Museums and heritage organisations bring material worlds into existence. They shape ideas and interpretations through cultures of preservation and display. They lead debates on challenging political, social, and ethical concerns. Based in the world-famous Sainsbury Centre. The Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies Master course places you at the centre of these conversations. You’ll become part of a unique community. We're the only Art History Department in the UK located within a world-renowned art museum.
You’ll develop a unique combination of theory and practice. You’ll be able to connect the present to the past and the future. You’ll use the Sainsbury Centre's collection of world art to address big issues. Learning from world-leading experts, you’ll gain insights into both museum and heritage sectors. You’ll consider global and local perspectives on art, history, culture, communication, and identity.
A distinctive feature of the course is short-term work placements. This provides you with real-world opportunities to develop your professional skills. You’re supported every step of the way and choose a location that suits your interests. Over fifteen days, you experience at first-hand how museums address collections and visitors. You’ll examine how museums and heritage organisations communicate to different audiences.
You’ll learn through an inter-disciplinary approach. This includes museum studies, art history, archaeology, history, and anthropology. You can immerse yourself in the historic city of Norwich and its heritage sites, including the Norwich Castle Museum. You’ll connect with our many partner organisations across the region. Your work placement will foster a wealth of relevant and transferable skills. The course thus prepares you for a variety of careers in the museum and heritage sectors.
Our ethos is about inclusion and partnership. The Sainsbury Centre, Norfolk Museums, and Ipswich Museum are formal partners. We have associations with National Trust, Norfolk Archaeology Trust, and South Asia Collection. Other links include the Britten Pears Arts and the Norwich Historic Churches Trust. These organisations run diverse programmes of cultural activity which you can contribute to. Representatives from the Museums Association are often involved in our training programmes. Many of our alumni now work with these partner organisations. We look forward to welcoming you to join our community.
