MSc Heritage Interpretation MSc
Course code: N83I
Study mode: You study most days of the week and complete all course units /modules in the standard time., You take fewer course units/modules per week compared to full time., You take one or more course unit/module(s) at a time.
Course type: MSc
International: Available to study online
Study at: Perth; Argyll; Inverness; Moray; North, West and Hebrides; Orkney; Shetland; North, West and Hebrides
Start in: January; September
Learning mode: You access classes and/or materials digitally.
Duration: Full time: 18 months; Part time: 3 years; Part time modular: 12 weeks
How: You complete course tasks independently. These may be set by your lecturer or chosen by you.
What is special about this course?
Do you want to create unforgettable visitor experiences that bring heritage learning to life in creative and engaging ways?
Explore how heritage interpretation helps people understand the significance of places and resources in meaningful ways. Work across a wide range of activities, from guided walks to large-scale exhibitions, creating successful visitor experiences that support communities, organisations and local economies.
Learn alongside experienced tourism and heritage professionals and academics, supported by practitioners involved in innovative heritage and environmental projects worldwide. Engage with online lectures, practitioner interviews, presentations, industry case studies, e-books and academic articles, alongside regular discussions with tutors and fellow students.
Apply knowledge and skills through varied assessments, including industry-focused plans and reports, using real-world scenarios to strengthen professional practice. Develop the expertise and confidence needed to become an inspiring and effective interpretation professional through employer-informed modules and engagement with live projects, and make your way confidently in this multi-faceted field.
Special features
A unique, industry-informed masters course in heritage interpretation and tourism
Taught by highly experienced professionals and academics
Learn how to plan, manage and deliver heritage interpretation and tourism projects and apply your newly acquired skills to your areas of expertise and interest
Delivered online through the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), so you can study wherever you are in the world
Study full-time or part-time enabling you to fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments
Work towards the PgCert, PgDip or full master’s degree
CPD modules are also available
Entry requirements
- 2:2 honours degree or above
- Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis
Access routes
Access routes include:
You will study the following core modules:
- Interpretation media and design (S1)
- Managing and delivering projects (S2)
- Planning visitor experiences (S1)
You will study three option modules from a selection which may include:
- Cultural heritage management (S1)
- Engaging with heritage (S2)
- Out of decline - regenerative tourism (S1)
- Research methods and techniques (core for progression to the MSc) (S1)
- Selling cold islands (S2)
- Sustainable tourism (S2)
- Tourism futures - AI in tourism (S2)
- Understanding the visitor experience (S2)
- Winds of change - contemporary issues in tourism (S1)
To achieve the award of MSc you will also complete a dissertation (60 credits) (S1 and S2).
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Part-time modular (standalone modules)
- You will study fully online, with no scheduled sessions or tutorials
- Recorded lectures are accessed as part of the online materials
- Some subjects may offer optional tutorials
- Online study will be done via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors
- You will take part in a mandatory online induction in semester 1 or 2
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 18 months @ 36 hours per week
- Part-time: 3 years @ 12-24 hours per week
- Part-time modular: 12 weeks @ 12 hours per week (per module)
Number of hours per week indicates the total number of hours you should dedicate to the course, which includes time spent in online lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research. You should allocate approximately 12 hours per week to each 20-credit module.
- Perth
- This course is fully online and can be studied from anywhere in the world. You will be enrolled and receive support from tutors at UHI Perth
Start date
- September
- January
Fees
For information on costs of this course please contact the campus where you wish to study.
Funding
External scholarships and financial support may be available. Contact the relevant UHI partner college for more information.
Additional costs
Depending on your location, personal visits to local sites (e.g. to museums or heritage parks) as part of wider study activities may incur an entry fee.
What can I do on completion of my course?
On successful completion of the MSc Heritage Interpretation, you will leave with the inspiration, understanding and confidence to deliver projects and activities across the heritage, tourism, and cultural sectors. For example:
- Management positions in the public sector or non-governmental organisations
- Working in heritage and tourism management across the globe
- Working in rural landscapes and protected areas
- Working with community tourism projects or private sector tourism businesses
As well as considering new posts in the public, private or voluntary/third sector, this qualification can also lead to promotion in your existing employment, or self-employment.
Can I progress into further study?
The MSc Heritage Interpretation provides excellent preparation and training for further advanced study, including PhD, in many areas of heritage, environment, and tourism research.
Apply for MSc Heritage Interpretation MSc
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.