Conservation of the Historic Environment - MA / PgCert / PgDip
- Level: Postgraduate Taught
- Starting: September 2021
- Study mode: MA - Part Time
PgCert - Part Time
PgDip - Part Time - Location: City Centre
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
This Conservation of the Historic Environment course will help you obtain key knowledge in the conservation of buildings and the historic environment with practical skills-based workshops and lectures.
Our alumni find employment as conservation officers, and can apply via their professional body to become accredited conservation architects, engineers and surveyors, as well as skilled conservation contractors.
The programme is recognised as having the biggest cohort in the country (Conservation Course Directors Forum 2016). Accredited by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), if you need to understand a building or landscape in order to apply appropriate conservation techniques managing change in the historic environment, this course is for you.
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.
Why Choose Us?
- 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.
Open Days
Attending one of our Virtual Open Days is a great way to find out more about the courses we offer and get answers to any questions you might have. Our next postgraduate Virtual Open Day is taking place on Wednesday 28 April.
Book now
This course is not open to International students

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Concerns is an annual publication by Birmingham School of Architecture and Design. In this issue, you can view final year student work and read more about the activities within the School.
New £11,222 postgraduate loans
You may be able to take advantage of the government’s plans to make loans of up to £11,222 available for postgraduate study.
Course Accreditations
This course is accredited by:

Entry Requirements
Essential Requirements
Essential |
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Candidates require a good honours degree (2.1) plus some built environment experience or practical construction experience in heritage and conservation. |
Entry at Diploma Level may be considered with those with a skills background eg Bricklayer – City and Guilds, or NVQs. |
Candidates who wish to transfer with existing credits from other institutions must contact the Academic Director in the first instance to see whether these are transferable and acceptable against part of the Conservation of the Historic Environment degree. |
Other notes
If you do not fulfil the entry requirements for a Masters programme, you may register for a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma initially. |
Based on your tutor's recommendation and if you meet the required assessment standards (marks averaging 50 per cent in all modules and with no marks lower than 40 per cent), you may then be permitted to transfer up to the Masters programme on the recommendation of the Programme Director. |
Please be aware there will be an upgrade fee equivalent to 60 credits. |
- UK students
- International students
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 2 years
- £4,400 per year
Award: PgCert
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 1 year
- £3,000 per year
Award: PgDip
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 2 years
- £3,000 per year
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Additional costs
Our courses include activities such as performance, exhibitions, field trips and production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific equipment, instruments, books, materials, hire of venues and accommodation, or other items.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
On receipt of your application form, your application will be considered and you may be called for interview. After interview, if you are considered suitable for the course you will receive an offer of a place.
What’s included in your course fees?
- Use of facilities at the City Centre Campus.
- Entry to National Trust properties on site visits.
- Materials and safety equipment for the practical workshops.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible postgraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Did you know that you can apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,222 for some courses and options?
Workshops
Core modules cover basic concepts and key skills in conservation.
You’ll study two core modules that offer background knowledge in historic environments and conservation practice, looking at legislation, conservation concepts and management plans, as well as finance and sustainability. There will also be practical, skills-based workshops.
Your skills-based workshops will include:
PgCert
In order to complete the PgCert you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
PgDip
In order to complete the PgDip you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
MA
In order to complete the MA you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
The programme encourages a diverse learning environment, encapsulating site visits to live projects, case studies at stunning locations including National Trust, hands on practical workshops as well as class room based presentations and group work. Assessment is based on case studies and relevant industry templates.
You will be exposed to a broad spectrum of knowledge from experts in the field, with over 100 specialist lecturers and practitioners delivering the programme. You will be based both at the University’s multi-million pound City Centre Campus with access to industry standard facilities, as well as in a variety of locations in the West Midlands.
Students are often mid-career professionals or contractors wanting to upskill their knowledge of historic construction and environment. Our part-time, flexible study means you can develop your skills while you work.
This course is accredited by the following organisation:

Institute for Historic Building Conservation
This course is accredited by the Institute for Historic Building Conservation (IHBC), the mark of the conservation professional.
The Institute exists to establish, develop and maintain the highest standards of conservation practice, to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment, and to promote heritage-led regeneration and access to the historic environment for all.
Further Study
Students may wish to further their studies and research with a PhD through Birmingham School of Architecture and Design. Graduates from this course usually progress to enhanced positions within the historic environment.
Trips and visits
You’ll have the chance to visit a wealth of historic buildings and will take field trips to enhance your skills and give your studies context.
Site visits are a part of the modules taught on the programme, as well as visits to National Trust properties, practical workshop modules are held at varying locations in Shropshire, such as the Ironbridge Gorge Museums and Worcestershire as well as at City Centre Campus.
Students find the workshops most useful for their careers in understanding the performance, mechanisms of decay and palette of remedial measures for traditional building materials.
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.
These skills will enhance graduate employability and are intrinsic to professional membership of the IHBC.
Graduate jobs
This professional course is focused on upskilling students. Our graduates develop the skills to enable them to gain employment or promotion within industry. Graduates from this programme have gained employment as conservation officers, consultants, conservation architects or specialist conservation contractors at a number of important providers in the conservation sector including:
OpportUNIty

OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Links to industry
Students have a unique opportunity for creating a professional network through the number of external specialist lecturers that deliver the programme. They will meet over 100 specialist contractors and consultants during the two years and make very useful contacts.
Alumni Spotlight: Jo Horton
Jo joined BCU as a mature student with an undergraduate degree in Interior Architecture. She completed the course part-time alongside looking after her family, and has gone on to a fulfilling career in conservation.
Alumni Spotlight: Imogen Campbell
Since studying on our MA Conservation of the Historic Environment course, Imogen has gone on to work in church heritage, facilitating repair and restoration projects.




We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
Much of your time will be spent on historic sites but you’ll have a base in the multi-million pound Parkside building – part of our City Centre Campus – with technology and facilities that reflect advanced professional practice. We offer industry standard facilities.
You’ll also benefit from:
- Extensive library
- Design studios
- Computer and project laboratories
- Social learning space
- Café
- Meeting point
- Gallery
Some of the practical workshops take place at a number of different locations in the West Midlands, such as Llanymynech Limeworks where tools, materials and equipment for lime work are provided.
The Conservation of the Historic Environment programme draws on a large number of industry specialists to deliver information on best practice. In addition, staff from Birmingham School of Architecture and Design and from the School of Engineering and the Built Environment deliver lectures.
Katriona Byrne
Course Director MA Conservation of the Historic Environment
Katriona's BA in History of Art led her to work on the Pevsner Architectural Guide for Dublin and on the National Inventory of Ireland. The Historic Heart of Dublin European project led to a postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Inventorying and Recording. Katriona then worked for about 10 years as a local authority Conservation Officer in Ireland gaining a Masters in Conservation during this time.
She managed grants budgets, large and small, for conservation projects and engaged with planning of the historic environment, both in terms of policy and development control. This was interspersed with private practice as a Heritage Consultant where she supervised conservation works to traditional farm buildings amongst others, undertook research projects, wrote books and training material, delivered industry and community training, and lectured on some of her favourite topics, including vitrolite, historic ironwork, lime, graveyards and energy efficiency.
Katriona then spent five years with English Heritage/ Historic England in the West Midlands region as an Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas. She took over the direction of the conservation courses in Birmingham City University in August 2018. In her spare time she volunteer with the Twentieth Century Society, leading tours around Birmingham and towns in Worcestershire.

Hannah Vowles
Deputy Head of School and Associate Professor
Studied architecture at Kingston and the Architectural Association. Worked in architectural practice for 10 years, public and private sector. Founded art practice / project Art in Ruins with Glyn Banks – exhibitions, published critical writing, curating, teaching. Founding Chair of association of architectural educators.