Retrofitting, Regeneration and Sustainability in Historic Buildings (Taught)

This programme is designed to equip learners to pursue careers in historic built environment conservation, regeneration and retrofitting. It focuses on developing essential skills, methods and approaches to the repair and retrofit of historic buildings as well as inculcating the initiative, adaptability, decision-making and self-direction required for wider regeneration work. There is an emphasis on personal and professional development throughout the programme.

Course overview
The course has two main strands:

The first focuses on the practicalities surrounding the conservation and retrofitting of historic buildings. This includes the ethical considerations around identifying conservation-appropriate methods, materials, designs and finishes. It also explores the options – and challenges – associated with sensitively improving the performance and sustainability of historic and traditional buildings, including the identification of inappropriate previous interventions. This includes understanding and correctly interpreting building pathology and using this data to inform decision around materials and interventions as well as monitoring and evaluating the results.

The second focuses on the potential of historic buildings to contribute to wider regeneration of an area. Here we concentrate on putting buildings to work in the community, moving away from thinking of buildings as their footprint of the building and towards a viable future use. We examine the economics of regeneration, including the role of partnerships with heritage organisations, local groups and business to draw on and generate local momentum and investment.

If you are interested in studying cultural heritage research but cannot commit to the full MSc programme then studying for a Certificate (PgCert) may be the route for you. It is designed to give learners a broad and thorough grounding in the sector to pursue a variety of careers.