Architectural Conservation MSc

The programme is assessed through:

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

In recent years, the programme has been significantly enhanced: our longstanding in-person teaching has been augmented by additional online lectures and copious electronic literature resources.

Field trips within Scotland, England and (normally) 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 to 15,000 words on an aspect of architectural conservation.

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 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

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

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

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. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• 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 five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

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