Architectural Conservation MSc

The programme is assessed through:

• individual written papers
• group projects
• presentations
• report writing

Since the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020, the programme has been restructured to allow for an element of hybrid learning, combining in-person teaching with online lectures and course reading.

Subject to any remaining social distancing restrictions, field trips within Scotland and England (and hopefully overseas) will give you the chance to explore conservation issues in other settings.

Following the taught courses, you will research and write a dissertation of around 14,000–15,000 words on an aspect of architectural conservation.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

To complete your studies, you must demonstrate your familiarity with the:

• historical and theoretical foundations and challenges of historic preservation
• techniques of recording and research
• technologies of building repair

You will also develop more general practical and intellectual skills, in areas such as:

• project organisation
• historical research
• graphic and oral communication

This programme aims to provide students with the broad base of knowledge and skills necessary to embark on a career in one of the many professional sub-disciplines of historic preservation, ranging from heritage management to conservation architecture.

Crucially, your qualification will be extremely well-regarded thanks to its recognition by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, the UK’s official organisation of architectural preservation professionals.

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023.

Normally a UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent.

We may also consider your application if you have relevant professional experience; please contact us to check before you apply.

Please ensure your personal statement addresses the following points:

1. Architectural conservation: why and how are you interested in it? Please explain your specific interests within this broad field.

2. How do you envisage that the programme will support your future ambitions in career and life?

3. Which aspect of the advertised MSc Architectural Conservation programme description, or which other considerations, made you decide to apply for the programme?

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Additional costs

Additional costs for the programme are limited and are largely confined to short-distance travel within Central Scotland.

Tuition fees

Featured funding

• Edinburgh College of Art scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding