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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
How do we decide which buildings and environments need preserving? How do we better understand their physical fabric and the influences on their design and construction? How will they be conserved in future, and who will pay for this to happen? Study at Oxford Brookes to develop expertise in historic conservation and discover how we can preserve, learn from, and protect sites of historic importance.
You’ll examine the ideas, laws and policies that define current conservation, including how these have changed - and evolve over time. You’ll explore how built heritage can be conserved, adapted and developed in a variety of ways. And you’ll learn fundamental concepts and conservation techniques, taught by leading experts in the field.
You’ll study the history of architecture and the built environment, and progress skills in researching, analysing and recording information from historic sites.
With a broad range of guest speakers, field trips, workshops and site visits, you’ll expand your network and develop the professional skills needed to explore a variety of jobs in this sector.
Course structure
Throughout this course you’ll think critically about the role of historic conservation, asking why we do it, and how we might improve upon current practices.
You’ll study the theory, law and history of conservation. Here you’ll gain an understanding of the cultural and political forces that have shaped the practice, and the debates that animate it today.
You’ll gain hands-on, practical insights into building and repair techniques, helping you to understand how both traditional and modern buildings can be preserved and renewed. You’ll develop skills in analysis and recording, and learn how good design can help secure the future of historic areas. You’ll also gain a thorough understanding of conservation economics: how projects get funded, how they’re costed and appraised, and how third-party funding can be secured.
For the full MSc award, you’ll write a dissertation on a conservation topic of your choice, using independent research and regular tutorial discussion to develop your own area of special expertise within the field.
Learning and teaching
You’ll look into the major elements of architectural history in England from the medieval period to the present. You’ll experience the extraordinary built heritage of Oxford and its environs, and examine the mechanisms by which it is currently managed.
Our teaching and learning methods reflect the variety of topics and techniques associated with historic conservation. These include:
 lectures
 directed reading
 workshops
 seminars
 practical and project work.
Most modules also include site visits and/or fieldwork. These provide you with direct experience of the practical application of conservation principles.
Modules
Compulsory modules
Historic Conservation: Theory, Law and Practice* (20 credits)
What is historic conservation? How, when and where did it originate? Why do we do it, and how might we do it differently? This module examines the structure of ideas, values, principles, institutions, laws and policies upon which our current practice rests. Beginning with a historical overview that relates the emergence of the conservation agenda to developments in other fields of culture, it proceeds to analyse the dominant legal and institutional frameworks through which that agenda is pursued, primarily in the UK but also further afield.
Historical Studies I and II (40 credits)
Two linked modules taught in consecutive semesters.
How did our present stock of historic buildings and sites come into existence? What social, political, economic and artistic factors influenced their initial construction and subsequent alteration? These are two linked modules, taught in consecutive semesters. The first module concentrates on the medieval period and provides an introduction to the evolution of the landscape and the major elements of architectural history in England up to the sixteenth century. The second module continues the narrative from the sixteenth century up to the present day.
Building Construction and Repair* (20 credits)
What are historic buildings made of, what keeps them standing, and how can their physical substance be preserved and/or renewed? This module examines the properties, decay and repair of traditional and modern materials, as well as structural principles, environmental factors and the introduction of new fabric and services into historic structures.
Historic Building Analysis and Recording (20 credits)
How can we 'read' the history of a building, and how can we best communicate our understanding by visual and written means? This is a skill-based module that helps you to analyse the special architectural and historical characteristics of a particular site, building, or group of buildings, and to develop techniques for the representation of these characteristics through archival research, measurement, drawing and recording.
Conservation Economics and Finance (10 credits)
Who pays for the conservation of the historic environment, and how do projects secure funding? This module comprises an overview of built heritage finance in the context of cultural economics, followed by a series of themed classes given by expert speakers from outside the University. Topics covered include project costing, development appraisal, third-party funding and the relevant aspects of the property market.
Design for Conservation* (20 credits)
How far, and in what ways, should an understanding of the historic environment inform current design decisions? This module enables you to analyse historic townscapes, to understand basic principles of urban design and to formulate design guidance and codes for sensitive historic areas. You will acquire skills in the critical appraisal of existing or proposed buildings, preparing design briefs for sites in historic areas and presenting design concepts.
Final project
Compulsory modules
Research Methods in Design (10 credits)
A critical overview of research methods and skills relevant to investigative work in conservation and design.
Conservation Dissertation (50 credits)
An individual research project conducted under the supervision of a member of the teaching staff, on a conservation-related topic to be agreed between you and your supervisor.
Research
The School of the Built Environment has an impressive list of funders and clients covering UK and EU government, research funding councils and industry.
 the European Commission
 UK Government/Agencies
 local government
 the commercial sector.
Research areas and clusters
Infrastructure and energy continue to be a key focus as they are the essential components of a rapidly urbanising world.
Research groups:
 Smart Construction and Impact Assessment (SC&IA)
 Land Design and Development (LDD)
 Planning, Policy and Governance (PPG)
We have links with universities worldwide so there are exciting opportunities for collaborative research, exchanges and study overseas.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.1 undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent).
Students come from a variety of backgrounds. Thus, applications are welcome from any academic discipline which can be applied to Historic Conservation - as well as those seeking ongoing professional development.
We will actively consider applications from candidates with lower degrees, who can effectively portray suitable credentials, and usually have an appropriate professional background.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
 the Welsh Baccalaureate
 the Access to Higher Education Diploma
 a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
 the International Baccalaureate Diploma
 the European Baccalaureate Diploma
 Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
 a recognised foundation course
 T-levels*.
 * T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
If your first language is not English you will require a minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall with 6.0 in all components.
OR
An equivalent English language qualification acceptable to the University.
If English is not your first language then you will need to show that your English language skills are at a high enough level to succeed in your studies.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
Assessment is 100% coursework based.
Career Opportunities
By the time you finish our degree in historic conservation, you’ll be well placed to explore a wide range of careers across the sector. You’ll also have developed a number of transferable skills in research, analysis, surveying and design.
Graduates of this course can explore roles such as heritage consultant, historic buildings adviser, conservation officer and project manager with employers including:
 architectural practices,
 heritage consultancies,
 planning and property consultancies,
 national and international heritage bodies,
 central government departments,
 local planning authorities,
 museums and education sites,
 voluntary and campaign groups.
Previous graduates have found work in organisations such as the Landmark Trust, English Heritage, Historic England, UNESCO, the National Trust, the Victorian Society, and SAVE Britain’s Heritage.
On completion of this degree, you may also choose to further your studies at doctorate level and work towards a PhD.
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