Program Overview

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Museum and Heritage Studies (MLitt) 2025 entry

Overview

The MLitt in Museum and Heritage Studies is a taught postgraduate programme run by the Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Studies, in association with the School of Art History and the Museums of the University of St Andrews. The MLitt is aimed at students wanting to start a career in museum or gallery work, or for those looking for a mid-career change.

Programme Details

• Duration: One year full time
• School: Graduate School
• Fees:
  • UK: £12,030
  • Rest of the world: £25,900

Why Study This Course?

The MLitt in Museum and Heritage Studies provides a grounding in both theoretical and practical elements of museum studies while offering the opportunity for specialism. The degree provides broad training, covering museums, galleries and heritage facilities, and includes collections care, exhibition planning and design, management, decolonial practice, environmental sustainability and digital theory and practice.

Highlights

• The programme provides a grounding in both theoretical and practical elements of museum studies while offering the opportunity for specialism.
• The degree provides broad training, covering museums, galleries and heritage facilities, and includes collections care, exhibition planning and design, management, decolonial practice, environmental sustainability and digital theory and practice.
• Teaching normally takes place in the University, while select structured visits to museums, art galleries, historic houses, ships and other heritage sites inform the programme learning experience.
• Students may apply to undertake practical project work from a portfolio of options with a wide variety of host organisations.
• Students may also apply to take part in a summer exchange programme at our partner institution, the École du Louvre.

Teaching

Delivered through lectures, seminars, practical sessions and visits to museums and galleries.

Dissertation

A 15,000-word dissertation, a work-based placement, or public engagement project.

Assessment

Assignments include essays, provenance research exercise, proposal for a public engagement activity, and digital projects.

Modules

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. There are two compulsory modules in Semester 1, followed by a selection of optional modules in Semester 2 covering a range of topics.

Compulsory

• The Museum: Global Perspectives and Debates: provides you with a thorough grounding in museum studies through investigation into global literature and case studies.
• Museum Practice: equips you with foundational skills required in a broad range of roles within the cultural sector.

Optional

The available optional modules will be confirmed before the MLitt start date.

What It Will Lead To

Careers

Recent Museum and Heritage Studies graduates have gone on to work for a range of institutions, including:

• Chicago Institute of Art
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• National Trust for Scotland
• Scottish Fisheries Museum

Further Study

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.

Why St Andrews?

Like the University of St Andrews, its museums are rooted in and draw inspiration from this 600-year history of research and teaching, and the pursuit of knowledge for the common good.

Entry Requirements

• A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
• Museum work or voluntary experience is welcome, as are transferable skills gained in other roles
• English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

Application Requirements

• CV that includes a history of your education and employment to date
• Personal statement (500 words)
• Sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
• Two original signed academic references
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Scholarships and Funding

We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:

• The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust Scholarship, an award of £5,000, is open to students of Museum and Heritage Studies.
• GREAT Scholarship
• St Andrews Sanctuary Scholarship
• St Leonard's funding opportunities
• Graduate discount (15% off tuition fees)

Art history scholarships

Alumni

When you graduate you become a member of the University's worldwide alumni community. Benefit from access to alumni clubs, the Saint Connect networking and mentoring platform, and careers support.