Cultural Heritage Studies

Cultural Heritage Studies at University College London offers an interdisciplinary master’s programme designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for the preservation, management, and interpretation of cultural heritage in a global context. This programme combines insights from archaeology, history, conservation, archaeology, heritage management, and policy studies, enabling students to critically analyze the cultural significance of diverse heritage sites, objects, and practices. Curriculum focuses on understanding the theoretical underpinnings of heritage, alongside applied methods for its documentation, conservation, and presentation. Students will engage with a range of issues including heritage legislation, sustainable conservation practices, community participation, digital heritage, and the impact of tourism. The programme emphasizes both scholarly research and professional practice, preparing graduates for careers in heritage organizations, museums, archaeological firms, NGOs, and government agencies. Equipped with advanced skills in heritage assessment, project management, and ethical considerations, students will develop a nuanced understanding of contemporary challenges facing cultural heritage worldwide. Teaching is delivered through lectures, seminars, and hands-on workshops, often incorporating case studies and fieldwork opportunities. Collaborations with museums, heritage sites, and industry professionals provide valuable experiential learning. The programme also encourages critical reflection on heritage policies and the social responsibilities involved in heritage preservation and interpretation. Graduates will be well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the sustainable management and safeguarding of cultural heritage for future generations. Whether aiming for careers in heritage consultancy, curation, policy development, or academia, students will find this programme to be a rigorous and enriching pathway into the diverse field of cultural heritage.

Students are introduced to theoretical issues involved in cultural heritage and develop a critical understanding of the social and political context in which the processes for managing cultural heritage operate. The flexible programme structure allows students to design a theoretically based or practically based degree depending on each individual's needs and interests.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of two core module (30 credits), optional modules (60 credits), an optional work placement and a research dissertation (90 credits).

Core modules

Students are required to take the following core modules: 

• Critical Perspectives on Cultural Heritage
• Cultural Heritage, Globalisation and Development

Optional modules

Students then choose to follow further option choices to the value of 60 credits. At least 30 credits must be taken from the list below. The remaining 30 credits may also come from this list or can be chosen from the outstanding range of Master's option choices offered by the UCL Institute of Archaeology. 

• Antiquities and the Law
• Archaeology and Education
• Archaeologies of Modern Conflict
• Art: Interpretation and Explanation
• Beyond Chiefdoms: Archaeologies of African Political Traditions
• Cultural Memory
• Funerary Archaeology
• Intangible Dimensions of Museum Objects from Egypt
• Managing Archaeological Sites
• Managing Museums
• Museum and Site Interpretation

Dissertation/report

All students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical demonstrations, site visits and guest lectures, and includes a 20-day placement in a museum or other cultural heritage organisation. Assessment is through essays, projects reports, a heritage agency report following the placement, and the dissertation.

Placement

Students have the option to do a 20-day voluntary placement in a museum or other cultural heritage organisation. In recent years, these placements have included organisations such as English Heritage, The National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces, ICOMOS (Paris), World Monuments Fund (Paris), UNESCO World Heritage Centre (Paris) and the Museum of London. The placement is not formally assessed. 

A minimum of an upper second-class Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Institute of Archaeology Master's Awards: A small number of grants of £1,000 are available for the academic year 2017/18. All UK/EU and Overseas fee paying students with an offer to start any Master's degree offered by the IoA are eligible to apply. For an application form please email Lisa Daniel. The deadline for applications is 1 March 2017.

The Cultural Heritage Studies program at University College London offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding, preserving, and managing cultural heritage in its diverse forms. The programme combines theoretical foundations with practical skills, enabling students to critically analyze heritage issues, policies, and practices across different cultural and historical contexts. Students gain insights into heritage conservation, museum studies, archaeology, digitization, and community engagement, preparing them for careers in academia, heritage management, museums, conservation projects, and policy development. The curriculum includes core modules that cover heritage theories, legal and ethical considerations, and methodologies for heritage research. Electives allow students to specialize in areas such as urban heritage, intangible cultural heritage, or archaeological site management. The programme emphasizes hands-on experience through site visits, internships, and collaborations with heritage organizations, fostering practical competencies alongside academic knowledge. UCL's location in London provides access to a rich array of museums, archives, and archaeological sites, enriching the learning experience. The teaching staff comprises leading experts in cultural heritage, archaeology, conservation, and related fields, who bring international perspectives and ongoing research into the classroom. Graduates of the programme are well-equipped to pursue careers in heritage consultancy, conservation planning, museum curation, cultural policy, and research. The program promotes a global outlook, encouraging students to consider heritage issues from multiple cultural viewpoints and to develop sustainable and inclusive approaches to heritage preservation. With an emphasis on critical thinking, interdisciplinary methodology, and practical engagement, the Cultural Heritage Studies program at UCL prepares students to address contemporary challenges in the stewardship and valorization of cultural heritage worldwide.