Program Overview

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Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies - MA

Overview

Preparing the heritage and museum professionals of the future.

Summary

This well-established programme produces the heritage managers and museum curators of the future. On this programme you will:

• have access to leading academics and practitioners in the field;
• go on study visits to museums and heritage locations to learn about latest practice;
• learn from students who have graduated from the programme and now work in the field; and,
• undertake a placement to get hands on experience of the sector.

Key areas of investigation in this MA include:

• Policy development and management issues relating to heritage, museum and cultural sectors in Ireland, north and south;
• Analysis of the social, economic and cultural contexts of museums and heritage; and,
• International context of key issues and practice for the heritage and museum sectors.

Modules reflect innovative and current research and will equip you with the appropriate skills for further academic and professional development.

About this course

About

For over 20 years the MA Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies has been preparing new professionals for the heritage and museum sectors in Northern Ireland, Ireland and GB.

Together we explore the sector knowledge and skills required to work in the heritage, museum and arts fields.

We will reflect on the achievements of our graduates working in learning and outreach, curatorship, conservation, and management. Our alumni work in National Museums Northern Ireland, local museums and heritage sites, the National Trust as well as in museums in Dublin, Scotland and England.

By exploring arts, heritage, museums and exhibition practices with us, you will be prepared for the next stage in your career.

Attendance

All modules are taught on the Belfast campus where you will find excellent teaching rooms, library facilities, and catering provision.

The campus located close to many arts, heritage and museum attractions in the city such as The MAC, Northern Ireland War Memorial, Titanic Belfast, Linen Hall Library, Crumlin Road Gaol and PRONI.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Our course content, teaching methods and assignments are designed to give you a deep understanding of the sector and enhance your employability.

Modules

Year one

• Exploring Heritage
  • This module allows students to engage with key questions and issues relating to "heritage". Students will explore the professional and personal dimensions of discourses and practices of heritage. Students are asked to consider the ways in which people talk about, think about, and represent notions of "heritage" in a variety of local, regional, national, and international contexts.
• Cultures of Curatorship
  • This module considers the political and social basis of museum activity and encourages critical examination of the work and procedures of museums. Though primarily concerned with museum development in Ireland, emphasis will be placed on locating the key issues in an international context. The module will be assessed through a written assignment and oral presentation.

Year two

• Exhibitions: Practice and Evaluation
  • This module is concerned with the exhibition process in museums. It explores the way museums communicate through exhibitions and how this is enhanced through use of space, objects and language.
• Research Methods in Heritage and Museum Studies
  • This module emphasises the importance and role of research within the heritage and museum sector, explores the research agendas underpinning heritage and museum studies, and leads students in the development of research projects in the field.
• Strategic Planning for Heritage and Museum Management
  • Organisations that continuously critically appraise their present performance and develop strategies to plan for the future are more successful in the long term than those that do not. This module equips students with the knowledge and skills to evaluate the importance of strategic planning within heritage and museum organisations and enables them to develop a strategic plan for their organisation.

Year three

• MA Research Project
  • This module gives students the opportunity to conduct supervised research in an area of museum studies, chosen in consultation with their tutors.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

We welcome people with an honours degree in an area relevant to museum and heritage practice, such as:

• Arts and Humanities e.g. Archaeology and Anthropology, History, Fine and Applied Arts;
• Environmental Sciences e.g. Geography (including human geography and historic geography);
• Social Sciences e.g. Sociology, Policy Studies;
• Business & Marketing e.g. Tourism Studies, Management Studies.

You will find that the diverse student group will greatly enhance your learning experience.

If you do not have an honours degree, but have relevant experience or learning, we will consider your application.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Exemptions and transferability

Those applicants seeking entry with advanced standing, (eg. transfer from another institution) will be considered on an individual basis.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

This course was established in the early 2000s, and we have graduates working in the heritage and museum sectors in Northern Ireland, Ireland, UK and further afield. The diversity of destinations of our graduates is a indication of the wide possibilities post graduation.

Our graduates are working at National Museums NI, Northern Ireland Museums Council, National Trust, Historic Royal Palaces, National Heritage Lottery Fund projects, National Gallery Ireland, National Museums Scotland, NI War Memorial.

The areas graduates have gone on to include:

• Museums, Archive and Galleries in a curatorial role or working on exhibitions, documentation, education, and outreach.
• Specialist museum-related training e.g. in conservation of museum objects;
• Heritage sector such as working with built heritage, heritage landscapes and community projects; and,
• Doctoral Research: we have a thriving PhD research community, many of whom are graduates of the MA.

Work placement / study abroad

We arrange a work placement for you in a museum, heritage or arts centre.

Over the years our students have volunteered at National Trust in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Museums Council, National Museums Northern Ireland, and the local and independent museum sector.

When volunteering in these institutions it is very likely you will meet one of our graduates now working there. There is opportunity to use your volunteering to inform your assignments or as a basis for dissertation research.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.

For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:

Fees Credit Points	NI/ROI/GB Cost	International Cost*
5	£201.10	£494.70
10	£402.20	£989.40
15	£603.30	£1,484.10
20	£804.40	£1,978.80
30	£1,206.60	£2,968.20
60	£2,413.20	£5,936.40
120	£4,826.40	£11,872.80
180	£7,239.60	£17,809.20
240	£9,652.80	£23,745.60

*International student access to courses is subject to meeting visa requirements. More information can be found in the Visas and Immigration section.

Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase

Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.

If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.

Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.

Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees.

Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.

Testimonials

“The teaching was fantastic. It was challenging, it was informative. They really gave us the opportunity to have a lot of discussion, to ask questions and present our ideas” Shona MacKay 2019 Graduate

"I was attracted to the course due to its excellent reputation within the sector along with the wide range of learning perspectives it offered. The MA was an incredibly practical and informative experience. We had numerous on and off site visits to gain practical and first hand experience of the sector. We were given opportunities to make contacts within the sector and to gain valuable volunteering work." Charlotte Tracy 2013 Graduate

"The course was well-structured and constantly interested me and my voluntary placements helped me to make sense of the learning theories and museum issues I studied in class" Jenny Haslett, 2012 Graduate

"Shortly after enrolling on the course, I started at North Down Museum where my first project was to carry out research and help create a temporary exhibition. Working at a small museum meant that I had more responsibilities and opportunities. Six months later I was even given some paid work there!" James Scott, 2012 Graduate

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found it both challenging and rewarding throughout" Gretta Halpin 2010 Graduate