Construction Work on Existing Buildings currently accounts for about half of the total construction volume in our society - and the trend is rising. The demand for experts in the fields of building preservation, renovation and restoration is therefore constantly increasing.
The concept for the Master's program in Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings is conceptually a consecutive Master's program for already trained civil engineers, architects and related professionals.
MEng Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings
The Study

Responsible handling of existing building fabric
The degree program in Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings provides you with knowledge of historical building structures and materials and focuses in particular on the technical aspects of building conservation. You will work in the context of building preservation: the recording, recognition, preservation and upgrading of buildings. The master's degree will sensitize you to the responsible treatment of existing building fabric in the area of tension between the objectives of monument preservation and modern requirements of use. The study structure and project work with mixed teams of civil engineers and architects promote the teamwork and communication skills necessary for these tasks. The objects of study are buildings, engineering structures and technical installations – mainly from the period from around 1800 to the present day, but also medieval buildings. The technical area is supplemented by topics from the fields of economics and law as well as history and preservation of historical monuments.
Concept
Educational goals
The concept of the degree program is based on the defined educational objectives, which require interdisciplinarity and practical relevance. It includes the teaching of specialized knowledge of different areas of building in existing structures and methodological as well as generic competences.
Profile
In recent years, the program has continuously changed its profile from "research-oriented" to "application-oriented" by strengthening the practical relevance in most modules. The majority of the master's theses chosen so far can also be described as applied research with a practical orientation.
Studyability
The structure of the degree program and the study structure proved to be reasonable. It was shown that the full-time study program can be studied in three semesters. But the flexibility also allows a reasonable course of study to be extended over a four- or more-semester period of study if part-time study is pursued. Many of the students choose this form because there is a great interest in working while studying, sometimes in their own engineering offices. Many of the students also have to take care of family and children and reconcile this with the demands of everyday study.
Specialists from the practice
The teaching, especially in the elective subjects, is supported not only by the professors but also by highly qualified specialists from practice, who often also help to supervise the students as second examiners for the master's theses.
Expertise
In particular, the broad range of electives to be completed according to subject groups as well as the experimental courses in the department's laboratories provide students with excellent, broad scientific and practical expertise. The specialization deliberately allows for individuality in addition to generalist compulsory subjects. Not only the master's thesis, but also course work can be chosen from the students' own professional environment, thus linking practical requirements with theoretical knowledge and practical procedures.
Practical projects
The mandatory projects have a high value in the study program. They are directly related to practice. Due to the nature of the event, the ability to organize and work in a team, to independently organize work, to apply a wide variety of methods, to work scientifically and to document, to speak and to present is particularly promoted. When discussing the project presentations, a stimulating feedback culture is created. In the P1 project, the relocation from the daily work routine at the university to an unfamiliar environment also strengthens social interaction and the ability to deal with conflict. It became apparent that the students' enjoyment of their work and their motivation are particularly high in the projects.
Key competence
The degree program strengthens and builds up the key competencies of the students, on the one hand through the structure of the study program itself, through the anchoring of additional competencies in individual subjects. Certificates of achievement in the form of presentations, project work with mixed teams of civil engineers and architects as well as men and women particularly promote independent action as well as teamwork and communication and presentation skills. In addition to teaching technical skills, the teaching staff increasingly recognizes its task in strengthening the key competencies of the students and is aware of its role model function in questions of teamwork and, above all, in the willingness to network.
Interdisciplinarity
The Master's program in Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings does not turn architects into civil engineers or vice versa. However, due to its interdisciplinary approach, the program contributes significantly to a better understanding and cooperation between civil engineers and architects. Accordingly, the master's theses can have a different focus on more engineering calculation or on more design and planning for civil engineers or architects.
Is this course of study a good fit for you?
As a graduate, you will be able to structure, plan, coordinate, manage and implement conversion and reuse projects in a management position. In the degree program Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings you will receive training as a generalist with the ability to communicate, with special and methodological knowledge for questions of building maintenance at the state of the art in the field of building maintenance and construction in existing contexts. With the combination of certain elective subjects, you will receive a recognized continuing education qualification as an "energy consultant on site (BAFA)". The ability to work scientifically is just as much a part of the program as the ability to work in an interdisciplinary manner and to lead interdisciplinary teams, as well as the opportunity for personal development.
Degree Program Flyer & FAQ

Laboratories & Workshops of the Civil Engineering Department
Working in the laboratories of the Civil Engineering Department is an integral part of the master's program. Our courses are vividly supplemented with practical laboratory exercises. The laboratories can also be used for final or research projects. The conservation and restoration workshops are also of interest to students of the Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings program.
Kontakt
Die Kolleg*innen der Zentralen Studienberatung informieren Studieninteressierte, Studienanfänger*innen, Eltern, Lehrer*innen und Studierende zu allen allgemeinen Fragen rund um das Studium. Bei konkreten Fragen und Anliegen zum Masterstudiengang Bauerhaltung und Bauen im Bestand kontaktieren Sie gern die Studienfachberatung.
Studienfachberatung

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Silke Straub-Beutin
These degree programs might also interest you
Weitere StudiengängeDegree programme | Teaching language | Start of study | Application deadline | |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ing•Bau: Preservation and Construction Work in Structural Engineering (MSc) | German | Summer semester, Winter semester | 15/12 – 15/02 and 15/05 – 15/07 (restricted admission)
|
|
MEng Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings | German | Summer semester | 15.12. – 15.02. (admission restricted)
|
Career Prospects
Career Prospects
The need for experts in existing buildings is growing more and more and enables graduates of the master's program in Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings to pursue practical or scientific activities. Due to its interdisciplinary approach, the program contributes significantly to a better understanding and cooperation between civil engineers and architects. The interdisciplinary orientation qualifies you for management tasks or coordination work as well as for higher service. Setting up a business or freelancing is also a conceivable option with your knowledge.
Possible areas of application
- Management positions in construction companies
- Management positions in building authorities
- Scientific work in applied research
- Freelance consultant
- Doctorate
These degree programs might also interest you
Weitere StudiengängeDegree programme | Teaching language | Start of study | Application deadline | |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ing•Bau: Preservation and Construction Work in Structural Engineering (MSc) | German | Summer semester, Winter semester | 15/12 – 15/02 and 15/05 – 15/07 (restricted admission)
|
|
MEng Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings | German | Summer semester | 15.12. – 15.02. (admission restricted)
|
Study Contents
Course of studies
The master's degree program in Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings can be studied full- or part-time and concludes with the writing of a master's thesis. Depending on the first degree, the master's degree can be completed full-time in three or four semesters and part-time in four or five semesters. Both study forms allow for a stay abroad.
1st semester |
Mandatory modules: Fundamentals, project module |
2nd semester | Mandatorymodules: Project modules |
3rd semester | Elective module Master's examination |
Do you have questions about the course of studies, the application or the master thesis? Please read our FAQ.
Study Contents
During your studies, you receive individual support – be it in deciding on elective modules or in writing their master's thesis. The teaching, especially in the elective subjects, is supported not only by the professors but also by highly qualified specialists from the field.
Compulsory part/elective (compulsory) area
The Master's program is divided into a broadly based compulsory part, consisting of the modules Fundamentals, Laboratories, Seminars and Projects, and an elective (compulsory) part, which serves individual specialization and is divided into elective subjects and the Master's thesis.
Basics G1 and G2 (mandatory)
In the basic modules G1 and G2, students receive the basic knowledge required for further in-depth studies in the spectrum of building preservation and planning in existing buildings. Essentially, the courses take place in the form of lectures, supplemented by seminar components as well as excursions and smaller exercises.
Laboratory L (compulsory)
In practical exercises in the laboratories of the department, students gain methodological skills in the use of the necessary technical aids. The focus is on observational learning, but also on imparting action competence and individual experience by performing the practical exercises.
Projects P (compulsory)
In the projects, the knowledge acquired is to be applied in the form of independent practical work and tested on the basis of a complex problem. The three projects are each divided into several work steps. In principle, group work is planned, but individual work is also possible.
Elective module A and elective modules B - E
In the compulsory elective and elective subjects, students have the opportunity to deepen their specialist knowledge in freely chosen subject areas on the one hand, and to acquire basic knowledge and insights into related subject areas as well as general competences on the other. The compulsory electives and the electives are usually offered in the form of lectures, integrated courses or seminars.
Master thesis (mandatory)
The written Master's thesis (MA), together with the Master's colloquium (MK), takes up one third of the total study load.
Suggestions for topics from the students' professional context are explicitly welcome. Students are also particularly encouraged to work on a Master's thesis as part of an R&D project in cooperation with external institutions or companies. There is no entitlement to a specific topic. The program coordinator and the professors involved in the subject support the students here in all technical and organizational questions, for example in establishing contacts with possible cooperation partners, in finding suitable topics, and in clarifying practical and legal questions regarding the implementation. It is possible for two students to work on a master's thesis together.
The colloquium is open to the public. The colloquium also includes the creation of a poster and the presentation of the master's thesis on the department's website.
Module Manuals & Regulations
Master theses
More projects
Servants' Lodge of the Melonerie in Sanssouci Park
Draft of a refurbishment strategy in line with heritage requirements

The Tower of the Former "Neuer Tornow" Restaurant of the Meyer Brewery
Building research and construction survey to check the worthiness of monuments as well as the planning of restoration measures and possible utilisation concepts

The Stable of the Four-Sided Farm in Zeuden/Treuenbrietzen – Building Survey, Possible Uses and Renovation Concepts
Development of a utilisation concept and a design and redevelopment plan

Fire Protection in Underground Transport Systems
Structural considerations taking into account settlement-sensitive superstructures
Application & Enrollment
Application & Enrollment
For the degree program MSc Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings enrollment is always possible from 15.12. to 15.02. for the next summer semester.
If you meet the admission requirements, you can submit an enrollment application. Please note the following information specific to your program of study:
Application
The application is made online in the MyCampus university portal of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam within the application deadline.
In addition to the online application, the following documents must be submitted in paper form:
- University degree certificate(s) or current transcript of records with the ECTS credit points earned to date and the grade earned to date, if the degree program has not yet been completed
- if applicable, proof of relevant professional experience
For submission, please use the supplementary sheet "Application documents to be submitted" on the last or penultimate page of your personal checklist, which is available at the end of the online application in the MyCampus university portal. This lists all the supporting documents that you must submit in paper form based on the information you provided in the online application. In addition, the checklist contains information on the rest of the procedure.
The day of the application deadline (receipt of mail at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam) applies for the submission of the documents.
Selection procedure
Applicants who meet the admission requirements take part in the procedure for awarding study places. In the allocation procedure, the following will be deducted in advance from the number of study places to be allocated:
- all applicants who were not able to accept an earlier admission due to service as well as all applicants who are members of the national squad of a national sports federation of the German Olympic Sports Confederation
- 11 % for applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification
- 3 % for applicants who are to be considered on the basis of hardship.
The remaining study places are allocated 90 % according to the result of a university selection procedure and 10 % according to waiting time.
The result of the university selection procedure is determined on the basis of the following criteria (weighting in brackets):
- Grade of the professional university degree (40 %)
- Grade from the area of fundamentals of civil engineering (15 %)
- Grade from the area of material-related design (10 %)
- Grade from the area of planning and design (10 %)
- Grade from the area of specialized knowledge in the field of conservation and restoration in the preservation of historical monuments (5 %)
- Relevant professional experience (20 %)
Approval
Following university selection procedures, the award procedure is carried out. Applicants with a correspondingly high ranking will receive a time-limited offer of admission in the MyCampus university portal, which you must actively accept. After accepting the offer of admission, you will find your notification of admission in the MyCampus university portal. If you do not accept the offer of admission by the deadline, the ranking list will continue to be processed and the study place will be reallocated.
Enrollment
The enrollment application is submitted online in the MyCampus university portal of the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and must then be submitted in paper form together with the supporting documents listed in the application. For the submission of the documents, the day of the enrollment deadline (receipt of mail at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam) applies.
General information on application and enrollment procedures
There are various application procedures at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. General information on application and enrollment procedures as well as information on part-time studies, guest auditors and second degree studies can be found on the general application pages.

International applicants
You would like to apply for studies from the first or a higher semester and have acquired your school leaving certificate and/or university degree abroad? Then you can have degrees and achievements obtained abroad recognized and study with us.
Auf einen Blick
Die wichtigsten Fristen, Termine und Zugangsvoraussetzungen für den Masterstudiengang Bauerhaltung und Bauen im Bestand sind hier zusammengestellt. Welche Schritte Sie für eine erfolgreiche Bewerbung beachten müssen, erfahren Sie im nächsten Abschnitt.
Fristen & Termine
- bis zum 15. Februar: Online-Bewerbung einreichen
Zugangsvoraussetzungen
Erster berufsqualifizierender Hochschulabschluss (240 ECTS-Leistungspunkte, mindestens 180 ECTS-Leistungspunkte) in einer der folgenden Fachrichtungen:
- Bauingenieurwesen
- Architektur
- Konservierung und Restaurierung (in der Baudenkmalpflege)
- in einer sonstigen ingenieurwissenschaftlichen Fachrichtung nach Entscheidung durch die Zulassungskommission
So bewerben Sie sich!
Im Folgenden erläutern wir Ihnen, welche Aspekte Sie von der Online-Bewerbung bis zur Immatrikulation (Einschreibung) beachten sollten.
Weitere Informationen
Unter den folgenden Links finden Sie, und speziell internationale Bewerber*innen, weiterführende Informationen rund um die Themen Bewerbung und Immatrikulation an der Fachhochschule Potsdam.

Internationale Bewerber*innen
Sie möchten sich für ein Studium ab dem ersten oder einem höheren Fachsemester bewerben und haben Ihren Schulabschluss und/oder Hochschulabschluss im Ausland erworben? Dann können Sie sich im Ausland erworbene Abschlüsse und Leistungen anerkennen lassen und bei uns studieren.

Bewerbungs- & Immatrikulationsverfahren
Der Bewerbungs- und Studien-Service informiert und berät Sie bei allgemeinen Fragen zum Bewerbungsverfahren, zur Zulassung und Immatrikulation an der Fachhochschule Potsdam, zur Bewerbung für ein höheres Fachsemester, aber auch zu Themen wie Nachteilsausgleich, Teilzeitstudium, Wartesemester und Härtefallantrag.
Kontakt & Services
Die Zentralen Studienberatung informiert und berät zu allgemeinen Fragen rund um das Studium sowie zu Themen wie Studienwahl, Bewerbung, Immatrikulation und Studienorganisation.
Für studienfachspezifische Fragen zu Modulinhalten, Anrechnung von Studienleistungen, Prüfungen oder Studienschwerpunkten im Studiengang Bauerhaltung und Bauen im Bestand ist die Studienfachberatung die richtige Anlaufstelle.
Studienfachberatung

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Silke Straub-Beutin
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Student Counselling Service
Student Counselling Service for the MA Building Conservation and Construction Work on Existing Buildings

Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Silke Straub-Beutin
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