MA in Heritage Studies
Manchester, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 up to 2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
GBP 26,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* UK students: £12,000 per annum | international students: £26,000 per annum
Introduction
Our taught postgraduate course is aimed at both graduates and heritage professionals who want to develop their skills and theory in this area.
Course overview
- Explore emerging critical approaches and shifts in heritage studies practice and theory.
- Develop your skills in and knowledge of heritage policy, management, conservation, learning, engagement and enterprise.
- Undertake a work placement in a heritage site, museum, gallery or related cultural organisation in or around Manchester.
- Have the opportunity to design and take part in live projects with heritage and community organisations in Manchester.
- Benefit from access to key University assets such as the Manchester Museum, John Rylands Library, Whitworth Gallery, and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Each year the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures offer a number of School awards and Subject-specific bursaries (the values of which are usually set at the Home/EU fees level), open to both Home/EU and international students. The deadline for these is early February each year.
For University of Manchester graduates, the Manchester Alumni Bursary offers a £3,000 reduction in tuition fees to University of Manchester alumni who achieved a First within the last three years and are progressing to a postgraduate taught master's course.
The Manchester Master's Bursary is a University-wide scheme that offers 100 bursaries worth £3,000 in funding for students from underrepresented groups.
Postgraduate 1+3 funding is available from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for students to pursue postgraduate study through a master's (one year) leading into a PhD (3 years). It requires a project proposal as part of the application.
Curriculum
Our MA Heritage Studies master's course is aimed at students who want to develop their knowledge and practical skills to pursue or develop careers in heritage policy, management, conservation, learning, engagement and enterprise.
Heritage Studies examines the theory and practice of heritage making, management and use in local, national and international contexts. It includes both the practical aspects of conservation and management and a study of social, political and economic dynamics in cultural, archaeological, built and natural heritage.
You will study comprehensive core units on critical heritage studies and key issues and approaches to heritage policy and management, as well as routes into specialisation and professional practice through a wide range of units covering distinctive topic areas such as:
- digital heritage;
- curating and engagement;
- decolonising museums and heritage;
- heritage and sustainable development;
- intangible cultural heritage and natural heritage;
- creative learning;
- heritage and learning;
- strategic planning and management of heritage projects and enterprises.
You will be able to gain intensive work experience and undertake critical reflective practice within a range of heritage organisations across the region and further afield through our long-standing placement scheme.
This scheme is shared with our sister master's courses in Arts Management, Policy and Practice and Art Gallery and Museum Studies. You can also undertake live project work with students on these sister courses by choosing practice-based course units.
You will benefit from the expertise of the Institute for Cultural Practices and other specialists in archaeology, art history and history at the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures.
You will also have access to the University's cultural heritage assets such as Manchester Museum, the John Rylands Library and Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre.
You can choose from full-time and part-time study options for an MA or PGDip award, as well as standalone course units to support continuing professional development.
Course unit details
Semester 1
All students take the following 30-credit compulsory core units to gain a critical overview of topics and issues relevant to the learning outcomes and aims of this course.
- Introduction to Critical Heritage Studies (30 credits) - This unit provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary survey of key theories and concepts of heritage studies through weekly lectures, seminars and study visits, as well as study and practical skills training in literature review and heritage interpretation.
- Heritage Policy and Management (30 credits) - This unit presents the processes and practices of policymaking and heritage management, introducing you to a range of contexts through group fieldwork, critical enquiry, case studies and visiting lectures.
Semester 2
Optional units will build on the knowledge and understanding you have gained in Semester 1, and enable you to develop expertise in a particular disciplinary area. You can choose 60 credits of options course units.
The work placement option begins during Semester 1 with 15 and 30-credit versions to support student choice from a range of practical and specialist interests.
Options courses include (subject to availability):
- Intangible Cultural Heritage (15 credits)
- Historic Houses (15 credits)
- Natural Heritage (15 credits)
- Heritage and Sustainable Development (15 credits)
- Work Placement (15 or 30 credits)
You can also choose one from the following course units delivered as part of our MA Arts Management, Policy and Practice and MA Art Gallery and Museums Studies courses:
- Business Strategies in the Arts, Culture and Heritage (15 or 30 credits)
- Digital Heritage (15 credits)
- Curating Ethnography (15 credits)
- Creative Learning (15 or 30 credits)
- Professional Practice Project (30 credits)
There is also the potential to take an additional course unit (maximum 15 credits) delivered in partnership with other relevant subject areas, subject to availability and approval. For example:
- Producing and Consuming Heritage (15 credits)
- From Cottonopolis to Metropolis: Manchester Communities and Institutions (15 credits)
- Public History: Historians and the Public Sphere (15 credits)
- Filming History: Making Documentary Films for Research (15 credits)
Summer
MA students only will undertake a 60-credit dissertation of 15,000 words. Those undertaking a practice-based dissertation will submit 8,000-10,000 words plus project documentation.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Progression opportunities include work in heritage policy and management roles for national and international organisations, such as the Heritage Lottery, Historic England, the National Trust, and UNESCO.
Other roles within museums and heritage organisations include fundraising and development, research and consultancy, visitor service management, community learning and engagement, collections management and site management.