Partnership with Weald & Downland to continue

The University of York has continued its long-established partnership with the Weald & Downland Living Museum to support specialist heritage and conservation skills through the re-validation of the museum's postgraduate taught courses until 2032.

The specialist MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation are unique as they are taught at the Weald & Downland Living Museum and draw on staff specialisms, the museum’s collection of regional buildings and the rich regional heritage through case studies, site visits and student-led activities. 

The Weald & Downland Living museum is designated by the Government for the outstanding importance of its collections and the partnership is a unique collaboration between the Department of Archaeology and the Museum, sharing conservation practice and research expertise and interests. 

Dr Anna Clement, Senior Lecturer at the Museum and Course Leader of the MSc in Building Conservation, says: “Following many months of work, the Museum can now accept applications for the next cohort who will start their studies in autumn 2025. The two MSc programmes are taught at the Museum, located in the heart of the South Downs National Park, with students engaging with other 50 historic building exhibits and newer buildings including the unique Downland Gridshell which was shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize in 2003 and houses the Museum’s building conservation centre and artefact collection. 

"The teaching takes place over six long weekend blocks over two academic years – this is a very convenient mode of delivery for those already working in the sector and for those looking for a career change.”

Dr Louise Cooke, Director of the Centre for Conservation Studies at the University of York, says: “We have a national shortage of the conservation skills needed for decision making for historic building, and the museum’s strong focus on heritage conservation construction and crafts and its unique part-time delivery through five-day modules over study weekends is important in sustaining heritage and conservation skills training in the UK. 

“We are delighted to continue this partnership especially in 2024 which coincides with the UK government’s Ratification of the UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage which gives new recognition to heritage craft skills.”

Alongside the MSc in Building Conservation the MSc in Timber Building Conservation is unique as the only programme in the world where specialist timber building conservation skills can be studied. 

Led by Joe Thompson, who has been conserving historic-timber-framed buildings since 1985, his conservation approach is based on the fundamental principle of understanding the building as fully as possible. 

The part-time programmes are open for recruitment from 2025 and the University of York will validate the next three cohorts until 2031. The University of York has supported their validation since 2012.