MSt in Building History

The MSt in Building History, devised in collaboration with English Heritage (now Historic England), is unique in its combination of British architectural history with practical tuition in interpreting building fabric. It provides an overview of architectural evolution and an awareness of the principal approaches to the exploration of architectural evidence. It also sets out to train students in the rigorous and effective use of primary sources, preparing them for careers in historic building research, recording, assessment and curation, or in suitable cases for progression to doctoral-level research.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the programme, students will have acquired the type of research training required to carry on to the PhD, or if conceived as a standalone degree, will have acquired the skills to specialise and enhance their professional prospects.

Continuing

To continue to read for the PhD degree following the course, MSt in Building History students must achieve an overall total score of at least 70 per cent. Continuation is also subject to Faculty approval of the proposed research proposal, and the availability of an appropriate supervisor.

Placements

All students undertake a six-month full-time (or equivalent) professional placement in the historic environment sector during Year 2.

Find out more

Visit the Department of Architecture website for more information about the course.

If you have any questions about the application process, contact our Admissions team: mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 746262.

For all other enquiries, contact the Course Administrator, Alexandra Lumley: ael45@cam.ac.uk or +44 (0)1223 332964.

Teaching

The course is heavily taught in the first year by invited speakers from a mixture of academic and professional backgrounds. Lectures are matched to field trips. The emphasis is on learning to evaluate architectural and documentary evidence and to formulate informed and accurate assessments. The second year is divided between a professional placement and a personal research project which constitutes the dissertation.

• One to one supervision: Three hours per year
• Seminars and classes: First year: approximately 60 hours (guided site visits)
• Lectures: First year: approximately 100 hours
• Practical sessions: First year: approximately 40 hours
• Posters and presentations: Students are expected to undertake 'Crit' sessions on the recording project and dissertation proposals

Feedback

Feedback is given in supervisions, supervisors' reports and throughout the course on request.

Assessment

Thesis

Dissertation: 20,000–25,000 words (including footnotes but excluding bibliography and appendices).

Essays, projects and written papers

Two essays: 3,500 words maximum each. One recording project: 3,000–5,000 words, plus drawings and photographs. One research proposal: 2,000–3,000 words.

Practical assessment

Logbook and portfolio from professional placement.

Other assessment

Field test of one hour’s duration. A non-assessed (formative) essay is required during the first term of Year 1.

The fees for 2018 entry will be £7,500 per annum for Home/EU students and £10,500 per annum for overseas students. This includes both the tuition and college membership fees.

Students will be expected to cover the application fee (£60 online) and any costs of travel (except travel costs arising from visits organised as part of the course), accommodation and subsistence during residential sessions in Cambridge.

The Building History Bursary fund

Candidates who anticipate difficulty in funding their studies are invited to apply for a bursary. Applications are assessed competitively and it is expected that the bursaries offered will not normally exceed £2,000 per year, with a minimum value of £500 per year.

To be eligible to apply for a bursary you must already have submitted an application to study on the course, and be a citizen of the EU.

About the Building History Bursary fund - on the Department of Architecture website

Other sources of funding

Sources of government funding and financial support including Professional and Career Development Loans - on the GOV.UK website

Applications will be accepted online from 3 September 2018.

Read the MSt Application Guide to find out more about the application process and what you need to do and consider as a potential applicant. See below for details of the supporting documents you will need to provide when applying for this course.

Supporting documents

Below are details of the Course Specific Questions and other supporting information you will be asked to provide before you can submit your application. These are marked with an asterisk (*). References and transcripts can be provided either at the time of submitting your application or shortly after.

If you have any questions, please contact ICE Admissions: mst.admissions@ice.cam.ac.uk and we will be happy to help

You will need to provide the details of two referees who can provide academic or professional references. You will be asked to provide email addresses for your referees so that they can submit their reference via the online referencing system, so it is important for you to ensure that your referee is able to provide a reference for you before you submit your application form.

If your referees are unable to use the online referencing system, or do not have email addresses, please contact the ICE Admissions office for further assistance.

A transcript is a list of all the courses you have taken during a programme of study, with the result you obtained, and with the credit value if applicable.

If you are currently studying, please provide a transcript listing the courses taken during your programme of study, with the results or grades obtained for each. Current Cambridge students should upload a copy of their unofficial transcript from their Student Self-Service.

If you have previously completed degree-level study, please provide a transcript or degree certificate for each degree-level programme you have studied, showing the date the degree was awarded and the final class or grade obtained.

The transcript should be uploaded via your Self-Service, using the 'Academic - pre-decision' category. Please note that we may also ask you to send the originals via post if we make you an offer of admission and supplying these may be a condition of your offer.

If your documents are not in English, you must also upload a full translation of each document, prepared by a registered translator.

You are required to provide a professional CV with your application.

Applicants are encouraged to provide information within the application form about their motivation for applying for the course and to outline relevant experience and interests.