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Faculty of Architecture
Master of Science in Conservation
MSc(Conservation) | Full-time & Part-time
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Programme Highlights:
Expected Duration
Expected Duration
1 year
Fees
Fees
Self-funded
HK$248,800
Expected Programme Start Date
Expected Programme Start Date
September 2026
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Main Round:
12:00 noon (GMT +8), January 02, 2026
Description
Description
Full Time (one year)
Apply Now
Expected Duration
Expected Duration
2 years
Fees
Fees
Self-funded
HK$248,800
Expected Programme Start Date
Expected Programme Start Date
September 2026
Application Deadline
Application Deadline
Main Round:
12:00 noon (GMT +8), January 02, 2026
Description
Description
Part Time (two years) *Part time will be available if a minimum quota of 8 successful applicants has been reached. Part time is only available to students with residency status in Hong Kong and Macau.
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Overview

Heritage Conservation at HKU 
Celebrating 25 years of Education, Research and Fieldwork

 

Building on the legacy of the Architectural Conservation Programme (ACP), the Master of Science in Conservation [MSc(Conservation)] cultivates a new generation of forward‑thinking practitioners and scholars to lead innovation in heritage conservation by integrating state‑of‑the‑art technologies with rigorous scientific inquiry and robust technical training.

The programme embeds sustainability throughout conservation planning, management and design to address escalating risks from climate change and disasters, and pressures arising from urbanisation, gentrification and tourism. Through dedicated seminars, lectures, studios, fieldwork, hands‑on technical workshops and elective courses, students gain a strong theoretical, technical and practical grounding in current policies, methodologies and best practice, and apply this learning to real‑world projects. Students engage directly with advanced tools—including 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry, GIS and heritage BIM, materials characterisation and diagnostics, and data analytics—to support research‑led, evidence‑based decision‑making.

With internationally recognised strengths in architecture, building construction and planning, and close links to professional practice, the Faculty of Architecture at HKU offers an ideal interdisciplinary setting for educating well‑rounded conservation professionals and future heritage leaders.

The MSc(Conservation) is supported by the Built Heritage Research Collaborative (BHRC), a research laboratory within HKUrban Labs that facilitates knowledge exchange and collaborative projects among heritage researchers across HKU and with academic and professional partners.

Programme highlights

-   Position heritage as a driver of sustainable development, climate resilience and inclusive growth
-   Engage with the latest policies, frameworks and methodologies for conserving both tangible and intangible heritage, and apply them in context.
-  Build theoretical, technical and practical proficiency through research‑led studios, fieldwork, site visits and hands‑on workshops, applying state‑of‑the‑art technologies to real projects across Hong Kong, Greater China and Southeast Asia.
-  Generate innovative, evidence‑based approaches and strategic solutions through individual and team‑based studio projects, underpinned by rigorous scientific inquiry and robust technical training.
-  Develop effective advocacy and communication skills to inform policy and enable constructive dialogue among communities, stakeholders and decision‑makers.
-  Undertake study trips to World Heritage and regionally significant sites to investigate contemporary challenges and test novel conservation strategies through direct engagement with site managers, practitioners and local partners.

Career Prospects

Graduates may take up professional roles across government, NGOs, architectural and planning practices, and heritage consultancies in Hong Kong, Mainland China and internationally. They may also progress to advanced research through MPhil and PhD programmes at HKU or other leading universities worldwide.

Entrance Requirements

A strong command of the English language is essential.

A bachelor’s or master's degree in a built environment-related discipline (architecture, landscape architecture, urban studies, urban planning, urban design, surveying, engineering, archaeology, etc.)

Or

A bachelor’s or master's degree in social sciences, geosciences, humanities or law.

Motivated applicants from other disciplines and with relevant professional experience may also be eligible and should contact the programme admissions advisor before applying.

Applicants may select one of the following streams as their preferred specialisation in the application, but final allocation is subject to applicant numbers, the quality of supporting materials and interview performance:

‧ Conservation Planning and Management
‧ Design for Conservation

Download Documents

For additional information, we recommend reviewing the following documents:

Additional Information
PDFPDF Document
Regulations & Syllabuses
PDFPDF Document
Supporting Documents
PDFPDF Document
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Faculty

Faculty of Architecture
The Faculty of Architecture offers a comprehensive range of Taught Postgraduate Programmes in its three departments and one division, covering breadth and depth in the professional as well as academic research fields of Architecture, Real Estate and Construction, Urban Planning and Design, Landscape Architecture and Architectural Conservation. The majority of programmes offered are being professionally accredited by local and/or overseas professional bodies.

The following postgraduate programmes are currently offered by the Faculty of Architecture:

Master of Architecture,
Master of Architecture (Design),
Master of Digital Urban Management,
Master of Housing Management,
Master of Landscape Architecture,
Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design,
Master of Science in Conservation,
Master of Science in Construction Project Management,
Master of Science in Digital Management of Built Assets,
Master of Science in Real Estate,
Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Design,
Master of Science in Urban Analytics,
Master of Science in Urban Design and Transport,
Master of Science in Urban Planning,
Master of Urban Design,
Master of Urban Studies and Housing Management,
Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture
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Contacts

If you have any inquiries regarding the programme or faculty, please do not hesitate to reach out to us using the contact methods provided below:

Programme Admissions Advisor(s)
Dr Linda Shetabi