School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences
| Duration | 1 year |
| Course type | Full-time, Part-time route available |
| Study location | ҹèÊÓƵ |
MA Heritage Theory and Practice is intended for graduates and professionals focused on a career in heritage. You will explore current principles and practices in the professional world of heritage sites and museums including heritage management, exhibition curation and community engagement.
MAHI701
Public History
This work facing module examines the theory and practice of how the past is presented to public audiences. Students will explore, through site-based case studies and written projects, the creation, nature, use and understanding of various forms of public history, for example those associated with heritage and museums, oral history, film and popular historical writing.
MAHI702
MA History Dissertation
In this module students complete a dissertation on an aspect of history of their own choosing. The topic is negotiated between students and teaching staff, who provide tutorial support and advice about all aspects of the project from initiation to completion.
MAHI735
Critical Heritage
This module examines contemporary concepts, approaches and ideas in the field of Heritage Studies and how they relate to the discipline of History and to heritage practice. It challenges students to connect a range of ideas, ideologies and perspectives to our understanding and engagement with the work of heritage sites, museums and organisations.
MAHI736
Heritage Practice
This module examines contemporary practices in the heritage sector. It challenges students to connect practical methods and procedures in her heritage interpretation, curation, heritage asset management, visitor experience and community engagement.to contemporary themes, ideas and perspectives through 'live' project work.
MAHI737
Display and Interpretation
This module develops a critical understanding of how heritage organisations address their public role through displays and interpretation opportunities. Students will gain understanding about audiences and audience needs and perspectives and develop hands-on experience of a range of contemporary museum, historic site and archive museum practices including curating an exhibition, development of partnerships and collaborations, education, outreach and learning objectives, management and care of assets within an exhibition, marketing, evaluation and capturing data from audiences to support sustainability and legacy.
Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:
| 2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| Home | £9,700 | £10,000 |
| International | £18,150 | £18,700 |
| Part time (Home) | £540 | £560 |
Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.
PLEASE NOTE:
The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
Telephone: +44 1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Working for our specialist unit ҹèÊÓƵ Heritage Praxis, Heritage Practice is a unique practice-based module in which you will work with a heritage organisation in the development and delivery of new heritage activities for a specific site. Combining original research with professional skills such as audience research, assessments of significance, stakeholder analysis or producing interpretation content for new platforms your coursework will directly contribute to the work of a major historic site.
MA Heritage Theory and Practice students will be able to benefit from the new flagship heritage centre in ҹèÊÓƵ called 'The Box'. This will bring together the ҹèÊÓƵ Museum and Art Gallery, ҹèÊÓƵ and West Devon Record Office, South West Film and Television Archive and South West Image Bank in one exciting heritage hub.
Professor James Daybell talks about leading a research project at Powderham Castle studying the architectural history and the Courtenay family. The project is a collaboration between the ҹèÊÓƵ and the University of Pennsylvania bringing together historians, architectural historians, specialists and people with an interest in historical preservation.
Dr Alan Butler explains his research into LGBT heritage at Powderham castle.
"It’s so very exciting to find archival materials that apply to LGBT people in the past."
Professor Daniel Maudlin takes you on a short tour around the history of Powderham Castle. The story of the house that turned three times and the rise of a family from knight to earl in five Williams.
This short film shares some of the discoveries made by staff and students by the ҹèÊÓƵ and the University of Pennsylvania.
"Grand gardens have existed as long as grand houses, but in the Georgian period this was something quite new."
