Careers with this subject
Key features
- Study Heritage with the University of Plymouth and work on ‘live’ projects with one of our heritage partners including English Heritage, National Trust, Dartmoor National Park, Powderham Castle, The Museum of Cornish Life and The Box.
- Explore the connections between theory and practice in contemporary issues such as equality, diversity and inclusion; climate change; and, health and wellbeing.
- Be part of the team of Plymouth Heritage Praxis, the University of Plymouth’s heritage engagement unit.
- Be taught contemporary heritage practice by heritage professionals from organisations including the National Trust, the V&A, National Heritage Lottery Fund and Dartmoor National Park.
- Explore the emerging field of digital heritage, producing your own online content for our 'Digital History Project'.
- Choose to produce your own heritage project instead of a traditional dissertation.
- Participate in an internship with one of our national and regional heritage partners.
Course details
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Year 1
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You can study MA Heritage Theory and Practice full-time over one year or part-time over two years. Across your degree you will take four core modules and the dissertation - or portfolio project - module.The core modules are Critical Heritage, Heritage Practice, Public History and Heritage and Display and Interpretation.Note: part-time students will take the core modules Critical Heritage and Public History and Heritage in their first year.Your degree culminates in an independently researched MA dissertation. Or, instead of a dissertation you can choose to develop your own heritage project.
Core modules
MAHI701
Public HistoryThis 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 DissertationIn 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 HeritageThis 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 PracticeThis module examines contemporary practices in the heritage sector. It challenges students to connect practical methods and procedures in heritage interpretation, curation, heritage asset management, visitor experience and community engagement.to contemporary themes, ideas and perspectives through 'live' project work.
MAHI737
Display and InterpretationThis 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:
Entry requirements
Fees, costs and funding
New student | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
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Home | £9,700 | £9,700 |
International | £17,600 | £18,150 |
Part time (Home) | £540 | £540 |
Find out more about your eligibility for a postgraduate loan
Tuition fee discount for University of Plymouth graduates
- 10% or 20% discount on tuition fees for home students
- For 2024/2025 entry, a 20% discount on tuition fees for international students (International alumni who have applied to the University through an agent are not eligible to receive the discount)
Postgraduate scholarships for international students
Heritage and museum sector discount
How to apply
When to apply
Before you apply
- evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
- evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
- a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
- your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
- proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
Disability Inclusion Services
International students
Submitting an application
What happens after I apply?
Telephone: +44 1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk
Admissions policy
Plymouth Heritage Praxis
Students on the Public History module go digital
Featured module: Heritage Practice
Working for our specialist unit Plymouth 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.
Visiting specialists
The Box: Plymouth's heritage hub
MA Heritage Theory and Practice students will be able to benefit from the new flagship heritage centre in Plymouth called 'The Box'. This will bring together the Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, South West Film and Television Archive and South West Image Bank in one exciting heritage hub.
Powderham archives research
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 University of Plymouth and the University of Pennsylvania bringing together historians, architectural historians, specialists and people with an interest in historical preservation.
Powderham’s LGBT history
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."
Buildings research at Powderham
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 University of Plymouth and the University of Pennsylvania.
The American Gardens
"Grand gardens have existed as long as grand houses, but in the Georgian period this was something quite new."
MA Heritage Theory and Practice staff
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Professor Daniel Maudlin
Professor
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Professor James Daybell
Associate Dean (Research)
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Dr James Gregory
Associate Professor of Modern British History
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Ms Jo Loosemore
Visiting Fellow
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Dr Alan Butler
Associate Lecturer
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Dr Sana Murrani
Associate Professor (Spatial Practice)
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Dr Rachael Kiddey
Lecturer in Heritage and Museum Studies