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
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.
COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.
See our terms and conditions for more information
View our Frequently Asked Questions
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 or conduct further research.
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.
Dr Aron Mazel, Reader in Heritage Studies
- 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 apply to do 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 apply for.
Peter's student profileThrough this course you can continue studying your passion while also learning skills that are useful in a career.
Facilities
You will have access to our top quality facilities within Media, Culture, Heritage and across the University:
- 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.
Modules
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.
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 2020 entry
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
2020-2021 fees
The fees displayed here are per year. If your studies last longer than a year your fee maybe subjected to an annual inflationary increase.
Find out more about our tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts.
EU students starting at Newcastle in 2020 will pay the UK (Home) tuition fee for the full duration of their course.
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.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering our Pre-sessional courses online only from June to September 2020.
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.
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