Museums and Heritage studies are crucial in understanding how the objects, sites and memories of past events and cultures are discovered, shared and preserved. You will study Museums and Heritage in theory and practice, investigating the qualities of artefacts, sites and cultural traditions, alongside debates that shape our relationship with the past and its future potential. We will explore the formation of cultural heritage, to understand how past social and political forces shape its survival and preservation and analyse how worldwide excavation and collecting still challenge modern museum collections.

The discovery, uses and interpretations of the past still respond to socio-political and economic needs, in local national and world heritage contexts. This course engages with academic specialists and professional practitioners, and examines case studies from Prehistory, Roman and Medieval sites to historic houses and modern museum collections, through the rich, beautiful and sometimes challenging heritage sites and collections of Chester, Shropshire, and nearby spectacular urban and rural landscapes in the Northwest, Midlands and Wales.

You will engage imaginatively with objects and sites alongside theories and principles governing heritage management best practices, informed by sector leaders (Museums Association, Collections Trust), becoming familiar with the roles of independents, civic organisations and major heritage agencies, including Historic England, Cadw National Trust and UNESCO. You will develop skills in museums and heritage practice, applying these critically through artefact and archival studies, collections care, audience and site research and interpretation. Developing advanced research techniques to better analyse the survival and care of objects, buildings and archaeological sites, you will develop skills in enhancing public engagement, interpretation and understanding, with opportunities to develop digital and practical skills, contributing to heritage in the future.

Our Professional Project module enables you to shape and pursue an independent research project or placement of your choice, or to work directly with varied academic staff and professional organisations from museums, heritage or archaeology in group research projects or placements, making it highly suitable for specialised or desk-based researchers, CPD, entrepreneurship or practice across the museums and heritage sector. This rich course prepares your skills for diverse careers in the British Heritage sector, or for advanced further study in global contexts.