About this course

Explore the many facets of cultural heritage from built environments and archaeological records to the heritage of art, film and literature. You’ll graduate from this MA with the expertise for a successful career in the heritage and tourism sector, or for further study at PhD level.

This specialism (Heritage and Public History) has a particular focus on the differences between academic and public history. It explores how history is communicated to a non-academic audience by various institutions.

Optional modules will give you the opportunity to explore themes in History or other heritage related subjects.

You'll gain essential experience through things like:

field trips
meeting industry practitioners
the chance to apply for a work placement with one of our heritage partners.

You'll have the opportunity to:

develop specific research and practical skills relevant to cultural heritage
develop a critical awareness of the potential and limitations of key forms of evidence and approaches prepare for further research and/or professional practice
gain the ability to apply detailed theoretical, ethical and legislative frameworks, knowledge and methodologies to an understanding of heritage
develop a comprehensive understanding of a range of general approaches to heritage
apply all the above skills and approaches to your chosen specialism;

Our Cultural Heritage programmes are also available with the following pathways:

Cultural Heritage: study the main issues and debates around the subject, including legal and ethical issues, and how heritage is managed and presented
Heritage and Museums: gain a behind-the-scenes insight into how museums communicate the past
Heritage and the Arts: develop specialist practical skills in communicating in different genres and platforms in publishing, broadcasting, heritage management, and arts curation

Whilst the course content varies depending on the pathway you study, modules covering essential aspects of the subject are common to all pathways.

There is also plenty of flexibility within the pathways themselves, allowing you to build the skillset that best suits your chosen career path.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Alistair Pike, Professor of Archaeological Sciences. His research interests cover several areas archaeological science, from the development of dating methods for bone beyond the range of radiocarbon to the use of isotopes in the reconstruction of human lifeways. Read Professor Pike’s staff profile to find out more about his work.

Course location

This course is based at Avenue.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 degree in a subject which includes assessed written academic work.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

On this full-time master’s course you'll study for a full 12 months.

For the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of the course.

This is made up of modules that everyone on your pathway takes and modules that we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options. Some of your compulsory modules will be common to all of the pathways, ensuring that you gain a general overview of the subject in addition to your specialist skills.

You’ll spend the last 3 months of the course working independently on your dissertation or professional project.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules :

Archaeology in the Contemporary World

The remit of Archaeology remains to understand the human past through material traces and to comprehend how the pasts we create are structured by, and structure, contemporary social values. But the way Archaeology is practised is increasingly varied, draw...

Dissertation or Professional Project

Students on this module can take one of two pathways: completing a dissertation or a professional project. The dissertation is a personal research project of up to 20,000 words on a topic approved by their supervisor. It takes place over the summer period...

Global Cultural Heritage

This module takes a global perspective and deals with the many varieties of cultural heritage from the tangible built environment to intangible heritage represented by a society’s traditional knowledge and customs. It will explore the reasons we do, or sh...

Maritime Museums and Heritage Management

As maritime archaeology becomes an increasingly mainstream part of the discipline of archaeology, public awareness of the importance of protecting, managing and disseminating maritime cultural heritage assumes a heightened importance. At the same time, cl...

Public History

In this core module, students engage with public history as it is currently practised across the heritage and education sectors. The module considers the roles of museums and other heritage sites within society, and the challenges associated with producin...

You must also choose from the following modules :

Approaches to Shakespeare, Past and Present

This module approaches Shakespeare from a number of perspectives. It thinks about Shakespeare now: how his plays continue to be performed and adapted, on stage and for the screen, in the UK and abroad, and about how Shakespeare is continually being reinve...

Communicating the Cultural Industries

Cultural Heritage within Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process required in many countries to predict the consequences of proposed projects (e.g. construction) or policies (e.g. ground water management). This includes assessing the impact on cultural heritage assets. ...

GIS for Archaeology

This module aims to acquaint you with Geographic Information Systems including their use for mapping and analysing archaeological sites and landscapes, and to explain the broader context of their application to a range of archaeological research and manag...

Maritime Aspects of Culture

This module will introduce you to the key theoretical and technical concepts used in maritime archaeology, along with its evidence base. It has been designed to provide an accelerated learning curve for those who are new to the subject area, developing c...

Memory in National and Transnational Contexts

Whether in the form of monuments, stories or rituals a desire to remember seems to be everywhere in most if not all contemporary nation states. In some respect this has been fuelled by the continually evolving international situation, which has posed a se...

Museums in the Modern World

This module examines the past, present and future of museum and heritage communication. It will explore the ever-changing purposes and practices espoused by and employed by heritage bodies, particularly museums, with a primary but not exclusive focus on U...

Narrative, Place, Identity

This module investigates how cultural narratives have been produced, disseminated and consumed across national boundaries since the mid-twentieth century. Through examination of a range of narrative forms, including fiction, essay, memoir, film and photog...

Nation, Culture, Power

This module offers an in-depth exploration of three concepts that have shaped the modern world: nation, culture, and power. Drawing on staff expertise in cultural and critical theory, the module will investigate the key questions that worldwide thinkers a...

Professional Placement in the Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Sector

A key component of higher archaeological practice is the development of archaeological vocational skills, and the application of what is learnt at university in the working environment. The archaeological methods and skills taught at university have diver...

Professional Practice

This module is designed to equip students with the essential core skills to engage with higher-level archaeological practice within the UK and overseas. By this, we refer to activities beyond routine fieldwork procedures such as survey and excavation. The...

The Publishing World

This module will introduce you to how books are published, printed and brought to market, and to key issues relating to the regulation of print and digital media. We will focus on publishing books in the United Kingdom, but will make useful comparisons wi...

Themes in the Ancient World

Ancient history covers a vast geographical and chronological span, from Ancient Egypt to Classical Greece, from Rome to Imperial China, and from the Mediterranean into Europe, Africa, and the Near East. This module allows you to explore your interest in t...

Learning and assessment

Learning

The learning activities for this course include:

lectures
seminars
field trips
project work
group work
independent learning (studying on your own)

Assessment

We’ll assess you through:

essays
laboratory and field activities
presentations
a dissertation or professional project

Dissertation

You'll complete either a 20,000-word dissertation or a professional project, such as an exhibition, catalogue, professional report or a guidebook, with a commentary of 5,000 to 15,000 words.

This is a chance for you to develop your research skills and show in-depth knowledge of your chosen topic.

You’ll work closely with your supervisor to agree your subject, and will have regular support meetings throughout the process.

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £25,400.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

40 scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
Search for the course you want to apply for.
Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

UK students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

International students

The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

your knowledge of the subject area
why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
how you intend to use your qualification

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Cultural Heritage Studies (Heritage and Public History) (MA) is a course in the Archaeology subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

a

MSc

Archaeology

MSc

Archaeology Bioarchaeology

MSc

Archaeology Palaeoanthropology

b

MSc

Business and Heritage Management

c

MA