Course summary
The MA in Public History and Heritage is a flexible programme designed to offer academic training, for those interested in research careers, and the relevant employability skills needed for the heritage sector. A range of stimulating modules cover topics such as museum studies, conflict heritage, Egyptology, ancient civilisations, medieval studies, and contemporary history. Throughout your studies, you are encouraged to build your analytical and methodological awareness of key concepts, and approaches to communicating the past to different public audiences. You will also learn more about the history of heritage, and the lively role of public history and heritage within global debates. You will draw on the expertise of internationally recognised scholars and gain practical, hands-on experience through a work placement programme. The organisations we work with include the National Trust, Cadw, the Canal and River Trust, and museums, archives, and galleries across South Wales. You could also work with charities, local heritage projects, and research institutions. You will study on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula. The campus has a botanical garden and several historic buildings including Singleton Abbey, a Grade II 19th century mansion. The programme works closely with the University’s archives and collections including the world-renowned Egypt Centre, the South Wales Miners’ Library, the University art collections, and the Richard Burton Archives. The programme is delivered within the School of Culture and Communication, home to the Graduate Centre which is designed to promote individual and collaborative research activity of an international standard, providing a supportive environment for students pursuing postgraduate research and taught master’s study. We also offer postgraduate training to enhance academic and professional development, and facilitate seminar programmes, workshops, and international conferences through our research centres; CHART (the Centre for Heritage Research and Training), OLCAP (the Research Group for Object and Landscape Centred Approaches to the Past), and KYKNOS (the Centre for Research on the Narrative Literatures of the Ancient World). You’ll be joining a leading department, with renowned research and expertise: • 100% of our research impact is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
Modules
You will study six 20-credit modules before undertaking either a 60-credit practice-based dissertation project or a 60-credit written dissertation project. Modules include options in ancient history, ancient Egyptian culture, Welsh identities, museum practice and a work placement.
Assessment method
We are proud to provide an outstanding educational experience, using the most effective learning and teaching approaches, carefully tailored to suit the specific needs of your course. Our courses consist of in-person, on-campus teaching, enabling full engagement with your lecturers and fellow students. Practical skills sessions, seminars, and workshops predominantly take place in person, allowing for group work and presentations. However, our approach also includes the use of some online learning to support and enhance traditional face-to-face teaching. Online learning may take place ‘live’ using software such as Zoom, allowing you to interact with lecturers and guest speakers. Lecture recordings also allow for more flexibility to revisit material, to revise for assessments, and to enhance learning outside of the classroom. Some modules have extra resources in our virtual learning environment (Canvas), such as videos and podcasts enabling further flexible study.
How to apply
International applicants
If you are an International Student, please visit our International pages for more information about entry requirements: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/requirements/
Entry requirements
The typical entry requirement is 2:1 degree in History, Heritage Studies, Archaeology, Classics, Egyptology, Geography, Cultural Studies, Sociology, humanities or social science subjects, or a science-based archaeology or conservation degree. We will also consider applications from candidates with significant professional or volunteering experience in the heritage/public history sector. For applicants whose first language is not English, we require IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English test.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For the latest fee information, please check the individual course page on our website. Our full range of programmes are listed here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/
Further information on tuition fees can be found here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees/
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP