The MA in Heritage Management is designed to create future heritage sector leaders with the ability to address the managerial, intellectual, cultural, social and technical challenges of maintaining cultural heritage sites.
The course combines business and leadership studies with integrated work experience placements with Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), allowing students to learn from leading thinkers and practitioners in the heritage sector.
This course can be studied full-time or part-time.
- Take part in work placements with Historic Royal Palaces, responsible for world-leading historical sites including the Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Banqueting House.
- Develop expertise in key areas such as acquisition, conservation, collection care and curatorial work.
- Take advantage of networking opportunities through close partnerships with industry experts and alumni working in heritage and culture.
Study options
- Starting in
- September 2025
- Location
- Mile End
- Fees
- Home: £12,850
Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
What you'll study
The Heritage Management MA aims to provide students with an advanced-level understanding of the theory and practice of heritage management. You will study the principles that provide the basis for successful heritage management, including governance and legislation, operational models, strategic planning and delivery, management theory, resource management and income generation.
You will build knowledge and understanding of the principle drivers of change and opportunities for innovation in the cultural heritage sector, particularly those that support widening access to heritage.
You will have the opportunity to select optional modules from schools within Humanities and Social Sciences, to hone in on your areas of interest.
As part of the course, you will have the opportunity to undertake work placements across disciplines including:
- curatorial work
- marketing
- conservation and collection care
- public engagement
- finance.
Additional costs
Please note: students will need to cover return travel to Hampton Court Palace once a week during semester.
Structure
- Four compulsory modules.
- Three elective modules.
- Compulsory dissertation.
- Core professional practice modules.
Compulsory/Core modules
This module will provide the theoretical basis for understanding heritage from a range of cross-disciplinary perspectives. It will address the relationships between heritage, history, and memory in theory and practice, exploring heritage on personal and collective scales, the politics of heritage, and the materiality of heritage sites and objects alongside intangible heritage in the form of testimony and stories. The module will explore the ways in which different understandings of heritage inform practice in the heritage sector, from community archives and heritage projects to museums, historic-houses, and palaces.
Academic rigour and applied professional theory introduces students to the actual practice of heritage management at historically renowned sites and coordinated by Historic Royal Palace's Programme Director with masterclass sessions by other specialists from within HRP. Possible visits to heritage organisations are planned. A combination of classroom-based discussion from readings, site visits and Masterclasses with HRP staff will take a `critical practice¿ approach connecting QMUL compulsory module themes to HRP case studies.
HRP placement students experience four key areas of heritage management practice learning professional skills, knowledge and essential experience through engagement with sector leaders. Critical skills applied to practice areas showcases their own professional capabilities by forming networks. Students have the opportunity to present lessons learnt to professionals and academics, thus promoting career planning and employability.
This module consists of professional development seminars within the theme of creative industries and cultural sector leadership. The seminars, delivered by diverse professionals and practitioners from these sectors, will provide students with professional skills and networking opportunities within different industries and will inspire new thinking and develop practical behaviour changes. The seminar series is also designed to bring together students on the CIAO and Heritage Management MAs, and to encourage both cohorts to cross-fertilise knowledge and understanding of sector leadership.
This important module requires a demonstration of ability to carry out an original investigation into an issue of interest relevant to the content of the MA Heritage Management. The process should reflect skills of formulating research questions, synthesising/analysing data, drawing insights and conclusions, and written communication. Students are guided through the dissertation process by one or more supervisor/s (including HRP academics). To prepare them for the dissertation, students are required to take the compulsory Research Design & Methods module (GEG7135).
The purpose of the module is to provide master's level research training in human geography and related social science disciplines. The module therefore covers core understandings of key concepts and approaches to human geography and social sciences research; subject specific research and transferable skills; and qualitative and quantitative, subject specific methodological and presentation techniques. This module will equip students with the skills necessary to independently design and implement an extended piece of primary dissertation research.
Elective modules
This module will provide an in-depth understanding of the broad range of theory, research, and practice in organisational behaviour for the adoption of appropriate policies and leadership styles. This will include understanding individual differences, motivational factors, and group dynamics which can mediate the functioning of an organisation. The module will analyse a range of case studies to illuminate the different work patterns, practices and behaviours both at individual, group and organisational levels.
This module will investigate and discuss leading change in organisations from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Marrying theory and practice will allow students to critically reflect on organisational change processes through both a scientific and practical lens and to apply their knowledge directly to real world cases and practices. Understanding different perspectives, practices and challenges of leading change will also contribute to students' employability and their personal development. More specifically, how they can become both an effective and a responsible future contributor to organisational change.
The module will focus on project management techniques, methodologies, theories appropriate to projects that deliver complex outcomes in a context of high uncertainty on the desired result. The module will also provide team and teaming management principles and practices needed to obtain the desired project management results within time, budget and quality. Students will be encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to earn an accreditation for project management and the course will prepare students for this additional examination.
This module will investigate leadership in the social and public sectors from theoretical and practical perspectives. The module explores established and new paradigms of leadership at all levels in social and public organisations, characterised by their tendency to operate in politically- and/or resource-constrained environments. Students will reflect critically on relevant research, and apply their insights to real social and/or public organisational cases. The process of understanding and challenging leadership practises will also contribute to students' employability and personal development.
This module focuses on the theory and practise of funding and financing in the creative and cultural sector ( including the heritage sector). The module will give students a grounding in the landscape of funding and financing streams as well as technical aspects of understanding the organisational and legal frameworks that exist in the creative and cultural sector.
This module examines the relationship between the cultural and creative industries and the environment from a range of perspectives and in a number of contexts. It addresses the environmental impacts of cultural production, as well as the opportunities for more socially just and environmentally sustainable arts and cultural ecologies.
This module provides an overview of Ethnography of Communication, a theoretical and methodological approach to analyzing and understanding communicative patterns and language use in social and cultural contexts. The focus on primary literature includes the seminal figures who established the approach (e.g., Hymes, Gumperz), developed the framework (Baumann, Briggs, Ervin-Tripp, Philipps), and who continue to advance it today (Duranti, Goodwin, Hill, Rampton). Applying ethnographic insights and methodologies to fieldwork activities and projects in the local community will instill understanding of the broad range of practices that constitute doing ethnography as well as illustrate the points raised in the literature.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and written examinations.
Dissertation
Dissertation in Heritage Management.
—"I enjoyed how the course provided a mixture of theory and practice, as this gave me the chance to learn about the museum and heritage sector from an academic perspective, but also to see the reality of how the industry operates. I was exposed to all of the different aspects that make up a heritage organisation, from marketing and operations to collections management and curatorial."
Aisha Tahir, Heritage Assistant at Brent Museum and Archives (Heritage Management MA 2020)
Teaching
Our interdisciplinary approach ensures a fully rounded business education, and includes lectures led by experienced academics and interaction with Queen Mary’s independent Virtual Learning Environment, QMplus.
You will gain invaluable insight from guest speakers and develop communication skills through interactive seminars, presentations and lively group discussions with your peers.
You will take an active role in your own learning by reading designated material, producing written assignments and completing projects.
We invest in both your educational and personal development, and you will be assigned an Academic Advisor to support you throughout your time at Queen Mary.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- Access to significant historical sites, including the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace.
- ThinkPod interactive collaboration space with presentation, recording and video conferencing facilities.
- Access to the Graduate Centre's postgraduate common room and rooftop terrace.
- 24-hour library on campus.
About the School
School of Business and Management
The School of Business and Management has a reputation as a socially engaged management school, with an innovative, multidisciplinary, mindful and responsible approach. We invite our students to ask incisive questions, to challenge their assumptions, and to search for solutions to real-world challenges.
We ensure students experience innovative and engaging educational pathways, alongside supportive staff and excellent research facilities.
The School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), which ensures that the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success are met.
In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), the School of Business and Management dramatically moved up the Times Higher Education rankings. Among 108 UK business schools, the School now ranks:
- 22nd for overall research quality (up from 39th in REF2014)
- 28th for research outputs (up from 34th)
- 12th for research impact (up from 24th)
- 21st for research environment (up from 59th)
Queen Mary is also part of the Russell Group - a body of leading UK universities dedicated to research and teaching excellence.
Career paths
Graduates of this course will be well-placed to pursue careers in the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
Heritage Management MA alumni have gone on to work in communications, volunteer coordination, business development and public engagement positions in a range of museums, historic organisations and charities.
—"The collaborative modules with Historic Royal Palaces make this course unique in a competitive sector. I found the masterclasses with industry professionals and leaders particularly valuable. Their tips and expertise helped me narrow down my own plans for career progression in the industry. I love my current job at the National Trust and my long-term ambition of becoming a museum curator is a vocation which I am now actively working towards. I now feel confident enough to lead my own exhibition projects and to continue to establish myself as a fully-fledged heritage professional."
George Smith, Collections Assistant at the National Trust (Heritage Management MA 2021)
Fees and funding
Full-time study
September 2025 | 1 year
- Home: £12,850
- Overseas: £25,500
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Part-time study
September 2025 | 2 years
- Home: £6,450
- Overseas: £12,750
EU/EEA/Swiss students
Conditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
- Scholarships and bursaries
- Postgraduate loans (UK students)
- Country-specific scholarships for international students
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money:
- Advice for UK and EU students
- Advice for international students
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:1 or above at undergraduate level in any subject.
Other routes
Candidates that do not currently meet the set entry requirements may also have the option to study the Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences. Meeting the required grades on completion of this programme will provide a pathway to study MA Heritage Management.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught in the School of Business and Management falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.