Why study with us?
We're ranked 22nd in the world for Arts and Humanities in the 2020 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Our graduates are ranked 1st in Australia and 5th in the world for employability by the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019.
Develop a deep understanding of the core historical and theoretical developments in museum and heritage studies as well as knowledge of current practice and debates.
Learn the frameworks for managing collections and sites, and develop a practical understanding of the modes of interpretation adopted in the museum and heritage sector. Gain object and site research techniques, and learn how to conduct significance assessment, collection management and archival research and display, as well as contribute to heritage studies and conservation management plans.
Discover how meaning is constructed in museums and at heritage sites through material objects, cultural practices, exhibits, education and public programs. Understand how the public engages and values museums and heritage, including sites of trauma, commemoration and memorialisation.
The program offers a rich multidisciplinary approach and has a close relationship with the University’s museum collections and curatorial staff.
We have strong academic and professional ties with major institutions in Australia, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Australian Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, and Sydney Living Museums.
Professional placements are a vital part of the master’s degree and graduate diploma, offering you authentic sector-based experience. Placements are project based and allow you to work under a supervisor in a host organisation.
To qualify for the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies you must complete 72 credit points, including:
Recognition of Prior Learning / credit for previous studies is available for this course, refer to Admission requirement below.
Under normal progression, a full-time student completes prescribed units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester. Part-time students may undertake prescribed units of study up to the value of 12 credit points per semester. You are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for your units of study.
The Master’s degree offers a choice of professional and research tracks through its capstone options:
Internship placements are project-based and allow you to work under a supervisor in a host organization. The placements are actively supported by the program and require academic work that allows for the development of a clear sense of the relationship between theory and practice.
In the dissertation pathway, you are encouraged to identify a research question that contributes to or extends existing knowledge in the field, develop an appropriate research design to address the chosen question and write a scholarly account of the results arising from the project.
Entry in the 1 year or 1.5 year degree program is determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) criteria below:
Admission to candidature for the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies (1.5 years full-time) requires:
Admission to candidature for the Master of Museum & Heritage Studies (1 year full-time) requires:
If you do not meet the requirements listed above for direct entry to the Master’s degree, you may be able to enter via a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in the same subject area and upgrade to the Master’s after successful completion of the shorter course.
This unique course will offer graduates opportunities to pursue a career in museum education, public programs administration, collection management, heritage site interpretation, community organisations, protected area management agencies, Indigenous land councils, and across the cultural sector in policy and planning. Employers value our graduates because they demonstrate personal and intellectual autonomy, abide by strong professional and ethical values and are able to engage with current debates about the place of humanities in public life.
Graduates of the program will have developed the knowledge base and skills necessary for modern museum and heritage practice and research by investigating the theory and history of tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage and the collecting of cultural and natural objects, methods of display and interpretation within the evolving nature of the museum as a concept and as an organization. They will also have experienced meaningful professional practice within the museum and heritage sector, which is increasingly becoming a pre-requisite for a career in these highly competitive areas.
Professional skills gained by graduates include:
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
