Professional Qualifications

Professionals, such as architects and building surveyors, study a degree and a professional qualification that has been accredited by a professional institution.

Professional training should continue when you begin work. This can include attending workshops and lectures, work experience, writing essays and, depending on previous qualifications, possibly a final examination.

For some professions there are specialist registers for competent practitioners of building conservation.

Foundation degrees

Before you embark on a degree course, you can opt to take a foundation degree. This is a vocational qualification combining college training and work experience. These are advisable if you want to enter a technical, engineering or supervisory role, rather than a craft trade. You do not always need specific academic requirements to get on to a foundation degree course, although previous experience and course-compatibility will be taken into account.

Most foundation degrees last two years with full-time study, or three years part-time. Studying part-time would give you the opportunity to spend more time in the workplace as well as at college.

Foundation degrees are not available in Scotland.

Degrees

Degrees are usually studied at university and last between 3 and 5 years, depending on the programme being studied and whether undertaken full or part-time..

A degree has more specific study areas than vocational qualifications and will require relevant entry requirements. Studying on a Construction and the Built Environment course, accredited by a professional institution,  is highly regarded in the construction industry. However, do check with the university to see if its course content includes the built heritage.

Once you have qualified, membership of a professional organisation at the appropriate level – together with conservation accreditation – is evidence of your competencies and an important badge of recognition for clients. Each professional body encourages its members to participate in continuous professional development (CPD) so you can keep adding to your knowledge and skills throughout your career.