Historic Conservation
MSc or PGDip
Start dates: September 2025 / September 2026
Full time: Full time: MSc 12 months; PGDip 9 months
Part time: Part time: MSc 24 months; PGDip 21 months
Location: Headington
School(s): School of the Built Environment
Overview
What is the value of the historic environment in the face of social, economic and environmental change? How can we balance its role in cultural memory and identity and as an embodied and learning resource? Join students from a diverse range of backgrounds to explore the evolving debates and delve into the multi-disciplinary field of Historic Conservation.
You'll build up a strong foundation in architectural history, the theory of historic conservation, traditional construction and materials as well as building analysis and recording. From there, you'll explore making reasoned judgements on the design and economics of schemes for repair, restoration, adaptive reuse, and regeneration all with an eye for decarbonisation and resource efficiency.
Benefiting from the contribution of a wide range of practitioners from the heritage sector, the programme combines theoretical debates, hands-on practical workshops, field trips and independent study. The experience will help to expand your network and develop the professional skills to set you on course for employment in the sector.
Why Oxford Brookes University?
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Study in a city steeped in architectural history
Enrol on a course based in one of the UK’s finest historic cities, with close ties to local and national heritage organisations.
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Attend Oxford Brookes and the University of Oxford
Teaching is delivered jointly by Oxford Brookes and the University of Oxford, combining the internationally renowned research and teaching expertise of the two institutions.
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Active conservation site visits
Visit and survey live conservation projects taking place in the UK, gaining an insight into current practices in the field.
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Develop historic building insights
From knapping flint to mixing lime mortar, gain a hands-on understanding of traditional construction and repair techniques through workshops, visits and field trips.
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A stepping stone to a rewarding career
This course puts you at the centre of UK conservation practice. Previous alumni have gone on to work for Historic England, UNESCO, the National Trust and other leading employers.
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Accreditation(s)
Accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). Accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as a Specialist Programme. Full RTPI accreditation is available when combined with the Postgraduate Diploma in Spatial Planning or any partially RTPI accredited UG programme such as: BA Urban Design, Development and Planning, and BSc Property Development and Planning.
Course details
Course structure
Throughout this course you’ll think critically about the role of conservation, why it's important and how we might improve current practices for a sustainable future.
You’ll study the theories, law and history of historic conservation, gaining an understanding of the cultural and political forces that have shaped it, and the debates that animate it today.
You’ll gain hands-on, practical insights into construction and repair techniques, helping you to understand how historic buildings can be sustained. 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 an understanding of conservation economics and the effect of heritage protection on costs and values, assessing viability and finding sources of funding.
For the full MSc award, you’ll undertake a capstone project on a conservation topic of your choice, using independent research and tutorials to develop your own area of expertise within the field.
Study modules
All the modules listed below are compulsory for the MSc, the modules that are * are compulsory for the PGDip. For the MSc you will also complete the Research Methods in Historical Conservation and the Historical Conservation Capstone Project. Please contact us if you require more details.
Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.
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.
Careers
By the time you finish your 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.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
The course is open to applicants who hold a 2.2 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.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
Please also see the University's general entry requirements.
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.
Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.
Pathways courses for international and EU students
We offer a range of courses to help you meet the entry requirements for your postgraduate course and also familiarise you with university life in the UK.
Take a Pre-Master's course to develop your subject knowledge, study skills and academic language level in preparation for your master's course.
If you need to improve your English language, we offer pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements of your chosen master’s course.
English requirements for visas
If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.
Terms and Conditions of Enrolment
When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
International qualifications and equivalences
How to apply
Application process
We advise applying in advance to secure places, and allow sufficient time for applications to be reviewed.
There is no formal application deadline (recruitment closes when teaching capacity is reached).
Applicants should also factor any time needed to meet offer conditions, arrange accommodation, and obtain a UK Student visa (if applicable).
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
Contact Student Finance on:
Tuition fees
Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.
The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support.
How and when to pay
Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.
- For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
- For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page
Additional costs
Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.
Compulsory costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
| Historic Conservation (field trips and practical workshops) | £100 |
Optional costs
| Additional costs | Amount (£) |
|---|---|
It’s your responsibility to cover print / binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online. |
From £30 |
| You may choose to purchase books to support your studies. Many books on our reading lists are available via the Library, or can be purchased secondhand. | £20-60 per book |
Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting (most do not include bills) |
£94-265 per week |
Accommodation fees in university halls (bills included, excluding laundry costs) |
£122-180 per week |
Graduation costs include tickets, gowning and photography. Gowns are not compulsory but typically students do hire robes, starting at £41. |
Typically £0-200 |
Students are responsible for their own travel to and from university for classes. BrookesBus travel is subsidised for full-time undergraduate students that are on a course with a fee of £9,250 or more, or living in an Oxford Brookes hall of residence. There is an administration fee for the production of a BrookesKey. |
From £10 |
Funding your studies
Financial support and scholarships
Featured funding opportunities available for this course.
All financial support and scholarships
Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been
published on the website. For more information, please visit our
changes to programmes page.