Architectural History and Heritage - MA (Hons)

The first two years of study (‘Pre-Honours’ years) offer a rich and extensive overview of the history of architecture and urbanism from across the globe. You will be part of a vibrant community of up to 300 students, drawn from all areas of interest and expertise across the University. These include architecture, history of art, languages, history and classics, English literature, civil engineering, and many more.

In these years, you will survey the history of architecture and urbanism worldwide, including major buildings and cities of the ancient world, of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, of European society and culture, as well as the major transformations affected by industrialisation and technological innovation coming into the twentieth century.

In Year 2 you will also learn specific approaches to the professional recording, assessment and management of historic buildings and their material fabric.

In addition to core courses, you will choose from a number of elective-based courses from across the University of Edinburgh.

• Year 1 studies
• Year 2 studies

In Years 3 and 4 (‘Honours’ years), you will have the opportunity to develop and refine your interests by choosing to study specialist, Honours-level courses drawn from an extensive list covering the medieval world; Islamic art and architecture; the European Renaissance and its global contexts; the eighteenth- and nineteenth-centuries, including Georgian and Victorian architecture and their reverberations worldwide; and Modern architecture in Europe, Russia, and the British Isles.

Third year students will also study the history of the theoretical development of architecture from ancient times to the present, and take a practical course on the archaeology of buildings.

You will have the opportunity to undertake an internship with a museum, archive or historic environment agency, including National Museums Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, The Cockburn Association, and Edinburgh World Heritage.

In Year 4 you will write a 10,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choosing.

• Year 3 studies
• Year 4 studies

All Honours options are 20 credit, semester long (11 week) courses.