MA in Conservation Studies (Historic Buildings)

Course director: Navin Piplani

Overview

This course, offered by Centre for Conservation Studies, was established in 1972 as the first of its kind in the UK. It was inherited from the former Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies when it was incorporated by Department of Archaeology in 1997, and sits well here with its specialist interests in the Archaeology of Buildings and Cultural Heritage Management, with which it shares modules.

The core of the MA in Conservation Studies (Historic Buildings) syllabus is the consideration of the history, ethics and philosophy of conservation, coupled with an introduction to practical issues which are addressed in a series of short 'skills' modules. These include on-site skills modules, where the conservation problems of an individual building are addressed, as well as a series of professional skills modules relating to buildings survey techniques, heritage issues, project management and characterisation.

The long history of the programme means that we have a network of strong and fruitful relationships at local, national and international levels.  Amongst its distinctive features, the Masters programme is:

  • Progressive, addresses both current and future issues and challenges whilst being deeply rooted in its own historical past and evolving present;
  • Multi-disciplinary - architects, surveyors, architectural historians, art-historians, archaeologists, planners and conservators and practising craftsmen in various fields are among those attracted to the course; and - above all -
  • International. Up to half our student intake comes from outside the British Isles.

Staff

The programme is led by Navin Piplani, a conservation architect and alumnus of the masters programme. Navin is one of the two Hamlyn Feilden Fellows contributing to the teaching of the course. He also runs his own architectural practice based in Delhi, and has worked on several prestigious conservation projects in India, including his on-going involvement with work at the Taj Mahal.

  • Jane Grenville: former Director of the course and commissioner for English Heritage, her interests cover buildings of all types and periods with a particular emphasis on the medieval period. She is concerned with archaeological input into the conservation process and the study of buildings at both the micro level (the stratigraphic investigation of individual buildings and the sites upon which they stand/stood, and the analysis of the use of space within them) and at the macro level (settlement studies and spatial analyses within types of building)
  • Kate Giles: Director of Studies of the MA in the Archaeology of Buildings, with particular interests in the recording and analysis of historic buildings
  • John Schofield: Director of Studies of the MA in Cultural Heritage Management with particular interests in the ethics and politics of heritage conservation
  • Sophie Norton: the second Hamlyn Feilden fellow, Sophie is Regional Coordinator for the National Heritage Training Academy (Yorkshire and the Humber)

Facilities

There is a wide range of facilities for students undertaking an Conservation Masters programme. These include:

  • 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
  • one 10 credit optional placement module

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

Core modules

Recommended optional modules

Recommended skills modules

Please note that 2011 will be an exiciting year for Conservation Studies, as we appoint a new course director, develop new content for our core modules and new skils modules and explore new partnerships with Conservation Studies organisations. Please watch this web page for further details of these modules in early 2012, and let us know if you would like us to contact you with further details.

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.  Please see the Full modules list for scheduling information on option and skills modules, as some run concurrently.

Work experience placement

Entry

You will need:

  • A good honours degree (upper second or first) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution in Architecture, Archaeology, History of Art or Architectural History, or in a related field
  • Mature students or those with less conventional qualifications but with relevant work experience will be considered
  • We interview most applicants unless you live or work overseas

Apply now

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

Careers

When you complete the course, you will have:
  • enhanced your skills and knowledge to the point where your chances of employment as professional conservators have been improved
  • developed both intellectually and personally as a result of having dealt directly with professional conservators and completed a sustained independent research project
  • developed the ability to work both within a group through seminar and placement experiences, and independently through research for a dissertation
 
Croatia study tour

York taught me to really look hard to understand buildings and the people who built them, and the course provides access to the best specialists in the field. 

Donald Hughes

Recent international conference, 3-5 June 2010

Conservation Philosophies: Global or Local?

Agra Fort arch, India
Agra Fort, India © M & G Therin-Weise