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Heritage and Conservation

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  • Level of study:
    Professional
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information
  • Start date:
    27 January 2027
  • Duration:
    27 January - 12 May 2027. Wednesday afternoons (term-time only)
  • Attendance:
    Part-time
  • Course delivery:
    On-campus (City Campus)
A scenic alleyway

About this course

This course will develop your critical understanding of the concepts and practicalities of heritage management, together with developing an understanding of what is required when proposing intervention works to historic buildings.

Focusing on the UK (but also drawing on international examples) you’ll learn how to appraise culturally significant buildings, consider relevant aspects of architectural history, identify construction forms and appraise building condition.

It will also develop your understanding of the science of conservation materials and its relationship to building failure and appropriate repair strategies.

There will be an underlying reference to the economic aspects of heritage management, together with a comprehensive understanding of the relevant legal, statutory and procedural controls.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:

  • identify and evaluate different architectural periods and styles within their social, economic and physical context
  • undertake condition surveys and metric surveys using a variety of traditional and digital surveying equipment
  • produce accurate spatial records that meet industry standards
  • provide reasoned professional advice on the design, specification and construction of a range of traditional and vernacular construction techniques (rammed earth, timber/iron frame, brick, flint etc.) commonly found in the UK
  • provide specialist advice to clients on solutions to the problems and conflicts that occur during the re-use and adaptation of historic buildings with respect to human comfort and material performance
  • critically evaluate solutions to a range of live and simulated case studies
  • propose new initiatives and strategies where appropriate to achieve acceptable outcomes in line with UK planning policy frameworks and statutory controls
  • provide appropriate technical and philosophical advice on the sympathetic maintenance and repair of building fabrics.

A CPD certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the course.

Successful completion can also contribute 15 credits towards a postgraduate award.

  • Accelerate your career

    Gain new skills and knowledge that are relevant to the industry today.

  • Part-time learning

    Attend one session per week and fit your studies around your busy work schedule.

  • Expert tutors

    Learn from those who have bring industry experience, teaching skills and research to their subject.

  • Study for credit or certificate

    Gain a certificate that confirms your CPD hours, or build credit towards a qualification in the future.

This course will include:

  • the emergence of the conservation agenda and heritage philosophy
  • an overview of architectural history
  • traditional and vernacular construction techniques
  • metric surveys of historic buildings, equipment and techniques
  • building surveys and assessment of condition
  • science of conservation materials
  • sensitive repair and design techniques for use with properties of character
  • maintenance of the historic fabric and facilities management approaches
  • application of statutory obligations for both individually protected and area wide policies, international protocols/charters
  • challenges and solutions to problems concerning the re use and development of historic buildings and spaces
  • further training and CPD options within the heritage sector.

For CITB-registered employers, Employer Network funding is available subject to CITB pre‑approval agreed with your CITB Local Advisor.

Module information

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be studying throughout the course:

We regularly review our course content based on student and employer feedback to ensure they remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or availability in future years. Optional modules will only run where there is sufficient demand. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis to protect the academic and student experience.

How you're taught

Teaching and learning will take place using a flexible programme of lectures, workshops, seminars and tutorials.

Who will teach you?

Entry requirements

UK students

You should have a minimum of three years’ professional experience and have the support of your employer to integrate study and projects into your day-to-day work.

You will probably be employed on significant infrastructure or building works, with experience of developing and coordinating projects.

If you wish to receive credit, you should also have a 2:2 honours degree in a construction-related subject.

Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International students

You should have a minimum of three years’ professional experience and have the support of your employer to integrate study and projects into your day-to-day work.

You will probably be employed on significant infrastructure or building works, with experience of developing and coordinating projects.

If you wish to receive credit, you should also have a 2:2 honours degree in a construction-related subject.

Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications and/or relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

The fee for this course is £1,200.

Payment is due before the course starts.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.

The fee for this course is £1,200.

Payment is due before the course starts.

Careers and employability

  • Employability Promise

    Personalised support, one-on-one coaching and industry-specific advice – it’s all part of our Employability Promise. And it doesn’t end when you leave NTU – you’ll have access to all our careers services for three years after you graduate (conditions apply).

  • NTU Enterprise

    If you’re a budding entrepreneur, NTU Student Enterprise can help you to develop your ideas and innovations and turn them into a reality. We also offer training, mentoring, workshops, financial advice and more to develop your business skills.

Campus and facilities

City Campus facilities

Many of your lectures and seminars will take place in the Newton building on our City Campus.

Industry standard software

You will have the opportunity to use and familiarise yourself with our industry-standard software, including:

  • digital mapping
  • development appraisal
  • property and environmental risk information
  • industry-standard information systems and databases.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across our City Campus, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services, with a free printing allowance for each student.

Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.

Books and library resources

Our state-of-the-art Boots library will give you access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within the built environment. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.

Within the library there is a liaison librarian who has specialist subject knowledge and can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources, and also with areas such as Harvard referencing and research skills.

Applying

UK students

Please read the guidance notes and complete the application form.

You should then email your form to be considered by the academic team.

Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

If you have any questions about how to apply, contact the short course team:

Apply now

International students

Please read the guidance notes and complete the application form.

You should then email your form to be considered by the academic team.

Please read our notes on the University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

If you have any questions about how to apply, contact the short course team:

Application support

If you have any questions, just drop us a line – we’re here to help every step of the way. You can fill in our online form or give us a call on +44 (0)115 848 2999.

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Keeping in touch

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