Conservation of the Historic Environment Birmingham City University

Overview

What's covered in the course?

Through introducing a range of different skillsets and disciplines, our course gives you the skills to become a professional within the field of historic building conservation.

The foundations of conservation are introduced through firstly establishing the basic concepts, understanding philosophical, legal and historical aspects of British buildings.

You will experience an emphasis on practical learning within the course as you choose from a series of workshops surrounding building materials. Explore and acquire a range of specialist industry skills in areas such as metal and timber, ceramic building materials and the use of lime in historic buildings.  

As well as instilling the fundamental skills needed to be a professional in the field of conservation, the course also prides itself on producing professionals that are able to manage and lead a project from visualisation and design, through to implementation. The second year provides insights into the realities of a project, such as ensuring sustainability and financial viability, encouraging forward thinking professionals that are able to see a project through to completion.

The second year also focuses on building elements and the historic environment, including working in a range of environments from historic interiors, parks and gardens to exploring the heritage of canals.

A dissertation at the end of the second year culminates all of the knowledge, perspectives and practical skills that you have developed whilst on the course, and provides the opportunity to specialise in an area of conservation that you have found most stimulating. Conservation of the Historic Environment - MA / PgCert / PgDip is provided by Birmingham City University.

Why Choose Us?

• Friday - Saturday delivery provides flexibility for students in employment.
• Choice of practical workshops allows understanding of historic building materials.
• High calibre and varied specialist lecturers.
• Site visits to venues such as Llanymynech, Limeworks and Ironbridge.
• Development of a professional network of peers and experts.

• Embedding practical knowledge and experience.

Enhancing your employability skills

Many past graduates have been commended by their employers by their knowledge of traditional materials, particularly lime. There are three main ways this programme enhances employability skills:

• Delivery by specialists in conservation, this programme give the students a unique opportunity to network within the profession.
• The practical workshops give students the knowledge and understanding of traditional building materials, and an ability to specify correct remedial measures.
• The assessments are all based on industry templates – such as the Conservation Plan or a report on timber defects, or an assessment of sources of funding for a building conservation project.