The programme is flexible and tailored as far as possible to meet the collective needs of the students. In general there is a progression from the narrower towards the wider aspects of conservation, combined with a chronological survey of historical contexts, and an increasingly analytical assessment of problems and solutions.

Sessions in the first year deal predominantly with basic attitudes to conservation; traditional building materials and their decay; the recognition, diagnosis and repair of building faults; traditional building crafts; historic buildings legislation; and building types from the early medieval period to the seventeenth century.

The second year course is broader in scope. It deals with architectural development up to the present day, including eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century building types. Other aspects examined include the introduction of services, historic interiors, environmental controls, the listing and repair of modern buildings and materials, particularly concrete, new design in the context of historic buildings, disasters, issues of access, and the use of computers in conservation.

The principal assignment for students is to write a thesis of 10–15,000 words on a subject of their choice to be approved by the staff. developed with the assistance of a specialist external tutor for submission to external examiners.

Those directing the programme also benefit from the expertise of its advisors, Richard Halsey, Elain Harwood, John Redmill, Clive Richardson and Robert Thorne. Many former students show their continuing commitment to the course by returning to lecture to current students. There are informal links with international practitioners, and there is usually an annual study tour.