Applied Building Repair and Conservation (P.Grad.Dip.)

Overview

Course Overview

This one-year course is designed to provide a solid knowledge of materials and built fabrics, both modern and traditional, the causes and mechanisms of failure and the traditional as well as the most advanced ways to repair and preserve them. In addition, on completion of the Diploma, students are expected to successfully complete a research project and produce specifications for conservation work. Students are expected to develop an understanding of how to manage a conservation project.

This course has been approved by Engineers Ireland as meeting its requirements for continuing professional development and is recognised by the RIAI (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland) in connection with the RIAI Conservation Accreditation System.

Is This Course For Me?

This course is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in building conservation and heritage management. This course is suitable for graduates from disciplines such as architecture, surveying, engineering, history, archaeology, planning, and related fields who wish to develop a specialised skillset in building conservation and repair.

The course is also suitable for professionals already working in the construction industry or in heritage management and wish to upskill in the area of building conservation and repair. This may include architects, engineers, surveyors, contractors, project managers, and conservation officers. The course provides students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to work in the field of building conservation, with a particular focus on traditional building materials and techniques.

Career Opportunities

Graduates have pursued diverse careers in areas including conservation project management, policy, and consultancy. Overall, the Applied Building Repair and Conservation course can provide graduates with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to work in a range of careers in building conservation and heritage management.

Course Structure

The part-time course comprises approximately 86 hours of core lectures, 18 hours of practical lectures and case studies, 18 hours of laboratory work and nine hours of site visits. These are normally held on Friday 7pm-10pm and Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm each week throughout the two semesters (September to April).

In addition, each student shall complete a research thesis. The diploma is Level 9 on the NFQ. It is weighted at 45 ECTS credits with three 15-ECTS credits each. This is not an online course and attendance is compulsory.

Course Content

Course modules include: Research and Documentation; The Built Heritage, Archaeology, Vernacular Architecture, Legislation; Building Surveying and Recording, BIM for Historic Structures; Building Stone, Ceramics, Metals, Timber, Thatch and Mudwall; Building Limes and Cements, Concrete; Heat and Moisture, Retrofitting for Energy Performance; Construction Technology and Project Management, Repairs, Case Studies; Structural Damage, Repairs to Masonry Fabrics and Building Elements, Structural Case Studies; and the Research Project.

The award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Building Repair and Conservation is based on a combination of the results of two examination papers and a research project. Each paper constitutes one third and the project the remaining third of the overall assessment. Students must pass each paper and the project. There is no system of compensation. The pass mark for the examinations and the project is 40%. A Distinction is awarded to those who obtain an average mark of 70% or more in both the project and two papers combined at the summer examinations.

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