Museum and Heritage Studies (MLitt) 2025 entry

The MLitt in Museum and Heritage Studies prepares students for employment or further academic study.

Museum and Heritage Studies MLitt – University of St Andrews

Video transcript

KATIE EAGLETON >> The Museum and Heritage Studies programme here at St Andrews has been really carefully designed to bring together perspectives from theory and perspectives from practice.

In my case I've had 20 years working in libraries, archives and museums and I really bring that into the teaching.

Other colleagues who do more research based work bring that to the teaching and we work together to make this course something for whatever path you're taking.

MATTHEW SHEARD >> One of the things that makes the course here at the University of St Andrews unique is that you're bringing together that cutting edge professional expertise within the Wardlow Museum and the Bell Pettigrew Museum of Natural History.

Staff at those museums are thinking about what a museum can be and rethinking what a museum can be.

So we're carrying out experimentations and research to really understand what the best museum looks like.

DR BRUNO BRULON SOARES >> We are in a moment where museums are changing and heritage and the relations between society and cultural heritage are changing strongly in the present time so we really like to prepare our students to deal with these changes in very specific and critical topics such as sustainability to decolonisation and working with digital in different kinds of institutions.

EAGLETON >> St Andrews I think is a unique place to come.

It's a beautiful little spot on the coast of Scotland.

We've got an incredible academic team, really really strong practitioner team in the museums and we've worked hard to make those really integrate and intertwine to make this course a combination of theory and practice.

SHEARD >> Museum and Heritage Studies prepares you for the career in museums that you want.

You begin by looking across the broad range of everything that happens in a museum and then have the opportunity to specialise in the area that you are interested in.

You get to work alongside museum professionals who are currently doing the job themselves so they will often be teaching you in the afternoon what they themselves have been doing in the morning so you get that up-to-date knowledge from people who have the skill sets already.

NICOLE MEEHAN >> One of the benefits of being part of the Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies is that you'll be exposed to different types of learning from across a number of subjects and you'll also meet students who are working on radically different programmes from you.

You can share perspectives and you can learn from them.

EAGLETON >> This course is ideal for people who want to work in museums or who want to study them and go on to further research and maybe a PhD.

We really work with you from the beginning to see what your path is going to be and how we can best support you to be successful in it.

If you want more information about studying Museum and Heritage Studies at the University of St Andrews, have a look on our website, have a look for the museums on social media, have a look for the museums, galleries and collections institute online as well and get in touch, we'd be happy to talk to you.

Start date: September 2025
End date: September 2026
Duration: One year full time
School: Graduate School

Apply for 2025 entry

Museum and Heritage Studies (MLitt) 2025 entry

Application deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.

Entry requirements

A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
Museum work or voluntary experience is welcome, as are transferable skills gained in other roles
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The MLitt in Museum and Heritage Studies welcomes applications from students from all disciplines relevant to museum work, such as:

History
Archaeology
Anthropology
Languages
Media and Mommunications
Physical and Natural Sciences.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

CV
personal statement (500 words)
sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
two original signed academic references
academic transcripts and degree certificates

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

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 museums, galleries and heritage facilities, and includes collections care, exhibition planning and design, management, decolonial practice, environmental sustainability and digital theory and practice.
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, who 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.

Modules

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 course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

The modules in this programme 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. 

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, decolonisation, 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 programme.

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).

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

All Museum and Heritage Studies students take two compulsory modules 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 apply to take one of the following modules; an individual student project, or a public engagement project.

Students complete a range of assignments per module in a variety of formats including:

an essay
a provenance research exercise
a proposal for a public engagement activity
a digital project

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 and global museums community.

Events

Like the University of St Andrews, its museums are rooted in and draw inspiration from this 600-year history of research and teaching, and the pursuit of knowledge for the common good.

The museums' collections are of national and international interest and importance and consist of around 115,000 artefacts and specimens. Museum collections are featured at the Wardlaw Museum and the Bell Pettigrew Museum, stored and studied in a dedicated Collections Centre, displayed across the University campus, and lent for exhibition nationally and internationally. 

The temporary exhibitions programme is the lifeblood of the Museums, stimulating curiosity and starting conversations. Events are fun and usually free.

The Museums, Galleries and Collections Institute (MGCI) was established in 2005 and is a leading centre for consultancy, training and research in the heritage sector. It hosts an annual public lecture, usually given by an eminent museum director.

The School of Art History, where Museum and Heritage Studies academic staff find their home, supports a large, active and diverse postgraduate community. Postgraduate students publish the peer-reviewed North Street Review journal containing articles on a wide range of topics by students at St Andrews and other universities.

The School organises postgraduate research seminars and occasional symposia. Each year, they invite a number of artists and scholars to give lectures.

Fees

Home
£12,030

Overseas
£25,900

Application fee

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust Scholarship, an award of £5,000, is open to application by students of Museum and Heritage Studies.

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships Postgraduate loans

After your degree

Careers

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

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

Many graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere.

Postgraduate research

Contact us

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2032
Email: gradschool@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address: Graduate School

Legal notices

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy

Information about all programmes from previous years of entry can be found in the archive.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online.

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online.

Page last updated: 2 September 2024