Museums and Heritage Practice MSc

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.

Our Professional Project module enables you to shape and pursue an independent research project or placement of your choice, or to work directly with varied academic staff and professional organisations from museums, heritage or archaeology in group research projects or placements, making it highly suitable for specialised or desk-based researchers, CPD, entrepreneurship or practice across the museums and heritage sector. This rich course prepares your skills for diverse careers in the British Heritage sector, or for advanced further study in global contexts.

The MSc in Museums and Heritage Practice runs a condensed timetable across three terms with the fourth (summer) term dedicated fully to the research dissertation.

MODULES

• Advanced Research Skills: This module examines the skills and methodologies required for advanced archaeological, historical and heritage research. You will gain the opportunity to explore a range of skills and to build on your existing knowledge and expertise, including how to identify relevant resources, how to appraise and critique research publications, and how to construct and analyse historical and archaeological evidence. This module therefore lays the groundwork for larger research projects, such as the dissertation. Through this module, you are afforded the opportunity to engage with the practicalities of undertaking research in the archive and in the field, considering varying approaches to active and proactive research. You will learn how to work with historical and archaeological practitioners, organisations and digital resources, honing your craft with cutting-edge research methods and practice. 
• Critical Perspectives on the Past: Why and how does the past matter? Why and how do academic researchers tackle the human journey and its significance in today's world? Spanning the disciplines of history, heritage studies and archaeology, this module provides an advanced-level introduction and engagement with current theoretical and applied debates on the meaning of the human past and its significance in today's world.
• Museum Collections Management and Object Care: This module explores museum studies in theory (museology) and practice, providing an advanced introduction and analysis of current debates around collections management to equip students for master ’s-level research and museum practice. We explore major themes in the theory and practice of museums, beginning with their origins as cabinets of curiosity and wonder, analysing the development and consequences of museum collecting and research, and exploring the role of museums in past, present and future social and political agendas. This will include modern approaches to:
  • curatorial practice
  • ethical collecting
  • treatment of human remains
  • artefact provenance and recording
  • research
  • conservation
  • presentation to inform public engagement
  • volunteering
  • education

You will be encouraged to explore these themes in light of the needs of the objects and source communities, local, regional and international audiences, stakeholders and best practice guidance from the Museums Association and Collections Trust.

• Sustainable Heritage Practice: This module explores the identification and cultural significance of archaeological, built and cultural heritage sites, by analysing key concepts in the research, preservation, management and interpretation of heritage in local, national and international frameworks. We analyse the rise of heritage protection for historic sites and buildings to understand past societies, senses of place, purpose, authenticity, identity and community. Real-world case studies investigate the purposes and formation of the built environment. We explore heritage sites and cities from Chester and Shropshire, the northwest and Wales, to analyse decision-making and best practices in research, preservation, interpretation and management of artefacts, archaeological sites and cultural heritage. This is conducted in a variety of settings, such as Portable Antiquities, historic houses, sacred and fortified sites and townscapes, within the cultural, socio-economic and political context of the British Isles and of World Heritage. We uncover key debates in listing and significance, preservation, planning and interpretation, beauty and decay, past ownership and future re-use. We also explore how contemporary society can balance the needs of researchers and educators, varied public stakeholders, audiences and communities, and the natural world in caring for heritage sites and historic landscapes.
• Professional Project: This module offers experiential learning opportunities in the form of bespoke placements, or experiential or research projects that are embedded in professional practice. Projects allow you to develop applied skills in public archaeology, history, museums and heritage through a closely defined piece of work. There is considerable flexibility in the design and scope of these professional projects, but they may include digital work, placements or research projects undertaken either internally or externally. Each project will enable you to understand the demand, design, purposes, commissioning and delivery of specialist research and practice across the heritage and public engagement sectors. Archaeology, History, Heritage and Museum Studies all place a high value on research project work and the communication of that work to the public.  The skills and capacity to carry out and present subject research according to required professional formats, accessibly and concisely for a range of audiences is an essential skill of the researcher. Demonstrating desk-based, collection-based, heritage or public engagement research expertise is also a key aspect of professional practice. Projects will be arranged to reflect your interests and, according to your pathway of study, may reflect on: 
  • Curation and collections management 
  • Material culture studies or archives 
  • Museums and heritage learning and public engagement 
  • Digital research or development 
  • Educational resources 
  • Relationships between archaeology and the public 
  • Archaeological, museums or heritage research practices, such as display 
  • Sector research and strategy  
• Historic Landscapes and Digital Worlds: This module interrogates specialist approaches to a shared endeavour of history, archaeology and heritage studies: to tell the story and to critique the stories we tell, about past worlds. In the 21st century, this now encapsulates a host of digital and virtual environments, as well as more traditional engagements with tangible spaces and places. Material culture studies and social memory are pivotal concepts in this innovative field, allowing us to explore how people create the past through their engagements with physical as well as digital environments. We facilitate tackling these critical approaches outside of traditional subject-specific silos, through this module you will engage with interdisciplinary and specialist frameworks to enhance your chosen Master’s pathway. Here, you will have the opportunity to work with dedicated members of staff to explore topics in-depth and to develop your skills as a professional in your particular field. The module allows you to explore a wide range of chronological and geographic landscapes and environments, virtual or physical, through one of two critical lenses, either:
  • Tangible pasts: exploring landscape, material culture and memory in the past and present (incorporating archaeological, historical and heritage theory, method and practice) 
  • Digital pasts: evaluating and utilising digital and virtual environments for public history, heritage and public archaeology. 
• Research Dissertation: Each student researches and writes a 12,000-word dissertation on a historical, archaeological, museum or heritage-related topic of their choosing. The topic and title are negotiated between the student and the supervising tutor. The research dissertation is based upon guided, but largely independent, research and upon substantial use of a range of primary source materials. The dissertation module includes taught elements on dissertation prep and design and one-to-one individual supervision.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

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

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.

Job Prospects

Students may go on to find meaningful employment in the industry or pursue a research degree. Destinations include heritage organisations, museums, and the civil service or education sectors. 

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs.