(MA) Master of Arts
Heritage and Museum Studies
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
MA V70012
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A 2.2 Degree or equivalent in any discipline. Your Degree must contain at least three modules relating to visual culture.
Visual Culture modules include, but are not limited to: Aesthetics, Archaeology, Architecture, Art History, Curatorial/Museum Studies, Design Studies, Digital Imaging, Fashion, Fine Art, Film Studies, Film and Literature, Graphic Design, Advertising, Landscape Design, History, Media Studies, Photography.
if you do not hold a degree which includes relevant modules, then we can still consider you. You should be able to show that you have relevant professional experience. If you do not have a relevant degree or relevant experience, then we may ask you to provide a sample of written work which demonstrates your interest in this field.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 5.5 except for 6.0 in writing
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Additional Notes
The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Dr H Camilla Smith
Lecturer in Art History
University of Birmingham
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To offer students the opportunity to combine practical and theoretical training in heritage studies with a grounding in the history and principles of museum display.
- To foster the critical engagement of students with the social and political implications of processes of selection, representation, preservation, use, and display of heritage.
- To make students familiar with the basic principles of professional good practice in heritage and museum work, and to afford the opportunity to acquire technical competence in applying them.
- To develop in students the research skills appropriate to the academic study of heritage studies and the history of museums and exhibitions, and to provide the basis for them to develop the necessary levels of skill and knowledge required to progress to the research degree level.
- To encourage both critical engagement with and enjoyment of both cultural heritage and visual artefacts, and to enable students to understand how to facilitate this engagement for others in the museum context.
- To provide the knowledge and skills (critical inquiry and argument, imaginative understanding, written, spoken and visual interpretation, communication and presentation, digital skills) that will not only stand students in good stead for more specialised heritage and museum careers, but will also enhance their opportunities for employment in a wide range of other careers.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Advanced knowledge and critical understanding of key approaches, concepts, and debates within the fields of museum studies, heritage studies, and material/visual culture studies
A2: Advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the wider contexts (historical, cultural, social, political, economic, geographical, digital) of cultural heritage and museums.
A3: Advanced knowledge and critical understanding of how heritage is selected, represented, preserved, used, and displayed.
A4: Advanced knowledge and critical understanding of the range of methods for the interpretation of heritage on display.
A5: Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a selected research area.
Learning methods
Seminar, workshop, lecture, and dissertation support learning outcomes A1-A4. Supervised research for the dissertation supports learning outcome A5.
Learning methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety (lectures, discussion, close reading, training in visual analysis and critical thinking); this allows students with different learning styles to achieve the learning outcomes.
Assessment methods
Essays, presentations, seminar participation, dissertation support learning outcomes A1-A5.
Assessment methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety; students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in diverse ways (essay-writing, presentations, creating virtual exhibitions, heritage projects).
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Analyse a complex body of material, which may be incomplete, breaking it down into component points or parts and highlighting the most significant among them.
B2: Synthesise evidence, arguments, or ideas from different sources productively in a self-directed manner.
B3: Reason critically and offer judgments based on argument that can be communicated effectively to a specialist or non-specialist audience.
B4: Think independently and with an open mind, sometimes making connections between familiar and new ideas or material.
B5: The ability to plan and conduct a substantial research project with guidance from a supervisor and to present it in a coherent manner.
Learning methods
B1-B4 are practised in module seminars, either in responding to or giving presentations on agreed topics. The seminar work encourages critical discussion from the analysis or interpretation of heritage, exhibitions, and other visual artefacts with an emphasis on being able to reason cogently, argue coherently, present one’s own viewpoint persuasively, and learn from others. Skill B5 is fostered in particular through the dissertation plan and execution.
Learning methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety (lectures, discussion, close reading, training in visual analysis and critical thinking); this allows students with different learning styles to achieve the learning outcomes.
Assessment methods
The seminars are intended as practice sessions for cognitive skills. Students translate the B1-B4 are assessed through essays and other coursework. B7 is assessed through the dissertation.
Assessment methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety; students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in diverse ways (essay-writing, presentations, creating virtual exhibitions, heritage projects).
C: Practical skills
C1: The ability to identify, select, and retrieve a wide range of relevant source material.
C2: The ability to design, use and reflect on various research/study techniques.
C3: The ability to compose extended bibliographies, using relevant reference systems according to established conventions.
C4: The ability to identify, select and retrieve a range of primary source material, and/or relevant theoretical and methodological materials.
C5: The ability to plan, manage, and complete a substantial work of independent study.
Learning methods
Skills C1-C4 are developed through seminar discussion, research for essays and other written work, and through feedback and discussions with module tutors. Skills C1-C5 are developed through the dissertation.
Learning methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety (lectures, discussion, close reading, training in visual analysis and critical thinking); this allows students with different learning styles to achieve the learning outcomes.
Assessment methods
Skills C1-C5 are assessed through essays and other coursework, as well as the dissertation.
Assessment methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety; students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in diverse ways (essay-writing, presentations, creating virtual exhibitions, heritage projects).
D: Key skills
D1: The ability to communicate information, arguments and ideas cogently and effectively in a range of different contexts using a range of different aids or resources; special ability to deploy visual material in a variety of media in the context of presentations or written work.
D2: Students should be able to make use of IT for research purposes (including searchable databases such as library catalogues and internet sources), to present assessed work, and be able to use email.
D3: Ability to identify problems and apply relevant research methodologies and techniques of writing to resolve them.
D4: A keen awareness of the need to reflect on their own work and to respond constructively to the comments of others.
D5: Students should have the ability to: work to briefs and deadlines; take responsibility for their own work; reflect on their own learning and performance and make constructive use of feedback
Learning methods
Key skills D1-D6 are acquired through seminars and tutorials where students debate both disciplinary and interdisciplinary issues and problems, as well as through the dissertation. Students are expected to acquire IT skills independently based on some initial guidance. Students will be given the opportunity to work constructively and productively in groups, and be able to participate effectively in seminars.
Learning methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety (lectures, discussion, close reading, training in visual analysis and critical thinking); this allows students with different learning styles to achieve the learning outcomes.
Assessment methods
Key skills D1-D6 are assessed throughout the degree through continuous assessed coursework. The MA dissertation is an overall assessment of all skills, namely communication, research management, problem solving skills and improving learning and performance.
Assessment methods are inclusive by virtue of their variety; students have an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in diverse ways (essay-writing, presentations, creating virtual exhibitions, heritage projects).