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Description of the title
The Master’s Degree in Architectural Heritage Conservation is an Official Degree of the School of Architecture of the Universitat Politècnica de València, which has been offered since 2006 and provides specialized training in the field of Architectural Heritage Conservation.
The architectural heritage constitutes the set of structures that form the context in which society has been configured throughout its history, and its conservation is therefore an obligation of today’s society.
One of the main challenges of contemporary architecture is to respond to the transformation of our historic cities, while respecting the values of the inherited heritage, without compromising their authenticity and integrity.
The main objective of this Master is to provide the ability to face this challenge with solvency, through intervention and management actions on the architectural heritage.
Objectives of the degree
The Master’s Degree in Architectural Heritage Conservation seeks to cover a triple objective:
Firstly, the aim is to provide students with specific, in-depth academic training in the disciplinary field of architectural heritage conservation. The application technology and the materials used are constantly evolving, so it is necessary to provide a solid training in criteria so that future postgraduate students can reflect on the nature of the problem they are facing so that, following an appropriate methodology, they will be able to devise the most appropriate solution from the technical, economic and social points of view.
Secondly, the aim is to offer students professional specialisation in the field of intervention techniques and architectural heritage management, through the application of knowledge, criteria, recognition methodologies and intervention and management techniques to specific heritage case studies.
Finally, all this training and specialisation work is based on the necessary initiation of the student’s research in the scientific field of intervention in architectural heritage. To this end, the Master’s Final Project becomes an efficient bridge towards research according to their specific interest and choice.
Career opportunities
MuCPA trains specialists to provide advanced solutions to complex problems of Architectural Heritage Conservation, with ethical and environmental responsibility:
- As a freelancer or within a company, as part of a multidisciplinary team, to carry out the analysis and design of conservation proposals. In project tenders, having a Master’s degree is a guarantee of quality and gives points, which can facilitate obtaining the commission.
- To work for construction companies that want to bid for tenders for heritage conservation work. Having heritage experts can help in obtaining commissions.
- As a public administration worker, in delegations dealing with heritage issues.
- In the field of training or research, in universities, institutes or foundations dealing with architectural heritage conservation.
Aimed primarily at
The master’s degree is preferably aimed at students with the following undergraduate degrees:
- Degree in Architecture / Fundamentals of Architecture
- Degree in Technical Architecture/Building Engineering Management
- Other undergraduate degrees related to the field of construction and/or restoration, after their curriculum has been assessed by the Academic Committee of the master’s degree.
- Master’s Degree in Architecture
- Master’s Degree in Building
Structure of the master’s degree
Credits: 90 ECTS
Mandatory:54 ects |Electives:27 ects |External internships:0 ects |Final Master’s thesis (TFM):9 ects
Module 1. Fundamentals :21 ects mandatory
Subject:Theory, history and criticism
Minimum credits: 9 | Character: Compulsory
Subject:Techniques and methods of analysis
Minimum credits: 12 | Character: Compulsory
Module 2. Specialization :30 ects mandatory
Subject:Intervention techniques in architectural heritage
Minimum credits: 15 | Character: Compulsory
Subject:Architectural heritage conservation and intervention project
Minimum credits: 9 | Character: Compulsory
Subject:Architectural heritage management
Minimum credits: 6 | Character: Compulsory
Module 3. Electives :27 compulsory ects
Subject:Introductory elective
Minimum credits: 9 | Character: Elective
Subject:Specific electives
Minimum credits: 18 | Character: Elective
Note: In this subject a maximum of 13.5 ECTS can be carried out in external curricular internships (The syllabus contemplates a maximum of 13.5 ECTS for external curricular internships).
Module 4. Master’s thesis :12 ects mixed
Subject:TFM Laboratory
Minimum credits: 3 | Character: Compulsory
Subject:Master’s thesis
Minimum credits: 9 | Character: Final Degree Project
Internships
The School of Architecture has a specific office for internships where students are advised on how to carry out their internships.
Recognition of credits for external academic internships in companies:
External academic internships in companies, according to UPV regulations, can be recognized for up to a maximum of 13.5 credits in the subject “Specific Electives”.
Research and access to Ph.
The Doctoral School of the UPV has a doctoral program in Architecture, Building, Heritage and City.
- Center for Research in Architecture, Heritage and Management for Sustainable Development (PEGASO)
- Department of Architectural Composition
- Architectural Construction Department
- Department of Architectural Graphic Expression
- Applied Physics Department
- Department of Mechanics of Continuous Media and Theory of Structures
- Architectural Projects Department
- Urban Planning Department
- University Institute of Heritage Restoration
Academic exchange / agreements with other universities
The UPV School of Architecture has numerous exchange agreements with institutions around the world.
We are currently working on establishing specific agreements focused on the exchange of degrees with contents on architectural heritage conservation.
The period established for mobility is the third semester. In order to be eligible for any mobility, applications must be made at the official call, around October.
On the other hand, the Center for Development Cooperation has interesting mobility scholarships to carry out the TFM in countries with cooperation needs.
In order to promote the internationalization of the degree, subjects are taught in English, intensive joint workshops are held with partner universities and groups of students and visiting professors are received in different formats.
Facilities and laboratories
The School of Architecture has a recently renovated building and is located around the central Agora of the UPV.
The building has the following spaces:
- Classrooms adapted to teaching needs and laboratories in the various departments.
- Three function rooms, with seating capacity for 60, 100 and 350 people, where lectures are given every week.
- An Architectural Information Center with 325 study stations for consultation of bibliographic resources and group work.
- Free access to computer rooms with a free printing service for large-format plans.
- A model workshop with work areas, wood cutting machinery, hot wire cutting, textile manufacturing, painting booth, photography set and two laser cutters.
- Exhibition Hall
- International Relations Office
- Internship Office
- Classroom for the production of audiovisual material.
Master’s Thesis
The Master’s Final Project is the work that is presented to obtain the degree, once all the subjects have been passed.
It consists of the completion of an original work or project, in which the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired by the student throughout his or her studies are demonstrated.
The TFM may have two orientations:
- Research work
- Professional Specialization Work
The scope, content and level of demand of the TFM will allow it to be carried out in the time of dedication corresponding to the 9 ECTS assigned in the study plan, which is equivalent to 247.5 hours of work in total, including tutored and autonomous work.
This work will be supported by the TFM Laboratory, which aims at learning the methodologies, tools and techniques necessary for the elaboration of the Master’s Thesis.
Collaborating companies and more
Generalitat Valenciana
General Directorate of Culture and Heritage
Collaboration in carrying out activities and promoting the training of its technicians in the CPA Master’s program.
Valencia City Council
Artistic and Historical Heritage Service
Collaboration in carrying out activities and promoting the training of its technicians in the CPA Master’s program.
Studies and Methods for Restoration (EMR)
EMR Chair
Collaboration in the realization of activities, scholarships and awards for students of the CPA Master’s program.
