Architectural Conservation - MSc

Using Edinburgh’s position as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Architectural Conservation - MSc programme focuses on a wide range of themes including conservation theory, criticism and history; urban conservation; conservation technology; World Heritage; 20th-century architectural heritage; and the challenges of reconciling heritage and new architecture.

The programme combines compulsory and optional courses, and is assessed through individual papers, group projects and presentations, design exercises, and report writing. It culminates in a supervised dissertation of around 15,000 words on your chosen aspect of architectural conservation, with specialist supervision.

In addition to formal teaching, we partner with a wide network of heritage organisations to provide diverse volunteering opportunities, from the local (Edinburgh World Heritage and the City of Edinburgh Council) to the national (Historic Environment Scotland) and international (Docomomo).

As well as course-specific site visits, the programme includes an annual field trip to Bavaria in Germany to expand, in particular, on the issues raised in our core course on the History and Theory of Conservation.

As a member of Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies (SCCS), you’ll have access to our annual series of Architectural Conservation Masterclasses, which feature leading national and international figures from a wide spectrum of disciplines. Typically held in the evening, and regularly co-hosted with partner organisations, each Masterclass addresses a subject of major significance within architectural conservation or cultural landscape heritage.

As well as the Masterclasses, we also host and participate in conferences, seminars and exhibitions, including in collaboration with partner organisations, giving you the opportunity to get involved in event organisation or to present your work.