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The Edinburgh College of Art Main Building during the autumn with trees in the foreground and Edinburgh Castle in the background Image courtesy of Federica Mentasti

ECA Main Building, with Edinburgh Castle in the background

Postgraduate

Architectural Conservation - MSc

MSc

Features

1 year
Full-time

Outline

Whether you are approaching the field from an architectural, historical, social or other viewpoint, this programme will guide you through the foundations and challenges of this important means of nurturing cultural identity.

Although based within a school of architecture, the programme is taught from first principles, and is suitable for students from any disciplinary background. You will not require any prior learning experience in architecture, design or built-environment studies, and no portfolios are required as part of the application process.

Our highly regarded Architectural Conservation MSc programme is more than 50 years old. It is the longest-established graduate historic preservation programme in Scotland or its neighbouring nations. The degree provides an in-depth introduction to the key components of built heritage, in a programme suitable for students from all backgrounds.

You will form part of the Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies (SCCS), the University’s specialist historic preservation teaching and research unit, and join a community of postgraduate students from all over the world and from a wide range of disciplinary first-degree backgrounds, including architecture, history, planning, engineering and interior design.

The SCCS provides the depth of expertise and resources that ensures the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Britain’s official organisation for heritage professionals, recognises this programme.

To find out more about this course, visit our Degree Finder: Architectural Conservation.

Hear from our staff and students

Careers

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. 

Why you should choose this programme

1

You will gain a Masters qualification in historic preservation in a single year, as opposed to two years in many other countries – a degree officially recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Britain’s official organisation of architectural heritage professionals.

2

Ours is a first-principles course, suitable for people from many backgrounds, whether from an architectural, historical, social or other viewpoint, and it will guide you through all the ways that heritage can nurture cultural identity.

3

The programme is based in the heart of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site - and draws on from the wealth of academic and intellectual activities associated with a capital city and an internationally-renowned university, as well as offering diverse volunteering opportunities through our partnerships with the many national and civic heritage organisations, based in Edinburgh.

4

You will be part of the Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies (SCCS), a specialist teaching and research unit, enjoying full access to the extensive multi-disciplinary academic infrastructure and facilities of the University of Edinburgh.

Opportunities

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. 

Find out more about the Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies.

How to apply and entry requirements

If you'd like to study on a postgraduate programme at Edinburgh College of Art, you must apply through EUCLID, our online application system. You can find out how to do this on the University of Edinburgh website, where you'll also be able to:

  • See detailed entrance requirements for each programme on the Degree Finder
  • Get information on what to expect after you apply
  • Find out about study modes, start dates and fees
  • Find out if, and how, you need to submit a portfolio, showreel or research proposal
  • Find out where to go for further advice and guidance.
Apply now

Get in touch

Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Admissions

futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
+44 (0)131 650 4086

Field trips

There are numerous 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 – 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 

Scholarships and bursaries

Andrew Grant Bequest
Andrew Grant Postgraduate Scholarships
Value £13,000 for one year
Deadline 17 April 2025
ECA
Edinburgh College of Art EU Scholarship Scheme (PGT)
Value £17,500
Deadline N/A
See all Scholarships and bursaries

Facilities and resources

Students looking at journals in a library

Libraries

Student working at a desk in a model workshop

Model workshops

View all our Facilities

Meet our staff

Miles Glendinning profile picture

Prof Miles Glendinning

Personal Chair of Architectural Conservation

Director, Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies

m.glendinning@ed.ac.uk
+44 (0)131 651 5789

Research interests

  • Global mass housing
  • modern architecture
  • C20 built environment of Hong Kong
  • Scottish housing and urban development
  • History of architectural preservation
Ruxandra-Iulia Stoica profile picture

Dr Ruxandra-Iulia Stoica

Lecturer in Architectural Conservation

Programme Director, PhD/MPhil Architecture; Depute Director, Scottish Centre for Conservation Studies

r.stoica@ed.ac.uk
+44 (0)131 651 5746
Dimitris Theodossopoulos profile picture

Dr Dimitris Theodossopoulos

Lecturer, Architectural Technology and Conservation

ECA Senior Tutor

d.theodossopoulos@ed.ac.uk
+44 (0)131 650 2300
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