Heritage, Museums and Galleries MLitt
Heritage, Museums and Galleries MLitt
Full time: minimum 12 months, part time: minimum 24 months
Profile
Our flexible research programme focuses on our key research themes. These are: cultural politics and policy; identity, community and place; and representation and media. The course is ideal for professionals interested in enhancing their career through research. It will also suit those who want to progress to doctoral study.
Your course during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.
Further information
Our COVID-19 Study page gives more information about your Newcastle University study experience.
Terms and conditions and student complaints
The University has terms and conditions which create a positive environment for learning and academic achievement.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to the guidelines that may be in place at the time.
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK.
Read our detailed explanation.
About this course
The Heritage Museums and Galleries MLitt is a researched-based programme with some taught elements. The taught research methods part of the programme provides structured learning. This is ideal if you're unfamiliar with academic research or have been away from academia for a long time.
The flexible nature of the assignments make this programme particularly suitable for sector professionals. It will suit those interested in advancing their career and knowledge through research. The assignments offer the opportunity for you to explore a variety of smaller topics or carry out in-depth research on a single topic.
The programme is in Media, Culture, Heritage, within the School of Arts and Cultures. We also have links with the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS). This is a leading academic centre for research and teaching in museum, gallery, and heritage studies.
ICCHS has a thriving, high-profile interdisciplinary research community of:
- postgraduate research students
- experienced academic researchers who are key figures in their fields
Our research students pursue a variety of topics related to museum, gallery and heritage studies. Our academic supervisors have significant experience in interdisciplinary research and professional practice. Our key research themes are:
Cultural politics and policy
- factors that determine how cultural policy is constructed: institutionally, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally
- how management strategies affect heritage resources
- the impact of large-scale constitutional change upon cultural policy
- intended and unintended consequences of implementing international
- conventions, charters and instruments
- contribution of research to cultural policy construction
- the intersection of political movements and agendas with heritage
- definitions and attributed values of heritage
Identity, community and place
- construction and representation of identities, places and communities through heritage
- how heritage is used by and for communities
- relationships between local, regional, national and international notions of place and identities, communities and heritages
- principles of community museology and ecomuseology practice in different contexts
- relationships between heritage tourism and identities, communities and places
- identities produced through the consumption of heritage
- relationship between identity construction and wellbeing
Media and representation
- how media works in heritage organisations and how organisations work as media
- factors shaping the production, morphology and consumption of media and media representations in heritage organisations
- representations made possible through institutional technologies specific to heritage organisations and how we analyse them to understand culture, society and knowledge
- study and design of digital heritage applications and digital cultural engagement
We have an emphasis on empirical research and its grounding on professional practice in the UK and abroad. As a result, our research alumni have been successful in securing worldwide careers in:
- academia
- other governmental organisations
- the cultural and creative industry sectors
Delivery
We deliver this programme at our Newcastle city centre campus. It combines two taught modules on research methods with two self-directed research-based modules. Research training classes usually take place once or twice a week in the first semester.
The main focuses of the programme are:
- small pieces of independent research
- a research-based dissertation carried out with the support of an academic supervisor
You are also expected to take part in the research activities in Media, Culture, Heritage and the School of Arts and Cultures.
You will also have access to Canvas, the University's virtual learning environment.
Recent MLitt research topics in ICCHS include:
- World Heritage Sites and tourism
- the Frontiers of the Roman Empire as a World Heritage Site
Our current research student profiles in ICCHS show the wide range of topics we can supervise.
Facilities
As a research student in Media, Culture, Heritage, you will have access to a dedicated study space with networked PCs, printing and photocopying facilities. You can also use the common room and kitchen to meet with fellow researchers and academics.
You will have access to our top quality facilities, plus the extensive cultural resources available on campus and in the city:
- our libraries and eResources
- the Great North Museum: Hancock, located on campus, houses the collections that previously made up the Hancock Museum, the Shefton Museum of Greek Art and Archaeology (an internationally-renowned collection of over 1,000 Greek and Etruscan artefacts), and the Museum of Antiquities
- the Hatton Gallery, located on campus, has been at the heart of cultural life in the North East since the early 20th century
- the Language Resource Centre is a specialist language facility providing free access to self-study materials in 50 languages
- computing facilities with access to relevant databases and over 1,400 fully networked PCs
- the Gertrude Bell Archive
- non-campus facilities that are often used for student projects include Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums and the Victoria Tunnel
In addition to our expertise in heritage studies, the city of Newcastle and the wider region offers a wonderful resource with two World Heritage Sites, many heritage sites and over 80 regional museums and galleries. Much of the region's countryside is designated as National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Training & Skills
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Modules for 2020 entry
Compulsory modules
- HSS8007 An Introduction to the Nature of Explanation and Enquiry
- HSS8002 Information Skills
- MCH9501 MLitt Heritage, Museums and Galleries Research Assignment
- MCH9502 Heritage, Museums and Galleries MLitt Dissertation
As a research student you will receive a tailored package of academic and administrative support to ensure you maximise your research and future career. The academic information is in the programme profile and you will be supported by our doctoral training centres, Faculty Training Programme and Research Student Support Team.
Module changes
Course content changes
The information above is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Fees & Funding
2021-2022 fees
If your studies last longer than one year your fee may be subject to an annual inflationary increase.
The fees displayed here are per year.
MLitt
Home
Full time: £4,407*
Part time: £2,203.50*
*The fees given above are for 2020-21 only. For 2021-22 entry, we will be aligning our standard Home research fees with those set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The standard fee will be confirmed in Spring 2021 by UKRI.
International
Full time: £18,000
EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals
For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.
If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.
All students
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
Entry Requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a subject relevant to the research proposal.
Find out the equivalent qualifications for your country.
Use the drop down above to find your country. If your country isn't listed please email: international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
English Language Requirements
Select an English language test from the list to view our English language entry requirements.
Please email us at international.recruitment@ncl.ac.uk for further information.
If you have lower English Language scores, you may be accepted onto a Pre-sessional English course.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering our Pre-sessional courses online only from June to September 2020.
How to Apply
You apply online, track your application and contact the admissions team via our applicant portal. Our step-by-step guide can help you on your way.
Before you apply we recommend that you contact a member of staff whose research interests are related to your chosen topic. You can then discuss the supervision of your research degree.
You will need to submit a research proposal with your application. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Science Graduate School guidelines for producing a research proposal (PDF: 41.5KB) will help you.
Start dates
The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course, but specific deadlines for funding may apply. You're likely to be invited for an interview.
We suggest international students apply at least two months before the course starts. This is so that you have enough time to make the necessary arrangements.
Deposit
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must:
- pay a deposit of £1,500
- or submit an official letter of sponsorship
The deposit is payable after you receive an offer to study with us. The deposit is non-refundable, but we will deduct it from your tuition fees when you register.