PGDip Conservation and Management of Historic Buildings
Buildings are a direct link to the past – to the people who built them, to the people that lived in them, and to economies and societies that produced them.
Course overview
Even the simplest structure encapsulates a huge body of evidence about the past. To protect and steward a building’s heritage requires an understanding of its nature, structure, historic context and significance, the ways in which the building can be legally protected and the conservation tools which are available for its repair and upkeep. It also requires an understanding of how a given structure can be managed sustainably. This includes everything from schemes of interpretation and display, providing considered management advice and guidance, to finding adaptive re-uses to give buildings a viable and climate-friendly future.
This blending of conservation and management skills lies at the heart of this course and reflects the integrative direction of travel of many historic building professions.
You will learn from tutors who have considerable experience of working with historic buildings in both academia and the heritage sector. You will benefit from opportunities to work with heritage organisations and projects, and also gain practical conservation skills through core short courses provided by our academics or practical training associates.
What is a Postgraduate Diploma?
The PgDip - or Postgraduate Diploma – is a level 7 course that sits between the PgCert and the full MSc. It allows you to study a subject in depth but without undertaking the Dissertation element. Consequently, it takes substantially less time to complete than the MSc, while still covering the same taught elements. To complete this qualification, you will take eight modules (120 credits).
Full-time students can complete the course in as little as two semesters (one year). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who want to study a specific subject but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.
The PgDip can be a great way to boost your career, or enter a new industry. We recognise that life can be unpredictable so the PgDip is built to be as flexible as possible. Should you desire to continue your studies, PgDip credits can be used to contribute towards an MSc qualification later down the line. Conversely, if you need to cut your studies short for any reason, it is also possible to convert the PgDip to a PgCert after the completion of four modules.
*Please note, Visa students must be full-time (a min of 15 hours per week) and will need to attend all sessions in person due to UKVI visa requirements.
Course content
Here at the RAU we are always looking for ways to better support our students. We recognise that a number of our students may be working or have caring responsibilities alongside studying which can sometimes make it difficult to attend every teaching session in person. As such we have the ability for you to join lectures and seminars through an alternative digital format in prior discussion with your programme leader. Please note that for international students on a student visa you are expected to attend your classes in person. Remote delivery is not an UKVI authorised mode of attendance for the taught element of your course and therefore non-attendance would affect your student visa.
Postgraduate Certificate
The PgCert - or Postgraduate Certificate - is the shortest of our Masters level offerings. It allows students to study a specific area of cultural heritage in depth but takes less time to complete than the MSc or PgDip. All students will take the core Understanding Buildings and Landscapes module and can then choose to specialise in either Conservation Planning, Practical Conservation, Regeneration and Place-Shaping or Managing and Sustaining the Historic Environment.
Our PgCert is designed to be ultra-accessible. All classes are offered both in person and synchronously online, with session recordings available for students unable to attend a particular session. The PgCert is a great way of fitting postgraduate study around a busy life. Full-time students can complete the course in as little as one semester (depending on choice of optional module). Part-time students can choose to spread the course over up to two years, giving you lots of time for thinking and writing between modules. It is ideal for students who wants to enter the Historic Buildings sector but would rather not commit to a full MSc with its attendant time and financial costs.
The PgCert can be a great way into a career in this exciting industry but should students desire to continue their studies, PgCert credits can be used to contribute towards a PgDip or even an MSc qualification later down the line.
Please note that overseas applicants who require a student visa cannot be considered for this course as the weekly contact hours do not meet the UKVI threshold for a full-time Student visa.
Course structure
Our PgDip is designed to be ultra-accessible. All classes are offered both in person and synchronously online, with session recordings available for students unable to attend a particular session.
Timetables
Timetables are normally available one month before registration.
Modules
- Understanding Buildings and Landscapes
- Practical; Conservation, Retro-fitting and Sustainability
- Regeneration and Placemaking in the Historical Environment
A description of each module can be found here.
* Optional additions to the course will incur additional charges
Disclaimer information
The University has established various rules and regulations that you must agree to and follow if you accept an offer to study with us. View our full disclaimer notice.
Careers and graduate destinations
- Historic building surveyor
- Local authority / heritage agency conservation officer
- Historic building manager
- Advisor on the interpretation and display of historic buildings
- Project manager for the development, adaptive re-use and regeneration of historic buildings
- Retrofitting advisor
"This is a fabulous course and exceeds my expectations! It’s well designed to blend academic study with practical experience and a focus on preparing students for professional life beyond, whether they come from within the heritage sector or are making a career change. What are you waiting for…!"
Emily Way, Student
Entry requirements
We welcome applications from applicants with non-standard qualifications who are able to demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills developed in the workplace or elsewhere and which are relevant to the programme of study. Applicants will need to use their personal statement to provide further details supported by a CV. All non-standard applications will be considered by the Programme Manager on a case-by-case basis and applicants can expect that an interview may be required as part of the admissions process.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our English language requirements for the level of study. For postgraduate taught programmes this is IELTS Academic min. overall 6.5 with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent). English language tests usually have a validity of 2 years from the date the test is taken.
Offers will typically be made in line with the academic requirements set out above. Offers can be conditional or unconditional. An unconditional offer will be made to applicants who have already met the conditions and provided evidence that conditions have been met. Where academic or language requirements have not yet been fulfilled, applicants will receive a conditional offer stating the requirements that must be met.
Fees
2025-26 Applicants (including January 2026)
For the academic year 2025-26 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | *Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £7,700 per year | £14,700 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
2026-27 Applicants (September 2026)
For the academic year 2026-27 the tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | *Overseas/EU | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £8,000 per year | £14,700 per year |
| Part-time | Fees are calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on the number of modules taken. Please refer to Tuition Fees webpage | N/A |
*Please note: International students can study on a part-time basis only if they are in the UK with a different type of visa (other than Student Visa/Tier 4 General) that allows them to undertake part-time study and their visa does not expire prior to the end date of the proposed course of study. Please check your Visa eligibility before applying.
Please contact admissions@rau.ac.uk before you apply to confirm your eligibility.
Tuition fees may be subject to an inflationary increase each year as set out in our Access and Participation Plan.
For full details, please visit the fees and funding webpage.
Apply now for January or September 2026 entry
To apply for a postgraduate course you need to complete an online application form. This can be found by selecting your preferred course option at the bottom of this box.
Alternatively, if you cannot access the online form please call Admissions on 01285 889912, or email admissions@rau.ac.uk.
We recommend you keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
Important Information for EU and Overseas applicants for PgDip: EU and Overseas applicants who wish to apply for the PgDip programme, and need a UK study visa to do so, should be aware that upon completion of their study they will not be eligible to apply for a Graduate Route visa.
Application deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants must submit their application by 29 June 2026
- UK applicants must submit their applications by 1 September 2026
Results deadline, September entry:
- EU and overseas applicants will need to meet their conditions by 31 July 2026
- UK applicants will need to meet their conditions by 14 September 2026
Application deadline, January entry:
- EU and overseas applicants requiring a study visa should submit their application by 1 December 2025 at the latest, applications received after this may be considered for September entry
- UK applicants should aim to submit their applications at the latest by 5 January 2026
Results deadline, January entry:
- EU and overseas applicants will need to meet their conditions by 8 December 2025
- UK applicants will need to meet their conditions by 7 January 2026
Applicants will be notified via email once a decision has been made and decision letters will be emailed to you. If there is a deadline by which applicants must accept an offer of admission or pay a deposit, this will be stated in the offer letter.
Requests to defer the year of entry will be considered only when an applicant holds an Unconditional offer and needs to be submitted in writing to the admissions team. We cannot guarantee that requests will be granted. Decisions on deferral requests are considered:
- For September entry at the end of August
- For January entry at the end of January (or later)
If the deferral request is granted applicants will receive a new offer letter with tuition fees which are applicable to their year of entry, at the opening of the next admissions cycle.
Please choose a course from the options below to apply.
