Why study this course?
The MLitt in Museums, Heritage and Society is a taught postgraduate online 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 and heritage work, or for those looking for a mid-career change.
Highlights
- Taught by experienced practising museum professionals and academics
- Flexible and fully online
- A residential week in St Andrews with lectures and seminar discussions, museum tours, object handling and practical workshops
Teaching
Lectures, discussion boards, individual and group tasks.
Assessment
A range of assignments including: essays, presentations, object studies, reviews, programme brief and reflective practice.
Dissertation
MLitt students complete a dissertation which can be practice-based.
Modules
All modules are 15 credits, except the capstone project taken as the final module and accounting for 60 credits.
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
-
- Core module: Introduction to Museums and Heritage
- People in Museums: Audiences, Leadership and Strategy
- Experiencing Museums: Exhibitions, Learning and Engagement
- Active Collections: Development, Preservation and Access
- The Museum: A Social History
- Exhibiting Antiquity: Collecting, Curating and Displaying the Past
- The Ethical Digital Museum
- Critical perspectives on World Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Community Engagement and Participation
-
- Dissertation or
- Practice-based dissertation
What it will lead to
Careers
Recent graduates of our in-person course, Museum and Heritage Studies, which includes similar modules, 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
We are committed to supporting your career aspirations, whatever stage of your career you are at. Our Careers Centre can help connect you to our extensive global alumni community for advice and mentoring, as well as offering career coaching, bespoke workshops, employer connections, experiences, and application support.
The Careers Centre also offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their networks and developing skills to create their own successful careers.
Our International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute offers peer mentoring and an extensive suite of courses to support your academic and professional skills development.
Why St Andrews?
The online MLitt in Museums, Heritage and Society is designed for professionals in the sector looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers, while also welcoming recent graduates seeking to enter the field.
This flexible programme offers advanced training that combines theory and practice which is relevant across a wide range of museums, galleries, and heritage organisations. Throughout your studies you will develop critical skills that enable you to engage meaningfully with society and drive positive change within the sector.
The Museums, Heritage and Society programme is online and self-paced, with options to study for a PGCert, PGDip or MLitt.
Wherever you are, you can take St Andrews with you. Online Masters at the University of St Andrews combine all the benefits of studying at one of the world's oldest and best universities, with all the advantages of flexible, personalised learning.
Alumni
As a graduate of St Andrews, you become part of a prestigious and globally connected alumni community. This lifelong membership offers access to career services, networking opportunities, and exclusive resources. Engaging with the University's worldwide alumni network ensures you remain connected to St Andrews, no matter where your career takes you.
Entry requirements
- A 2.1 Honours undergraduate degree.
- Museum work or voluntary experience is welcome, as are transferable skills gained in other roles
The MLitt in Museums, Heritage and Society welcomes applications from students from all disciplines relevant to museum work, such as:
- History
- Archaeology
- Anthropology
- Languages
- Media and Communications
- Physical and Natural Sciences.
The qualifications listed are indicative of standard requirements for entry. Some academic Schools may require applicants to achieve higher grades than the standard to be competitive. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University takes a holistic view of every application.
If your qualification does not appear in the list, it may not meet the typical requirements for entry to this programme. You may need a higher-level qualification to be competitive, for example, a Masters degree.
English language requirements
Some applicants may need to provide an English language test score to evidence their English language ability. Find out who needs to provide evidence of English language ability. Details of acceptable tests and scores are provided below.
Test scores are only normally accepted if obtained within two years of the programme start date.
Application requirements
- CV
- personal statement (500 words)
- sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
- one reference (both professional and academic references are accepted).
- academic transcripts and degree certificates that confirm your current or final marks. If your transcripts are not in English, please provide certified translations. Do not send original documents as they cannot be returned.
Fees and funding
Fees for 2026 entry: £1,250 per 15 credits with an estimated total fee of £15,000
Scholarships and funding
We are committed to supporting you through your studies, regardless of your financial circumstances. You may be eligible for scholarships, discounts or other support:
Contact us
Start your journey
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 course 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: 20 July 2026