Building skills for my career

My degree at Bath prepared me well for my career. I learned about historic building conservation and how to think about architectural history, function, economy and feasibility.

I developed skills in historic building analysis, structural assessment and material evaluation. I also learned about project management and working with different disciplines. I now use these skills in my work on real projects.

The technical knowledge I gained at Bath gave me the confidence to take on professional challenges. Studying with people from different backgrounds also helped me improve my communication and teamwork skills.

"What I learned at Bath gave me the confidence to take on real project challenges from the start of my career."

Learning from a historic city

Studying in Bath gave me the chance to experience conservation beyond the classroom. The city’s historic architecture helped me connect what I learned with real buildings and conservation challenges.

As part of the course, I visited historic buildings and construction sites. I also visited building material collection sites and took part in research on real projects. These experiences helped me understand how conservation works in practice.

Finding confidence in a new environment

One of the biggest challenges I faced when I first arrived in Bath was language. Historic building conservation covers many areas, including history, culture, art and technology. This meant there was a lot of specialist vocabulary to learn. At first, I found it difficult to express my design ideas clearly in English, especially during discussions and presentations.

My course mates were friendly and supportive. I asked them for help when I was unsure how to express something. I also created a vocabulary notebook for technical terms, prepared and rehearsed my presentations, read English journals and attended lectures. Over time, my professional English improved and I became more confident.

Putting my Bath experience into practice

I now work as an Architectural Designer at Qingdao Architectural Design and Research Institute in China. I create architectural designs and construction drawings for building projects.

I use many of the skills I developed at Bath in my work. This includes preparing historic building analysis reports, overseeing the design process and coordinating work across different disciplines.

I am currently working on a historic district renovation project in Qingdao. The project involves preserving historic buildings and redesigning public spaces.

“I use many of the skills I developed at Bath in my work on real projects.”

Advice for future students

Make the most of your year in Bath. In historic building conservation, what you learn in class is only one part of the experience.

Visit sites, study real cases and read widely. Make full use of the resources the University offers, including libraries, archives, lectures and workshops.

I would also encourage you to engage with your classmates and tutors. Take part in discussions and presentations whenever you can. You can learn so much beyond the classroom through these experiences.