MLitt in Museum and Heritage Studies
Saint Andrews, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
07 Aug 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 25,880 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* overseas / home: £11,680
Key Summary
Introduction
The MLitt in Museum and Heritage Studies prepares students for employment in museums with broad training in all types of museums, galleries and other heritage facilities.
Course details
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.
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 all types of museums, galleries and heritage facilities, and includes the principles of conservation, museum education, exhibition planning and design, and management
- 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. This includes the Museums of the University of St Andrews, which steward and share more than 115,000 objects across a wide range of subject areas, from art to zoology, and deliver exhibitions, programmes and digital engagement. Practical project work is indicative, the number of projects available to students for application will vary from year to year
- Students may also apply to take part in a summer exchange programme at our partner institution, the École du Louvre.
Admissions
Curriculum
The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your program.
The modules in this program 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. The themes examined will include, among others, an introduction to theories in museology, museum activism, museums, and climate action, decolonization, and the post-digital museum
- Museum Practice: equips you with foundational skills required in a broad range of roles within the cultural sector. Taught by highly experienced practitioners from the University of St Andrews Museums Team, the Museum, and Heritage Studies teaching team, and staff from across the University, it will introduce the basic tenets of collections management, display and interpretation, education, outreach, and access and digital skills, and how these and other elements fit together to create a cohesive and engaging museum program.
Optional
Optional modules allow you to broaden your learning in key topics relevant to the MLitt.
The available optional modules will be confirmed before the MLitt start date.
Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students (see the University’s position on curriculum development).
Dissertation
Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.
Alternatively, students may choose to complete a summer Work-based Placement or to participate in the Group Public Engagement Project modules.
If students choose not to complete the dissertation, Work-based Placement, or Public Engagement Project summer requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.
Teaching
Teaching format
All Museum and Heritage Studies students take two compulsory modules over in Semester 1, and choose from a range of optional modules in Semester 2.
The taught modules are delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical sessions and visits to museums and galleries.
The final three months of the course will be focused on writing the final assessment piece, a 15,000-word dissertation, or applying to take one of the following modules; an individual student project, or a public engagement project.
Assessment
Students complete a range of assignments per module in a variety of formats including:
- An essay
- A provenance research exercise
- An exhibition or website review
- An educational lesson plan.
Support
The Museum and Heritage Studies course is collaboratively taught by both academic and museum staff, who are actively engaged with museum work nationally and internationally, bringing theoretical and practical perspectives together. There are also visiting lectures, class visits and other contributions from the Scottish museums community.
Scholarships and Funding
The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.
The University of St Andrews offers postgraduate scholarships and other financial awards. These may be held in addition to external funding or awards from a government body. These may also cover (fully or partially) tuition fees, maintenance (living costs including accommodation), or both.
Scholarships are available based on academic merit and financial need. There are scholarships available for both home and overseas fee status. The scholarship team recommends reading the terms of each award carefully and applying to a range of funding sources.
Postgraduate scholarships
Postgraduate study is an investment in your intellectual development and career potential. The University of St Andrews provides scholarships to help as many students as possible continue in higher education.
Scholarship availability may depend on your area of study or fee status (for example, whether you are a 'Home' or 'Overseas' student).
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
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 programs at St Andrews or elsewhere.