About Heritage

Heritage is an interdisciplinary area that depends heavily on approaches from various disciplines such as anthropology, archaeology, architecture, history, sociology, and psychology. The curriculum of Heritage studies looks at the meaning of national symbols, ceremonies, and rituals, as well as heritage places, at the local, national, regional, continental, and global level. Heritage education makes a significant contribution to civic consciousness and a sense of place. The heritage sector's role in defining local identity and sustaining a feeling of the place is crucial. Historical sites provide glimpses into the past while enhancing our feelings of rootedness and belonging.

　　

Is Heritage right for me?

Heritage studies provide you with a wide perspective of how traditions influence the present. You will develop the knowledge and abilities needed to understand cultural influences in places as disparate as communities, politics, literature, and art through these programmes. You need to be highly motivated, deeply interested in and intrigued by history. If you've have always wondered at monuments and relics of the past, then Heritage studies might be the right fit for you.

　　

Heritage study options and costs

　　To pursue Heritage studies you will either opt for a bachelor’s or a master’s degree programme. The cost and your study options will depend on the course and specialisation you choose. For example, heritage management requires a bachelor's degree in the arts or sciences with a major in cultural heritage studies, history, indigenous studies, anthropology, or archaeology from a university. Obtaining a high school diploma is the minimum requirement to enroll in these courses. In most cases, prerequisite topics or presumed expertise in English and mathematics are required. Various universities have different criteria, and some provide flexible admittance requirements or external study opportunities. For further information, contact the institutions you're interested in.

　　A master's in heritage studies can be pursued by students with a background in anthropology, archaeology, history, historic preservation, landscape architecture, or other relevant subjects. Students with experience in public interpretation, museum work, or field and/or laboratory work are also encouraged to apply. Moreover, gaining appropriate experience in the heritage sector — museums, art galleries, historic structures, and restoration — is essential. Volunteering is the most common way; however, there are also paid seasonal positions available.

　　To give an estimate of the cost of heritage studies, master's in heritage management on average costs 19,350 per year in the US.

　　

Future outlook

People with a background in Heritage or related fields have a multitude of career pathways to choose from. They can pursue careers as conservators, archivists, curators, managers, muesuem directors, researchers, professors, and historians. The projected growth in employment opportunities for archivists, curators and museum workers is a whopping 19%, this decade. This equates to about 49,000 expected job openings for these professions. Museum technicians and conservators are likely to be in high demand due to public interest in science, art, history, and technology.

　　

Career pathways for Heritage graduates

　　

Museum/Heritage Curator

　　Curators are specialists in relics and items of cultural heritage significance. They purchase, investigate, exhibit, and write about the artefacts under their care. They generally have a relevant academic background, and many job postings for curators demand postgraduate education. At larger organisations, assistant curators or researchers are frequently found in support roles. Graduates from a variety of backgrounds are eligible for positions, with a solid honours degree serving as the minimum academic prerequisite. A postgraduate degree is frequently required.

　　

Education officer (Heritage)

　　Education/Outreach Officers serve as a liaison between artistic organisations and the general population. Preparation and delivery of programmes, activities, and resources for schools and other visitors are among their responsibilities. Many will have a history in education or community service, and education positions frequently state that applicants with qualified teacher status or a comparable academic specialisation are preferred.

　　

Archivist

　　Archivists are in charge of managing, processing, storing, and disseminating material from an organisation's archives. Their primary responsibilities include researching, acquiring and storing textual materials, photos, maps, architectural documents, electronic materials, films and videos, as well as sound recordings and multimedia elements.