Building Conservation & Adaptation

Program Overview

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Building Conservation & Adaptation

MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Campus

• Preston Campus

Start

• September 2025

Duration

• 1 year

Delivery

• In-person

This course focuses on the repair, conservation and adaptation of historic buildings and sites, with the primary aims of conserving significance and sustaining active use.

You’ll examine the challenges involved in managing historic buildings and look at the role they play in the sustainable revitalisation of our towns and cities.

As well as exploring the techniques of conservative repair, adaptation, retro-fitting and extension in depth, you’ll also analyse the legislation involved in the protection of historic sites. You’ll gain an understanding of the challenges heritage experts encounter in finding viable uses for at-risk buildings in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially viable, while managing to conserve what makes them special.

This course offers the ideal foundation for a fascinating career working within the heritage sector and the historic built environment.

Why study with us

• Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and fully recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC).
• Our industry connections provide you with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience with some of the biggest names in the heritage sector.
• You’ll be taught by expert practitioners with extensive knowledge and experience working within the historic built environment.

What you’ll do

• Through regular workshops and site visits, you’ll be able to network with industry professionals including many of our alumni, all enjoying successful careers in the heritage sector.
• Opportunities to work on hands-on projects. Recent students have carried out research in partnership with Historic England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, local authorities, and others.
• The course equips you with the skills necessary to flourish in the heritage sector, using real life case studies as the basis for analysis and skill development.

Modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Regeneration
  • You will study regeneration and placemaking, including the aims, policies, issues and debates. You'll consider the underlying causes and problems, and how effective regeneration is as a solution. You'll critically evaluate the philosophical and theoretical underpinning of the process, and how it can help to ensure a sustainable future.
  • Module code: BN4001
• Building Analysis and Recording
  • You will develop the skills required to record and analyse historic buildings. You'll learn how to survey and interpret the history of a building through inspection and archival research. You'll consider construction technology, architectural taste, and social and economic contexts. This will help you to determine the significance of a building.
  • Module code: BN4002
• History of Buildings and Towns
  • In this module you will study the historical environments of settlements. You will study architectural styles and construction techniques, and you will be able to investigate how social influences and technology have impacted on buildings and the environment.
  • Module code: BN4604
• Master's Dissertation
  • You will be provided with the opportunity to develop and showcase your skills in independent research and produce a high standard dissertation, fit for publishing. You will be required to couple both academic research and investigation skills in order to study and reflect critically.
  • Module code: BN4609
• Building Conservation
  • You'll consider and debate the philosophical issues and principles of heritage conservation, especially historic. You'll study how the nature and distinctiveness of buildings and places are dynamic, as well as physical and environmental, and social, economic, and political considerations.
  • Module code: BN4610
• Adaptive Re-Use
  • The aim of this module is for you to gain a knowledge of adaptive re-use in the built environment, focusing on traditional buildings and historically sensitive sites. You'll explore regulatory, technical and economic factors and analyse how they influence options for change.
  • Module code: BN4611
• Conservative Repair
  • You'll study defects in traditional buildings due to material decay or structural problems. Learn approaches and considerations that apply to building conservation. To survive, be non-destructive, and preserve heritage. Study legislation, protections, and evaluate the conservative repair approach.
  • Module code: BN4612

Entry requirements

• Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree preferably in a related subject such as Surveying, Archaeology, Architecture, Town Planning, History, Geography
• Students with relevant and extensive industry experience will also be considered
• A detailed admissions procedure will be forwarded on application

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,450 per year (full-time), £1,050 per 20 credits (part-time)
• International: £17,900 per year (full-time)

Additional costs

• As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

• We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Learning and assessment

• Throughout the course you’ll attend classes and regular workshops which often include site visits and guest lectures.
• You’ll be assessed in various ways, including written assignment work, group presentations and exams.

Accreditations

• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
• Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)

Our alumni

• Our alumni include architects and technologists, conservation officers, heritage officers, planning consultants, project managers, surveyors, archaeologists, and craftspeople.

Future careers

• This course has been running for over two decades and has a successful track record of equipping students with the skills and experience they need to forge successful careers working within the heritage sector and the historic built environment.