Course summary

MA Public History and Heritage is a dynamic course which combines rigorous historical training with heritage-focused, hands-on experience. The course offers an opportunity to engage with both the theory and practice of public history. Whether your interests lie in museum curation, historic preservation, public exhibitions, or academic research, this course equips you with the tools to interpret, present and protect the past in ways that resonate with the public. At the heart of the programme is a commitment to employability and real-world application. All students can have an opportunity to complete a professional placement with one of our established heritage partners, giving you direct access to industry insight and experience. The course also includes carbon literacy training tailored to the museum and heritage industries. The course embeds the research expertise of staff across the department and is supported by the innovative work of the Manchester Centre for Public History and Heritage (MCPHH), which works with local heritage organisations to develop additional opportunities for students, organises public-facing events, and provides a network of contacts for placements and career development. All modules have been co-designed with external partners and employers to ensure that your learning is both academically robust and professionally relevant. Assessments go beyond traditional essays to include real-world outputs such as exhibitions, catalogues, digital projects, and heritage reports, preparing you for the diverse demands of the sector. With a curriculum grounded in professional practice, shaped by employer partnerships, and enriched by a strong research culture, this programme offers a route into a wide range of careers. MA Public History and Heritage is ideal for anyone considering a career in heritage management, museums, archives, libraries, tourism, local government, or the broader cultural sector. It also provides excellent preparation for doctoral study or research-focused careers. Features and Benefits

• Professional skills - develop skills specific to the heritage industry, such as field-recording of heritage assets, the production of industry-standard reports, and the integration of heritage decision-making into various areas of public administration.

• Exciting placements - work placements will introduce you to the real working environment and enable you to establish valuable contacts within the industry. Previous placements have included Manchester Histories, Sound Archives Unlocked, the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre, People’s History Museum, and a number of National Trust properties.

• Industry connections - strong links with regional and national historians and archives.

• Academic expertise - work alongside leading researchers whose published work covers a wide range of geographical and chronological areas including: women and slavery in America, medieval crusades, the history of the country-house, early modern politics and culture, crime and the Victorian city, terrorism and political violence, museums and public policy.

• Manchester Centre for Public Histories and Heritage - draw on the expertise of the Manchester Centre for Public Histories and Heritage based in our department, where many of our academics are active researchers.

• Research-informed teaching - 83% of our research is rated internationally excellent. (REF 2021).

• Hone your research skills – pursue your own original historical project that allows you to develop your research skills, with the aid of expert supervision.