Postgraduate

Heritage Studies MA, PGDip

Heritage Studies MA, PGDip

MA - full time: 12 months, part-time: 24 months
PGDip - full time: 9 months, part time: 18 months

Apply now

Profile

Our Heritage Studies courses will give you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skill in heritage management, heritage education and interpretation. Coupled with a work placement within a relevant heritage organisation, this course will prepare you for, or progress, a successful career in the heritage sector.

[MEDIA]
Video: Professor Peter Stone on why Newcastle is the place to study heritage

The course covers key aspects of heritage tourism and visitor engagement, drawing on experiences from expert staff and visiting speakers and visits to local heritage sites. It encourages a hands-on approach and involves major input by heritage professionals from the region and beyond. Alongside freelance heritage consultants, these professionals work in organisations including:

  • Historic England
  • the National Trust
  • the National Park Authority

When you graduate from this course you will be equipped to pursue a career in the heritage sector, conduct further research or choose to continue your studies with the work-based Heritage Practice MPrac.

Staff

You will have input from professional and academic experts with substantial experience of working in the heritage and tourism sectors in various countries. Some of our academic staff include:

Professor Peter Stone, OBE, UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace
Peter teaches and researches in heritage management, interpretation and education. He also holds a number of senior positions, including:

  • Secretary General of the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield
  • Chairman of the UK National Committee of the Blue Shield
  • Member of the UK National Commission for UNESCO's Expert Network
  • UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace

Gerard Corsane, Senior Lecturer and Degree Programme Director

Gerard’s teaching and research interests include:

  • cultural resources management
  • 'ecomuseums'
  • integrated heritage management
  • heritage tourism
  • sustainable development
  • creative and cultural industries


Dr Aron Mazel, Reader in Heritage Studies

 Aron has a wide range of research interests, including:
  • the management and interpretation of tangible and intangible heritage
  • museum history
  • the construction of the hunter-gatherer past
  • dating of rock art
  • Northumberland rock art

View all our staff profiles.

Our courses are based in Media, Culture, Heritage. They are also affiliated with the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS), a leading academic centre for research and teaching in museum, gallery, and heritage studies.

ICCHS has a thriving, high-profile interdisciplinary research community made up of postgraduate research students and experienced academic researchers who are key figures in their fields.

Delivery

The course covers all aspects of heritage work and we use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to help you achieve your learning objectives. This includes a large proportion of guided independent study. Scheduled contact time is at our Newcastle city centre campus and includes:

  • lectures
  • seminars and practical sessions
  • workshops

The academic year usually starts in late September with Welcome Week. We provide a unique blend of theoretical knowledge, understanding and practical experience. This means you will have a mixture of taught modules and work-based placements.

You will take five compulsory modules, with a further choice of two possible pathways. 

Part time study consists of the same modules and options as the full time course, but spread over a longer period.

Placements

Work placements or work related-projects are usually off campus. You will have the opportunity to complete a placement in a suitable gallery, museum, or heritage site. This could be either 12 days long or 6 weeks long, depending on which pathway you chose in Semester 2.

[MEDIA]
Video: An introduction to Museum, Gallery and Heritage Studies
Student Profile

Through this course you can continue studying your passion while also learning skills that are useful in a career.

Peter's student profile
Peter

Related Degrees

  • Art Museum and Gallery Studies MA, PGDip

    The Art Museum and Gallery Studies MA, PGDip provides you with the opportunity to develop skills as a curator or gallery educator in the fields of both historical and contemporary art.

  • Heritage, Museums and Galleries MLitt

    Our flexible research programme focuses on our key research themes. These are: cultural politics and policy; identity, community and place; and representation and media.

All related programmes

Modules

A flexible mixture of taught modules and a possible work-based placement will provide you with a unique blend of theoretical knowledge, understanding and practical experience.

Postgraduate Diploma students must complete six 20-credit modules (120 credits in total). MA students study the same modules plus one of our 60-credit dissertation modules (180 credits in total).

Modules for 2017 entry

Compulsory modules 

Optional modules

You will take one of the modules:

Followed by one of the modules given below:

*If you chose MCH8516 you cannot register for MCH8600

Module changes

Module changes

Modules change annually to take account of:

  • changing staff expertise
  • developments in the discipline
  • the requirements of external bodies and partners
  • student feedback.

Most module information for 2018 entry will be available from mid-May 2018.

Fees & Funding

2018-2019 fees

The fees displayed here are per year.

Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.

EU students starting at Newcastle in 2018 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.

Funding opportunities

Entry Requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or an international equivalent, in any subject.

We will also consider your application if you have:

  • non-standard qualifications 
  • relevant professional experience in the museum, gallery and heritage sectors

If you have borderline or non-standard qualifications we may ask for more information. You may need to attend an interview either in person, via telephone or Skype.

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.

Pre-sessional English Language courses are accepted as an alternative entry to this course.

Pathway courses

Our Business and Humanities Graduate Diplomas will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. Depending on your level of English, you can choose from:

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.

Apply now
Step-by-Step Guide

Start dates

The course starts in September. There is no application closing date for this course.

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 live outside the UK/EU 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 at Newcastle University. The deposit is non-refundable, but is deducted from your tuition fees when you register.

Contact

Dr Joanne Sayner
Degree Programme Director
Media, Culture, Heritage
School of Arts and Cultures
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5336
Email: pgmch@ncl.ac.uk

Connect with us

Downloads