Cultural Property Protection MLitt
The course is a flexible research programme offering a bespoke specialist CPP qualification.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2024
Overview
This course will be suitable for you if you are:
- interested in the protection of cultural property during armed conflict or following natural disasters
- a recent graduate considering PhD research in this field
- a member of the armed forces seeking a professional CPP qualification
- a heritage professional seeking a professional CPP qualification
The Cultural Property Protection MLitt is a bespoke 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.
You'll be fully supported by world-class experts in the field. The course is part of Media, Culture and Heritage in the School of Arts and Cultures. We have a thriving, high-profile interdisciplinary research community. It's made up of postgraduate research students and experienced academic researchers who are key figures in their fields.
Find out more about:
Our research areas
Research students in the MCH 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 relating to the MLitt in CPP are:
- the history of cultural property protection in armed conflict, and the Blue Shield organisation
- methods and motivations for heritage destruction in armed conflicts and natural and human-made disasters
- training and management strategies, proactive protection approaches, and their effects on heritage preservation in conflicts and disasters
- a range of international case studies of cultural heritage in conflict, focussing on specific social, ethical, political, and legal contexts, and the various civil and military actors involved (state and non-state), as well as the various tools used
- the roles played by state parties, cultural heritage organisations, civil organisations, and the armed forces in heritage destruction and protection
- national and international responses to heritage protection in armed conflict
- information management in emergency situations
- media representation, strategic communications, language, and visualisations surrounding narratives of heritage destruction and protection, and the critical analysis of such information
- relationships between: the heritage/academic sectors; state parties, including their ministries of culture, foreign affairs, defence, and their armed forces; and the security sector
- international relations: the intersection of political movements and agendas, international affairs, and diplomacy with heritage definitions, attributed values of heritage, management, and protection
- socio-cultural relationships: local, regional, national and international constructions of space, places, and identities, and their impact on the construction of heritage value
- legal frameworks: international and national laws, conventions, and instruments surrounding heritage protection in armed conflicts and disasters, implementation methods, and the intended and unintended consequences of implementing them
- the place of cultural heritage management in post-conflict stabilisation and state-building
- the role of cultural heritage in the promotion of peace
Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
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.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you'll learn
You'll develop research and presentation skills in the taught component. You'll gain a key grounding in the policies and practice surrounding cultural property protection in armed conflict and disasters from different perspectives, including:
- governments
- the armed forces
- international organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's)
- heritage professionals
Modules will enable you to develop:
- advanced knowledge of critiques of cultural heritage destruction and protection as contested arenas
- advanced knowledge of contemporary armed conflict in relation to CPP, examining various conflicts and actors
- advanced knowledge of national and international legal, ethical, and policy frameworks, and military doctrine
- a critical and discriminating understanding of the role of various actors in heritage destruction and protection
- a critical and discriminating understanding of the technologies available for cultural property protection
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.
Module information 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.
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.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
We deliver this programme at our Newcastle city centre campus. If appropriate and agreed, the programme can be delivered through remote supervision with a number of supporting visits to Newcastle. 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.
You'll also have access to Canvas, the University's virtual learning environment.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Dissertation
- Essay
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
Our mission is to help you:
- stay healthy, positive and feeling well
- overcome any challenges you may face during your degree – academic or personal
- get the most out of your postgraduate research experience
- carry out admin and activities essential to progressing through your degree
- understand postgraduate research processes, standards and rules
We can offer you tailored wellbeing support, courses and activities.
You can also access a broad range of workshops covering:
- research and professional skills
- careers support
- wellbeing
- health and safety
- public engagement
- academic development
All our teaching staff are active researchers, working in the UK and internationally. Our staff are all active members of the UK National Committee of the Blue Shield. They have worked on CPP projects as trainers and advisors with a wide range of relevant organisations including:
- The British armed forces
- NATO
- The Civilian/Military Centre of Excellence, Amsterdam
- The German Bundeswehr
- Danube University, Centre for Cultural Property Protection, Krems
- The UN Interim Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon
- The UK Defence Geographic Centre
- UNESCO
- UNOSAT
The Academic Programme Leader, Professor Peter Stone, is an active researcher in CPP, and the UNESCO Chair for Cultural Property Protection and Peace. His research relates to the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict, focussing on methods of destruction, and developing the role of NGOs in protection.
Your development
Professional development
The flexible nature of the assignments makes this programme easy to modify to suit your particular interests. It is particularly suitable for part-time students. You'll have the opportunity to advance your career and knowledge through research. The assignments allow you to explore a variety of smaller topics or carry out in-depth research around a more focused topic.
You will increase your knowledge in your chosen topics. You'll also develop a broad range of research and project management skills. Through taught modules and research projects, you'll develop broader competencies, including:
- conducting critical reviews of literature, legal frameworks, doctrine, and heritage management instruments
- data collection and management using multiple sources
- synthesising, evaluating, and presenting complex material and advanced analytical conclusions to different audiences using appropriate techniques
- applying subject-related knowledge and advanced theoretical models to international case studies
- information technology skills by supporting your assignments and oral presentations appropriately
- the ability to observe professional and academic standards, including appropriate use of relevant ethical codes of practice
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
As a research student in media, culture and heritage, you'll have access to a dedicated study space with:
- networked PCs
- printing
- photocopying facilities
You can also use the common room and kitchen to meet with fellow researchers and academics.
You'll 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. It 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 offer a wonderful resource. We've 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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)
Home fees for research degree students
For 2023-24 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 2023 by UKRI. The Home tuition fees for this course will be updated after this confirmation.
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Find out more about:
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 may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
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Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2024 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy (PDF: 201KB)
Other policies related to admissions
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
How to apply
Using the application portal
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Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- campus tours
- on-campus open days
- virtual open days
- webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
For administrative enquiries:
Karen Robb
School of Arts and Cultures
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 3509
Email: SACS.PGR.Admin@newcastle.ac.uk
For academic queries about the programme:
Professor Peter Stone
UNESCO Chair in Cultural Property Protection and Peace
MCH, School of Arts and Culture
Telephone +44 (0) 191 208 7095
Email: peter.stone@ncl.ac.uk
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