Explore England’s rich architectural history
Year of entry: 2021 (September)
Our online events are a great way to find out about postgraduate study at York.
Find out moreDelve into the history of English architecture, explore a range of building styles, from vernacular dwellings to the Country House, and learn how they were shaped and developed by the societies surrounding them.
Throughout the course you'll broaden your expertise of key historic buildings and the wider environment, from c.1000 to 1950, and focus on significant periods: Medieval and Early Modern, the Neo-Classical Tradition and Victorian, all the way to more modern architecture.
You will learn how to recognise archetypal styles of buildings and how these were shaped by technological, social, economic, geographic and cultural forces. You will also learn different methods of investigation and the relevance of specific buildings today, drawing on examples from across the country.
Although the course is taught online, you will not have the feeling of working by yourself but in direct contact with your tutor who provides complete assistance. You'll cover different aspects and situations you may find in jobs related to built heritage and listed buildings, develop your analytical and critical thinking and create a very interactive and interesting atmosphere.Roberto, MA English Building History
Broaden your academic horizons alongside enthusiastic staff and students.
The flexible modules can be accessed from anywhere, at any time; allowing you to shape your own learning experience.
An opportunity to meet your fellow students and staff, engage in discussion and share your knowledge.
Over the first two years you will take six diverse 20-credit modules that are delivered by the Centre for Lifelong Learning. Your third year comprises an independent study module hosted by the Department of Archaeology. In this module, you will deliver an assessed lecture and write a dissertation on a subject of your choice.
You will learn the differences between regional identities, styles, typologies, materials, and how buildings may be studied, taking into account the evolution of design, planform, and construction phase analyses.
This Masters will train you to assimilate material from a variety of sources and contextualise information in relation to the history of buildings in various forms. You will also learn to identify a range of historic buildings’ developments and analyse their phases, date, materials, style, and function.
In your first year, you will have the opportunity to attend an optional residential weekend, where you will meet fellow students and staff, engage in discussions and share your knowledge of building history.
Find out more about MA English Building History Modules.
Please note, modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
You will complete a dissertation and assessed lecture (60 credits) through the application of research skills in the field of English Building History. This will be facilitated by the Department of Archaeology in your third year.
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
We strive to make reading materials available digitally within licensing agreements. When this is not possible, you may have to obtain some key texts yourself. You'll be issued reading lists in advance of each term.
UK-based students are encouraged to make use of the SCONUL Access scheme which allows the borrowing of reading materials from other libraries belonging to the scheme.
The optional residential weekends at York are free of charge to attend but you should expect to pay for food, accommodation and travel, which will vary in price depending on your location and the standard of accommodation you choose to book.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do; this is very much a taught programme. You will be continuously supported and guided by an expert lecturer who will aid your participation in a lively yet scholarly online community. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You will study online for an average of 15 hours per week. You can decide when you choose to work, as all activities can be completed around your schedule. Our supportive staff will guide you through a well-structured syllabus that encourages discussion and informed argument.
You will learn through a combination of directed reading and guided online tasks that will challenge you to develop your independent learning, critical review, research, performance, analysis and communication skills. You'll engage with a range of learning resources such as lectures, podcasts, readings, videos, interactive quizzes and talks.
We embrace self-reflective learning through the regular keeping and sharing of logs and annual residential weekends where you can meet and learn from established academics and industry professionals.
Your learning will take place within a supportive Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Blackboard which will give you access to study resources, discussion forums, the University of York Online Library and your University email account.
Within the VLE you will have access to a personal journal, for talking to your tutor on a one-to-one basis, and an online social space, for conversing with other students about programme material and interests or to organise social events.
You'll be assessed through essays, case studies, practical analyses, poster presentations and research pieces. Formative assessments that don't count towards your final mark will take place half-way through each module, with summative assessments held at the end.
Assessment then culminates with an Assessed Lecture (10%) and the Independent Study Module or Dissertation (90%) in the third year which enables you to design, execute, and report on an in-depth self-directed piece of research in an area of English Building History, or a related subject.
This masters offers a solid grounding that could be critical to a variety of positions within the archaeology, art and heritage sectors and beyond. It also provides sound knowledge for further doctoral research, and may serve as valuable CPD for numerous professional qualifications related to English Building History to support career promotion.
Our graduates work in a variety of sectors including:
You'll develop a range of transferable skills during the course including:
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | Typically, you'll be a graduate in a related subject area. We favourably consider students with a BA/BSc award in any subject and evidence of recent higher education level of study in this area. |
| Other qualifications and experience | We are committed to ensuring an open access application process. We therefore seek to ensure that those without a first degree, but with evidence of substantial ability and/or achievement in a professional field, and/or those who can demonstrate regular use of the skills and expertise required for academic research and writing, have the opportunity to join. In such instances, you may be asked to submit a 1,500-word critical essay in the field of English Building History for consideration by the admissions panel. In such instances, individuals must also have a minimum of A-Level or equivalent qualifications. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will require access to a personal computer with a broadband internet connection and Microsoft Office software suite, compatible with Word and Excel formats.
The University of York reserves the right to ask for academic work to support your application and any student may be called to interview.
The Centre for Lifelong Learning is committed to ensuring non-traditional learners can access and thrive, but please be aware that this is a Masters-level programme. The nature of Building History as a discipline requires a student to acquire the basics of academic rigour, approaches and methodologies to the subject, an overview of past scholarship, but also the “language” of architecture. As such, this programme requires commitment, focus and determination. Please contact the Programme Leader, Dr Emma Wells, if you have any queries or to find out more about what the programme involves before making an application.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 7.0, minimum 6.5 in each component |
| PTE Academic | 67, minimum 61 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 185, minimum 176 in each component |
| TOEFL | 96, minimum 23 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Distinction in all components |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 110 in all other components |
For more information see our English language requirements.
