practice or engage in specialised research.

Course Structure

• Duration: 1 year
• Attendance: Full-time - September 2026
• UK Fees: £9,900 *
• International Fees: £16,000 *
• Alumni Discount: See details
• Duration: 1 year
• Campus: Marylebone, Central London

Course Summary

The Architecture and Sustainable Heritage MA focuses on collaborative interdisciplinary approaches, active learning, and skill acquisition. With an emphasis on employability, live case studies, and authentic assessment, this course has been designed to nurture a new generation of built-environment heritage professionals.

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Field trip – to deepen your understanding of the industry and connect theoretical concepts with real-world practices, you'll choose between overseas and London-based trips as part of the course. *
• Choose your specialism – you can choose from our wide range of optional modules to explore areas of specialism in depth.
• Learn from experts – you’ll be taught by academics and practitioners, experts in the field, who are involved in publication, research and consultancy for a variety of organisations in the UK and internationally.
• Central London location – our central London location allows you to interact with a wide variety of practitioners and organisations, as well as drawing on the city's huge range of heritage sites.
• Industry links – the School has established links with Historic England, The Twentieth Century Society, SAVE Britain's Heritage, The IHBC and numerous conservation architects and local authorities which will further enrich your learning experience.

Core Modules

• Contexts of Sustainable Heritage and Intervention
  • This module develops your understanding of heritage sites by exploring contemporary issues, mapping techniques, and resources.
  • 40 credits
• Heritage Theory and Practice: Dissertation
  • In this module, you’ll be introduced to the history, theory and practice of built-environment heritage through specialist guest-lectures, workshops, live case studies and dynamic seminar discussion.
  • 60 credits
• Research Methods in Built Environment Studies
  • This module develops fundamental research skills, beneficial in both an academic setting and professional environment.
  • 20 credits

Option Modules

• Reading London: place experience and representation
  • This module aims to capture London’s dynamics as a global city showcasing distinct periods of urban development and how it has been shaped through political, social, economic and cultural forces.
  • 20 credits
• Heritage in Action
  • This module focuses on issues of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the UK and globally, expanding knowledge beyond museums and galleries.
  • 20 credits
• Ethnographic Ways of Knowing: Critical and Creative Explorations of Site
  • This module will develop a deep methodological understanding of the phrase ‘culturally sensitive and critical designer’.
  • 20 credits
• Representing World Cultures
  • This module explores the issues and practices involved in the representation of world cultures.
  • 20 credits
• Future Archives
  • This module investigates the potential of digital art and design practices and advanced technologies such as 3D scanning and photogrammetry to expand and create the archive of the future.
  • 20 credits
• Theories of Critical Practices in Architecture
  • This module introduces you to major theoretical issues that are facing contemporary architectural practice across the world.
  • 20 credits
• Case Study
  • This module is committed to the rigorous investigation of a chosen interior environment(s), with particular focus on building typology, designed or otherwise, contemporary or historical and the relationship to/within the architectural setting.
  • 20 credits
• Conservation and Heritage
  • You’ll be introduced to the historic urban landscapes that form an important part of most towns and cities throughout the world.
  • 20 credits
• Destination Development – Case Study Perspectives
  • This module focuses on destinations and will evaluate and debate destination development strategies.
  • 20 credits
• Sustainable neighbourhood development and management
  • You’ll examine participatory planning, housing and land management for urban regeneration and community development in the developed and developing world contexts.
  • 20 credits
• Communities towards sustainability and public engagement
  • Following the growing awareness and recognisance of people's voices in shaping their places, the module addresses key issues around public engagement and themes of sustainability applied to the local scale.
  • 20 credits
• Environmental Policy Assessment and Climate Change
  • This module provides background on environmental policy and climate change.
  • 20 credits
• Responsible Management for Tourism and Events
  • The requirement for tourism and event businesses to operate sustainably, in the broadest sense, is now stronger than ever and for aspiring professionals, grounding in responsible practice has become a necessity.
  • 20 credits
• Planning for Urban Risk and Resilience
  • Cities and their populations everywhere are facing a future of growing uncertainty and vulnerability.
  • 20 credits
• Place and Experience in Design for Urban Spaces
  • This is a project-based module that examines the form, use and experience of public space and the notions of perception, identity, diversity, place, place making and place shaping.
  • 20 credits
• Post Carbon Culture
  • This module develops an historical overview of Environmental Design discipline and identifies the determinants of the so-called Post-Carbon Culture.
  • 20 credits
• Delivering the Event Experience
  • Event Concept and Design introduces the study of event design at post-graduate level and addresses the key theoretical concepts and management issues relevant to the development of events across a range of experience environments.
  • 20 credits
• Event Planning and Management
  • This module studies the activities undertaken by an event manager as an event is prepared for staging.
  • 20 credits

Professional Accreditation

This course is recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). Graduates can apply to become a full member with two years relevant professional experience, instead of five years of relevant experience required of other applicants.

Careers

The Architecture and Sustainable Heritage MA will establish graduates on a range of career paths, both within the UK and internationally. The specialised options within the course enhance employability by focusing on critical areas of practice, preparing graduates for a range of careers in heritage across a variety of sectors including NGOs, government agencies, public and the private sector.

Industry Knowledge

You’ll be taught by a teaching team with a wide range of experience both in industry and academia.

Choose Your Specialism

You can choose option modules to explore your area of specialism in depth.

Employers Around the World

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Industry Links

The course benefits from its location in central London and the School’s established links with Historic England, The Twentieth Century Society, SAVE Britain's Heritage, The IHBC, and numerous conservation architects and local authorities.

Job Roles

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles in a range of present and future industries, including:

• Conservation/sustainability officers
• Conservation architects
• Heritage consultants
• Urban designers
• Property managers
• Community developers
• Urban regeneration professionals
• Historic building inspectors
• Project managers in heritage and regeneration

Westminster Employability Award

Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.

Course Leaders

• Dr Kate Jordan - Reader
• Dr Maja Jovic - Assistant Head of School

Why Study This Course?

• Learn from expert tutors - Our internationally renowned academics have diverse experiences and a wealth of expertise working as architects, planners, heritage, tourism and events professionals, curators and researchers.
• Field Trip - Choose between an international or London-based field trip, to deepen your understanding of the industry and connect with real-world practices.
• Fantastic Location - You’ll study in the heart of London, a global city, with an abundance of heritage sites and destinations on the doorstep.

Entry Requirements

• UK
  • A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in architecture or a related art, design or built environment discipline such as planning, urban design, heritage & conservation, tourism planning.
  • If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.
• International
  • A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in architecture or a related art, design or built environment discipline such as planning, urban design, heritage & conservation, tourism planning.
  • If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £9,900 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £16,000 (Price per academic year)
• Alumni discount: This course is eligible for an alumni discount.
• Funding: There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Facilities

• Architecture studios - Our architecture studios provide unrivalled facilities for study and collaborative learning.
• Fabrication Laboratory - The Fabrication Laboratory allows students to explore the exciting field of digital fabrication.
• Marylebone Library - Marylebone Library has a range of books and other resources on Architecture and Interiors.

Teaching and Assessment

• How you'll be taught: Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• How you'll be assessed: Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Supporting You

• Student Hub - Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
• Study support - workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors - support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team - provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities - volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

• Marylebone Campus - In the heart of London, our Marylebone Campus is home to the Westminster Business School and our Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. Specialist workshops, dedicated digital and architecture studios, and our extensive Marylebone Library offer students everything they need for academic success.