Built Environment - Sustainable Heritage (Heritage Science) UCL

Overview

The Built Environment - Sustainable Heritage (Heritage Science) programme from UCL takes a long view of conservation and heritage management. As a student, you learn about concepts of value, sustainability, life expectancy, stewardship, ownership, vulnerability and risk. 

These concepts are interwoven with the scientific study of historic materials, assemblies, technologies and systems. You define problems, set objectives, and explore a range of sustainability issues and strategies when approaching heritage projects. Together, this knowledge gives you an excellent interdisciplinary foundation to manage heritage projects sustainably in your future career.

Throughout your degree you are introduced to a wide range of practicing heritage experts, with much of the teaching led by practitioners from prestigious heritage organisations.

During your degree you:

• Learn about the heritage sector—how heritage is valued, its role in sustainable societies, the importance of science in its preservation, as well as the risks and possible futures.

• Learn and apply tools and techniques essential for your future career in heritage, commonly used by heritage managers when working on projects.

• Collaborate with Data Science and Heritage Science students to gain an interdisciplinary insight into the professional collaborations required for successful heritage projects.

• Gain hands on experience in historic building conservation, taking part in a live project with a heritage partner to explore heritage materials, degradation, and wider factors influencing heritage conservation.

• Investigate conservation of collections, identifying causes of deterioration and applying practical skills to monitor and predict future damage.

• Examine how heritage contributes to sustainable development and the importance of community and partner engagement in this context.

• Deepen your knowledge and career skills through optional modules on climate change, citizen science, inclusivity, and sustainable strategies for buildings, collections, and development.

Employability

This degree is an internationally recognised qualification from a world-leading university that will equip you with the skills and expertise needed to contribute to heritage projects at an advanced level. The course has been developed in close collaboration with leaders of the heritage sector, ensuring its relevance to employers.  

You gain the transferable skills needed to deliver the heritage projects of the future by approaching historic buildings, museums, collections, sites and landscapes with heritage management and conservation best practice. The degree enables you to find sustainable solutions to challenging problems in heritage management.

You also gain access to an extensive alumni network of professionals who have studied on the route and are now leaders in the field.