The MA in Sustainable Heritage Management provides the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary skills and knowledge needed to master aspects of sustainable heritage management theory and practice. You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience with heritage sector professionals – through placements in the UK and abroad; and working in partnership with different heritage organisations, researchers and specialists – and to develop essential skills and knowledge for current careers in heritage sectors. Thus, it provides a good grounding for those intending to proceed to doctoral research or to work in practice.

The programme is developed and taught by leading heritage academics and practitioners, the interests of whom are extremely diverse and encompass heritage studies and management at all levels and in different regions (e.g. the UK, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, India and China). This means that you will have the chance to build expertise in areas that most interest them.

The structure of the MA and its learning, teaching and assessment activities will challenge you to think about the meanings of heritage and frame sustainable heritage management in its architectural, urban, social, political, scientific and economic contexts. You will have the chance to apply learning through a range of research and practice-based projects with a wide range of regional, national and international partners.

Recent graduates of similar programmes have gone on to work in the heritage policy field and/or project related-areas for national and international organisations. Therefore, you will have a wide range of potential career pathways, including, but not limited to, conservation officer, conservation architect, heritage consultant, building surveyor, or heritage crafts. You will have the opportunity to work in UK government agencies: Historic Scotland, English Heritage, CadW and the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland, or work internationally for heritage organisations in their respective countries and for international heritage charities such as UNESCO, ICOMOS, Council of Europe and ICCROM.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

This course is fully recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) – the UK's leading body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment experts – and covers its areas of competence. The programme also follows the education guidelines of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), UNESCO and Council of Europe requirements. You can apply for full IHBC membership after 2 years of professional experience, as opposed to 5 years.