Conservation of Historic Buildings MSc

Our flagship postgraduate course equips students with the technical knowledge and critical thinking needed to conserve and manage historic buildings in the 21st century. The course bridges engineering, history, and design — combining studio work, fieldwork, and a substantial research dissertation. It is:

• multidisciplinary, integrating structural engineering, materials science, architectural history, and heritage policy
• practice-led, incorporating live conservation projects and field visits to historic sites across the UK
• research-informed, taught by active researchers at the forefront of heritage conservation
• designed to facilitate career pathways; graduates work in conservation practices, public bodies, academia, and international heritage organisations

Learn more about Conservation of Historic Buildings MSc.

PhD in Architecture

We have a thriving community of PhD students at Bath and are always keen to welcome new students. There are two routes available to apply for a PhD with us:

If you have a project idea

If you have your own project idea, you can develop it with us and then (if needed) seek funding. Start by writing a short proposal. Then look for one supervisor with the most relevant research expertise and send them an email with your proposal and some brief details about your background. If they are interested in your project they will work with you to develop your proposal so that it is suitable for an application and they will help you to find funding. If unable to help, they may pass your email on to a colleague with a relevant specialism.

If you don't have a clear project idea yet

If you do not have a clear idea for a research project, you could look for a funded studentship position on a defined research project and apply. Any such projects within our Cluster will be advertised on this website and elsewhere, and all opportunities at Bath are advertised here.

Learn more about the PhD in Architecture.

Read about how to apply for doctoral study at Bath.

We are always open to accepting PhD students in areas aligned with our research. In particular we welcome enquiries in the following topics:

• architectural history and theory (any period but especially British architecture and South American architecture, and especially the twentieth century)
• conservation of historic buildings (policy, politics, practice; digital technologies and heritage historic materials and structures; energy and retrofit)
• regenerative design
• architectural practice management

Please see the HCMC team page to choose a suitable supervisor for an initial contact.

The University Research Studentship Award (URSA) covers fees and maintenance and includes an allowance for research and training expenses for up to 3.5 years.

Read more about finding funding for doctoral research.

Projects where the topic is already defined by staff and PhD students are invited to apply for funding are advertised on the FindaPhD website (including all disciplines at the University).

Applications for funding tend to open in the autumn every year (September to October) with closing dates from late autumn into spring, depending on the funding source.

If you are interested in joining us to undertake a PhD, please email the Cluster member with the most appropriate expertise for your selected topic, and, if you and your project are suitable, they will guide you through the process of developing your proposal and applying for funding. The best time to enquire is early autumn (August to October) for entry the following academic year.

We currently have no postdoctoral positions advertised but you are welcome to email us at ajr225@bath.ac.uk with a CV and a brief outline of your research interests if your work aligns with our research themes.