StudyQA — Master: Building History — University of Cambridge (Page 65)

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

The Master of Studies (MSt) in Building History is an academically rigorous yet practical course aiming to equip students for careers in historic building investigation, research, recording, assessment, management and interpretation. The MSt in Building History draws on expertise in both the academic and the professional sphere.

The course, devised in collaboration with English Heritage (now Historic England), is unique in combining 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.

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.

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.

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

Contact time

Lectures: c.100 hours (first year)
Seminars and classes: c.60 hours (guided site visits; first year)
Practicals: c.40 hours (first year)
Supervision: 3 hours per year

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

Log-book/portfolio and report (3,000 words maximum) from professional placement.

Other

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

Some assignments and the dissertation require literature reviews. Students are expected to undertake 'Crit' sessions on the recording project and dissertation proposals. Feedback is given in supervisions, supervisors' reports and throughout the course on request.

Applicants for this course will normally have achieved a UK 2.i honours degree or overseas equivalent.

There is provision to accept non-standard applicants who do not satisfy the standard academic criterion but such applicants must produce evidence of relevant and equivalent experience and their suitability for the course.

Language requirement

IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.5 (a minimum of 7.0 in each individual component)
TOEFL Internet: Overall score of 110 (a minimum of 25 in each individual component)
CAE: Grade A or B (with at least 193 in each individual element) plus a Language Centre assessment
CPE: Grade A, B, or C (with at least 200 in each individual element)

Supporting documents

References. You will need to provide the details of two referees who can provide academic or professional references. You will be asked to provide e-mail 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 e-mail addresses, please contact the ICE Admissions office for further assistance.
Transcripts
Research Proposal
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Statement