Study Museums and Heritage Practice MSc

Course Highlights

Museums and Heritage studies are crucial in understanding how the objects, sites and memories of past events and cultures are discovered, shared and preserved. You will study Museums and Heritage in theory and practice, investigating the qualities of artefacts, sites and cultural traditions, alongside debates that shape our relationship with the past and its future potential. We will explore the formation of cultural heritage, to understand how past social and political forces shape its survival and preservation and analyse how worldwide excavation and collecting still challenge modern museum collections.

The discovery, uses and interpretations of the past still respond to socio-political and economic needs, in local national and world heritage contexts. This course engages with academic specialists and professional practitioners, and examines case studies from Prehistory, Roman and Medieval sites to historic houses and modern museum collections, through the rich, beautiful and sometimes challenging heritage sites and collections of Chester, Shropshire and nearby spectacular urban and rural landscapes in the Northwest, Midlands and Wales.

You will engage imaginatively with objects and sites alongside theories and principles governing heritage management best practices, informed by sector leaders (Museums Association, Collections Trust), becoming familiar with the roles of independents, civic organisations and major heritage agencies, including Historic England, Cadw National Trust and UNESCO. You will develop skills in museums and heritage practice, applying these critically through artefact and archival studies, collections care, audience and site research and interpretation. Developing advanced research techniques to better analyse the survival and care of objects, buildings and archaeological sites, you will develop skills in enhancing public engagement, interpretation and understanding, with opportunities to develop digital and practical skills, contributing to heritage in the future.

Course Modules

Learning Structure

Teaching

• The principal methods of delivery will be a mixture of lectures, seminars and individual tutorials.

Assessment

• You will be assessed through course work, written portfolios and finally a dissertation in your fourth term.
• This will be a 12,000-word dissertation on a historical, archaeological, museums or heritage-related topic of their choosing.

Entry Requirements

• 4-year Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with CGPA 2.75 or 60% of marks (or above) from recognised institution.

  CGPA 2.50 is acceptable of the following universities:

  1. North South University (NSU)
  2. BRAC University
  3. Independent University Bangladesh (IUB)
  4. American International University Bangladesh (AIUB)
  5. Asian University for Women (AUW)
  6. Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP)
• A 2:2 or above honours degree in a relevant discipline.
• Prior experience in the museum and heritage sectors can be taken into account alongside academic qualifications.

English Language Requirements

Documentary Evidence List

• Academic Transcripts
• Degree Certificate
• English Test (IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Duolingo - UKVI accepted)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• 2 Recommendation Letters (LORs)
• Updated CV/ Resume
• Research Proposal (for Research/ PhD)
• Work Experience Certificates (if study gap)
• Passport Copy

Study Gaps

For applicants with an academic or professional gap of up to 5 years, admission is generally considered acceptable. If the gap exceeds this period, applications may still be successful but will typically be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To strengthen your profile, it is important to:

• Provide a clear explanation of how you spent the gap period (e.g., employment, further learning, personal responsibilities).
• Emphasize the skills and experiences you developed during this time that are relevant to the program.
• Demonstrate that your academic qualifications continue to meet the course entry requirements.