Architectural Conservation MSc

The Architectural Conservation MSc programme focuses on a wide range of topics – in all cases taking advantage of Edinburgh’s position as a UNESCO World Heritage city, and the physical location of the SCCS in the heart of the World Heritage Site.

In Semester 1, the courses offered cover:

• conservation history, theory, and criticism
• in-depth historical/archaeological analysis of historic buildings
• World Heritage studies.

In Semester 2, the courses offered cover:

• urban conservation and planning
• conservation technology and building pathology
• the history of historic construction techniques.

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, selected in consultation with teaching staff.

Assessment

The programme is assessed through a carefully-balanced mix of assessment methods, tailored to the diverse teaching approaches:

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

There are no examinations in this programme.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

As members of the Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies (SCCS), students have access to our annual series of Architectural Conservation Masterclasses, which feature leading national and international figures from a wide spectrum of disciplines. 

As well as the Masterclasses, we also often host and participate in conferences, seminars and exhibitions, including in collaboration with partner organisations.

There is also provision for work placements and volunteering through our partnerships with Edinburgh’s many national and civic heritage organisations, allowing you to flex your skills in a practical setting.

To complete your studies, you must demonstrate your familiarity with:

• The historical and theoretical foundations and challenges of historic preservation, both of individual buildings and urban areas

• The techniques of recording and research

• The 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: these range from heritage management to conservation-specialist architectural practice. 

In pursuing a conservation-related career, your qualification will be extremely well-regarded thanks to its recognition by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Britain’s official organisation of architectural heritage professionals.

Field trips

There are many field trips across Scotland and England, as well as walkabouts within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site and elsewhere in Edinburgh and Glasgow. All these, in combination, will give you the chance to explore conservation issues in other settings, and the year normally culminates with a study tour to Germany, focusing on critical issues in 20th-century heritage.

Campus facilities

The teaching base of the programme, Minto House at 20 Chambers Street, is located in the heart of the Edinburgh Old Town, within the Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

In addition to the dedicated conservation teaching rooms, Minto House also contains a range of facilities such as an art and architecture library, a computer lab and workshops (used, for example, in the History of Construction course in Semester 2).

Other academic facilities, cafes and social facilities are located in the adjacent University central area around George Square and Middle Meadow Walk - including the 24-hour-access main University library.

Lauriston campus redevelopment

ECA are excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston campus over the next 3 years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project at the below link:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston campus | Edinburgh College of Art

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

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 which 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 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 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.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Additional costs

Additional costs for the programme are limited and, at present, are largely confined to short-distance travel within Britain.

Tuition fees

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

• borrowing money
  • taking out a loan
  • family support
• personal savings
• income from work
• employer sponsorship
• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

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

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