Course Aims

In recent years the conservation of towns and cities has moved from a minority concern to a matter of global importance. How cities can be preserved and sustained into the future given the challenges of climate change, population expansion and mass tourism is a question that has moved centre stage.

The MA/ MSc Urban Conservation brings together the complementary expertise of the Centre for Urban History, School of Museum Studies, Department of Geology and Department of Chemistry. The degree aims to provide you with specialist knowledge in the field of urban conservation and the skills for professional practice within it. It combines the historical study of cities with an understanding of architecture, conservation practice, material culture and material science, providing a grounding in an area of growing significance for planning, tourism and urban policy.

The course contains inputs from professional practitioners and employers, which build on the expertise of your lecturers, who include staff from Leicester specialisms such as urban history and museum studies. You can choose to undertake the MSc Urban Conservation, which provides a more science- based oute, or the MA version which is more arts- based.

Teaching and Assessment

The course involves a mixture of classroom and field-based work alongside independent study. Some modules will be taught through a series of day schools and field-trips, enabling students in full-time employment to benefit from the course.

Assessment will include essays, oral presentations and an individually-supervised research dissertation. Practice-based assessments will also be conducted on activities such as project management, ensuring you to feel confident about your practical knowhow as well as your critical skills.

Course Structure

You will study four taught modules, plus you will undertake a 20,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choice under the direction of a supervisor. If you are taking the MSc route, you will need to complete a dissertation in either Chemistry or Geology. The dissertation also includes an element of research training to equip you with necessary skills.

Part-time Students

The requirements for the course are spread over two years, with each student taking one option module each semester. As with full-time students, you will complete a 20,000 word dissertation.

Information about MA/MSc Urban Conservation modules

For further information about the degree contact the course co-ordinator Professor Simon Gunn