Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage (Third Level)

Study programme: Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage graduate study programme (third level)
Main fields of study: Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage
Name of the qualification: Diploma
Qualification title: Master/Doctor of science
Qualification abbreviation: MSc/PhD
Final examination: no

Programme director: doc. dr. Saša Dobričič
ECTS coordinator: prof.dr. Iztok Arčon

Programme description

• Course description in english language (pdf, 214 KB)
• Course description in italian language (pdf, 178 KB)

International postgraduate programme "Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage", is the result of a joint effort with Universita IUAV di Venezia, Italy. The programme is distinctly multidisciplinary and is subdivided into two specialisation courses:

• The specialisation in Techniques, Materialsand Building site operation aims at training highly qualified experts in the field of conservation and restoration, with a special focus on theoretical and practical skills, such as: knowledge of structural characteristics and building materials, survey analysis, decision making for priority interventions and building site administration, adopting analytical techniques and tools in the field of restoration and conservation. Related practical activities involve concrete examples within the mentioned areas.
• The specialisation in Management and Economics trains highly skilled experts to identify advantageous investments as well as manage available resources and to design quality policies for the safeguarding and valorisation of architectural and environmental heritage within urban centres and territorial regions. The experts will be able to: establish a critical comparison of international guidelines and laws for the conservation of cultural heritage, apply methods of economic evaluation to public cultural heritage, identify integrated strategies for the promotion, management and development of cultural heritage markets.

The doctoral course lasts 3 years (180 ECTS) and the title of *doctor of sciences * is granted by University of Nova Gorica. The second level master course, which is a part od doctoral study programme, lasts one year (60 ECTS) and the title "Second level Master" is granted by University of Nova Gorica and *UNIVERSITY IUAV OF VENICE.*

The lecturers are top international experts in their respective fields. The programme includes collaboration with international organisations, thus promoting interchange between the academic world and implementing bodies. The official language is English while the teaching languages are English and Italian.

Corse structure

The first year of the programme includes three educational periods:

• The 1st period (12 credits) is obligatory for the two specializations (see below) and focuses on theoretic-methodological issues and the knowledge of architectural and environmental heritage (preparing the scientific education of the second and third period).
• The 2nd period (28 credits) is divided into two specializations:
  • "Techniques and Materials in Conservation of the Architectural Heritage"
  • "Managerial Science and Economics of the Cultural Heritage"
• The 3rd period (20 credits) includes thesis elaboration, tutoring and stage (if required).

The accomplishment of the Masters (MsC- *MPhil*), which requires attendance at least 70% of courses, and final evaluation, will assign 60 university credits (CFU-*ECTS*); the Doctoral Programme will assign 180 credits (*ECTS*-CFU).

Admission requirements

To qualify for entry into the graduate program Economics and Techniques for the Conservation of the Architectural and Environmental Heritage, applicants must satisfy the following admission requirements:

• have completed a 2nd cycle master’s study preogramme;
• have completed at least a four-year academic undergraduate programme accredited with 240 ECTS credits;
• have completed a specialization after previously finished professional study programme, and had passed additional study obligations within 30 to 60 ECTS credit points;
• have completed an equivalent program abroad;

If the number of applicants exceeds the 30 available slots, they are selected based on previous academic achievement.

Educational and professional goals

The aim of the programme is to offer a critical, technical and scientific education, integrating university achievements. It offers a wide knowledge of operational sciences and techniques for the legislation surrounding and management of the conservation of the architectural and environmental heritage.

The First Specialisation aims to train highly qualified experts in the field of conservation and restoration, with a special focus on theoretical and practical skills, such as:

• Knowledge of structural characteristics and building materials.
• Survey analysis, decision making for priority interventions and building site administration.
• Adopting analytical techniques and tools in the field of restoration and conservation
• Interpreting conservation and restoration interventions according to proper reuse.

The Second Specialisation aims at educating highly qualified experts able to:

• Define investment priorities and rationally manage resources for the conservation and valorisation of historic towns and landscapes, in changing socio-political climates;
• Establish a critical comparison of international guidelines for the conservation of cultural heritage;
• Apply methods of evaluation to public cultural heritage
• Identify integrated strategies for the promotion, management and development of cultural heritage markets.

Both specializations aim at a knowledge of historical urban and territorial backgrounds.

Access to further studies

Students that successfully accomplish the secon level master programme may continue on the doctoral study programme in the seccond year. In this case the doctoral study programme lasts two years, for a total duration of three years. The official language is English. Lectures are in English and Italian.

Examination and assessment regulations

Programme progression requirements

In order to proceed to the second year of doctoral study, candidates must obtain at least 70% of ECTS from the first year. To enrol into the third year doctoral study programme, candidates must fulfil all first-year requirements as well as obtain 50 credit points from the second year of study. The conditions for completing doctoral study are the successful passing of all exams and all requirements for all chosen courses, and a successful defence of the doctoral thesis, for which a student receives a total of 180 ECTS.

The accomplishment of the second level master programme requires successful passing of all exams of the courses in a total amount of 40 ECTS and 20 ECTS from individual research work comprising a successful defence of the masters thesis, for which a student receives a total of 60 ECTS.

Course structure diagram

1. year

Module course materials and techniques

Module course management and economics

2. year

3. year