Overview

The MA in the Archaeology of Buildings is designed to train students in the systematic research, recording, analysis and interpretation of historic buildings within the heritage sector. In recent years, government, industry and the wider public have begun to appreciate the value and significance of historic buildings as some of the most significant assets within the heritage resource. The role of buildings archaeology in enhancing understanding, informing conservation and managing change has also increasingly been recognised. As a result there has been significant demand for professionals not only within the commercial sector, but also in organisations such as English Heritage, the National Trust and local authorities. The discipline of buildings archaeology has also grown in confidence, with new theoretical and methodological developments allowing archaeologists to record, date, model and present research in exciting new ways.

Established over fifteen years ago, the York Archaeology of Buildings course is one of the longest-established buildings archaeology programmes in the UK. It brings together experts in buildings survey, archive research, legislation and policy, conservation, theoretical interpretation and computer modelling. The result is a dynamic and developing course, which is well-respected within the profession and which benefits from a vibrant research community within the Department, and whose alumni now hold key positions across the heritage sector.

The course will:

• introduce you to the specialised skills required for the historical research, visual analysis and archaeological recording of buildings
• give you a foundational knowledge of the history of architecture in the UK, from c.1000-c.1900
• introduce you to current intellectual and professional research priorities in the the archaeology of buildings
• provide you with an introduction to conservation legislation, policy and practice
• enable you to develop excellent research and communication skills relating to the research and interpretation of historic buildings

Staff

• Kate Giles specialises in buildings archaeology and historical archaeology, has published monographs and articles on medieval and post-medieval buildings, and is the York Minster Archaeological Research Fellow
• Navin Piplani is the Director of the Conservation (Buildings) MA and a Hamlyn-Fielden Fellow, an experienced conservation architect involved in the Taj Mahal Conservation Collaborative
• Anthony Masinton is the Department's Computing Officer, specialising in buildings survey, CAD and 3D modelling and with research interests in a wider range of building types, particularly medieval churches
• Aleks McClain specialises in the archaeology of churches and the buildings of late-Saxon and Norman England.  She is particularly interested in medieval buildings within their wider landscape contexts.
• John Schofield specialises in cultural heritage and in historic characterisation. He is particularly interested in contemporary archaeology, particularly military sites.
• Jane Grenville set up the course 15 years ago. She has research interests in medieval buildings and conservation issues and extensive experience with the CBA and as an English Heritage Commissioner. She is still involved with the course in an advisory and supervisory capacity, although she is also a Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of York.

Facilities

The MA Archaeology of Buildings course is taught in the heart of the historic city of York, located in the splendour of King's Manor, originally the lodgings of the mdeieval abbots of St. Mary's Abbey and later the headquarters of the Council of the North. The Department itself is an iconic example of twentieth century architecture, designed by the renowned conservation architect, Sir Bernard Fielden. The historic buildings of the city and the region form one of the most important resources for the course and we make extensive use of them through visual analysis training and field trips in the taught modules, and providing useful subjects for dissertation projects and voluntary experience. The numerous heritage organisations within the city and surrounding area also provide opportunities for networking, placement experience and employment. They include historic buildings units within Field Archaeology Specialists Ltd. and York Archaeological Trust, the metric survey and historic buildings investigation teams within English Heritage, as well as buildings professionals within the Council for British Archaeology, Churches Conservation Trust, National Trust, National Parks and local authorities.

The course is well-supported by resources and facilities within the Department and the city. In recent years the Department has developed increasing expertise in metric survey, including rectified photogaphy, photogrammetry, laser scanning, CAD drawing and computer modelling of historic buildings.  We have also benefitted from the very generous support of the University of York in buying new REDMs, software and laser scanners, which allow us to continue to explore and develop the potential applications of new survey methodologies and applications.

Buildings history has always been a strength of the course, and students can take advantage of training in research resources, provided as part of the course. This is supported by excellent libraries such as the King's Manor, which specialises in architectural history and conservation, the Minster Library, which holds an extensive ecclesiastical and Antiquarian collections, and the JB Morrell, which has excellent archaeological and architectural history collections. In addition, the City Library and Archives and the Borthwick Institute for Archives provide extensive collections of local records, cartographic and pictorial sources, civic and ecclesiastical records and architectural records.

There are also a wide range of facilities for all students taking an Archaeology Masters programme:

• Dedicated IT suite with a full range of software including generic and specialist archaeological packages and computing support from two highly experienced experimental officers
• A comprehensive range of state-of-the-art field survey equipment which postgraduates can normally use for their project work (and can gain experience with via the skills modules we offer)
• A wide range of lab facilities for archaeological analysis including environmental and artefact processing as well as the bioarchaeological facilities on campus
• A well stocked library with access to electronic resources, and study areas both in the Kings Manor library and the library on campus
• The Kings Manor includes a common room and refectory open to all staff and students, and WiFi is available across the Kings Manor

Structure

Structure

Over the autumn and spring terms, you will take:

• two core 20 credit modules
• two option 20 credit modules
• four 5 credit skills modules

In the summer you will carry out research for your dissertation and give an Assessed Lecture on your dissertation topic.

Core modules

• Analysing historic buildings
• Interpreting historic buildings

Recommended option modules

• Context and practice of gathering field archaeology data
• Cultural heritage management 1: concepts, principles and practice
  
• Digital publication and web technologies
• Approaches to conservation
• Issues in historical archaeology 1
• Concepts of landscapes

• Analysis, interpretation and dissemination of field archaeology data
• Analysis and visualisation
• Cultural heritage management 2: audiences, interpretation and museums
  
• Issues in cultural heritage conservation
• Medieval settlement and communities
• Issues in historical archaeology 2

Research skills modules

• Narrating our pasts
• Topographical survey
• Buildings survey
• Characterisation (new for 2012/13)
• Legislation and policy
• Geographical information systems (GIS)
• Virtual reality modelling
• Conservation solutions

Whilst we endeavour to give everyone their first choice on modules, please note that this cannot always be guaranteed. Please be aware that certain skills modules are required by particular programmes, and so may be more over-subscribed than others. If you are aware or think you need to take a certain module for your dissertation, then please be clear about this on your module choices. Please see the Full modules list for scheduling information on option and skills modules, as some run concurrently.

Entry

You will need:

• A good honours degree (upper second or first) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution in Archaeology, History of Art or Architectural History, or in a related field.
• Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with related field or other experience may be considered

The MA is suitable for students and mid-career professionals seeking to develop or enhance an academic or professional specialism in buildings archaeology. Students on the MA benefit from a well-established departmental research community who are in the vanguard of theoretical and methodological developments in buildings archaeology.

We interview most applicants, unless you are living or working overseas.

Apply now

First, check our How to apply page which explains what information the Department needs from you.

Apply online

Careers

Alumni from the course have been employed as buildings archaeologists in a range of commercial units including Field Archaeology Specialists, Oxford Unit, AOC, Pre-Construct, Headland Archaeology, ARCUS, and as freelancers. They have worked in range of heritage organisations including English Heritage, National Trust, Historic Scotland, Historic Royal Palaces, as freelancers (specialising in building recording), and as local authority Conservation Officers and Museum professionals.

When you complete the course, you will be able to:

• record and analyse structures of all types, selecting a level of record appropriate to its end use
• execute hand, metric and photographic survey and the presentation of results in hand drawings, photographs and CAD
• recognise and apply the principles of structural analysis of buildings to elucidate their building history
• draw on a sound knowledge of British architectural history, and where appropriate, that of other countries
• carry out research using a wide range of archival sources on buildings in the UK and integrate these critically and effectively into the interpretation of buildings
• discuss and debate current research agendas in buildings archaeology
• direct your own independent work but also interact with others as a member of a recording or conservation team
• communicate the results of research effectively through oral, written and graphic forms of presentation