International Cultural Heritage Management

The course is delivered through a mixture of lectures, seminars, webinars, tutorials and workshops. You will also be able to take part in visits and field trips, including Durham’s own World Heritage Site, and be offered professional placements when you can apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the taught environment.

Lectures provide the core skills and knowledge by introducing you to key concepts, methodologies and analytical approaches, delivered in a mix of traditional podium-based events and a more interactive seminar-style discussion.

We use webinars to introduce you to specific heritage sites and issues around the world, including real-time debates with international professionals by video link followed by seminar discussions. 

Tutorials provide a forum for discussion either on a one-to-one basis or in small groups that support the work taking place in lectures and workshops.

Assessment

While the majority of the course is assessed by essays, a number of modules include assessment by critical reflection, a poster debate, portfolio work and practice logs. If you choose the Communicating Cultural Heritage option module you will plan content for a 5-page website, a blog and presentation.

One-third of your final mark is gained through completion of either a 10,000-word professional practice project or dissertation depending on the route you choose through the course.

We will consider how you have applied learning and developed your skills and knowledge in working effectively with theoretical models, literature and data. Modules include a combination of formative assessment conducted during the learning process, as well as the final summative assessment.

We normally require an Honours Degree, usually at the 2:1 level or higher or an international equivalent, such as a GPA of 3.3 or above. The course is taught assuming no prior knowledge, but an ability to demonstrate previous interest or experience of cultural heritage would be an advantage. Students should be willing to prepare a cultural heritage case study to bring with them.

IELTS 7.0 or above with no component below 6.5; TOEFL IBT (Internet Based Test) 102 or above (with no component below 25).

Application deadlines

There is no specific deadline for applications although applications for any given academic year must be received before the start of that academic year (i.e. applications for the 2023-24 academic year must be received before October 2023).

Tuition fee deposit

All self-financing overseas students are required to pay a £1000 tuition fee deposit if an offer from the Department of Archaeology is accepted. The tuition fee deposit is paid before the University issues a Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) number, which is required in order to apply for a visa. £500 deposit is also payable by Home/EU applicants if an offer of a place from the Department of Archaeology is accepted.

English language requirements

The tuition fees for 2024/25 academic year have not yet been finalised, they will be displayed here once approved.

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Many of our postgraduates move into an academic career, either teaching or by taking up post-doctoral research positions in universities. Others join museums or national and regional heritage organisations. Some work in professional archaeology, in national or local planning departments, while others elect to use their analytical and presentation skills to gain positions in industry, commerce and government.

The Department of Archaeology is home to one of the largest postgraduate communities in Europe who benefit from world class academic teaching and leading-edge facilities to be able to pursue their passion for studying the past, interpreting the present and understanding the future.

The wide-ranging courses are research-led and delivered by staff who are recognised experts in specialisms that span world, European and British archaeology from the last ice age to the post-medieval period.

Our taught courses provide the ideal grounding for further academic research at a higher level but also offer essential preparation for entering a professional career.

They include MA Museum and Artefact Studies, MA International Cultural Heritage Management, and MA Conservation of Archaeological and Museum Objects, all of which have strong vocational themes. The MSc Bioarchaeology and MA Archaeology offer ideal preparation for research careers and specialisation and our unique MSc Human Bioarchaeology and Palaeopathology and MSc Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology are ideal for postgraduates nurturing both academic and professional aspirations.

We welcome applications from researchers seeking MRes and PhD qualifications tailored to specific interests, and we offer strong developmental support.

With our expertise in a wide range of archaeological disciplines and significant research activity across the globe, our aim is to create a top-class learning environment that is vibrant and supportive and enables you to make a difference in your chosen field.

For more information see our department pages.

Rankings

• 10th in the QS World University Subject Rankings for Archaeology 2023
• 1st in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
• 3rd in The Complete University Guide 2024
• 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2024

 Staff

For a current list of staff, please see our Archaeology pages.

Research Excellence Framework

• 97% of our research outputs graded world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
•  2nd in the UK top ten for the overall quality of research (REF 2021)

Facilities

The Department of Archaeology has a reputation for excellence and connections across the world.

We are home to state-of-the-art laboratories, specialist technology and some of the best library resources in the UK. We have project rooms with interactive technology, teaching laboratories, a computer suite, a photographic studio and scientific research laboratories in DNA, conservation, isotopes, environmental archaeology, luminescence dating, palaeopathology and bone chemistry, many of which are used as learning resources for out postgraduate community.

Taught courses and researchers alike benefit from our status as co-owners of a UNESCO World Heritage site and the extensive range of library, museum and artefact collection resources on offer at Durham.

The Department of Archaeology can be found in the Dawson Building, which is ideally situated at the heart of the Durham city campus, next to the Bill Bryson Library and the Palatine Centre.

More information on our facilities and equipment.

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