MSc in Digital Heritage

Course director: Dr Sara Perry

 

Overview

The MSc in Digital Heritage was introduced in 2010 in response to the growing area of digital heritage practices.  It aims to train professionals who wish to work in digital archiving, museum and education/display and curation. It draws on existing strengths in Archaeological Information Sciences and Cultural Heritage Management.

The course also draws on the skills and expertise of staff of the Archaeology Data Service, which has been the UK digital archive for heritage data since 1997. It also has strong links with museums and other cultural heritage institutions in York, and work placements are a key feature of the programme.

Staff

Staff involved with MSc teaching are listed below, with their current research interests: .

Facilities

Excellent research computing facilities are available within the Department of Archaeology, including a well-equipped spatial computing laboratory, with plotters, digitisers and scanners.

The Archaeology Data Service and the e-journal Internet Archaeology are both hosted in the Department of Archaeology. The Department also has good links with other cultural heritage organisations based in York, including the Council for British Archaeology, the York Museums Trust, the York Archaeological Trust, and the northern offices of English Heritage.

There are also a wide range of facilities available for all students taking an Archaeology Masters programme:

  • Dedicated IT suite with a full range of software including generic and specialist archaeological packages and computing support from two highly experienced experimental officers
  • A comprehensive range of state-of-the-art field survey equipment which postgraduates can normally use for their project work (and can gain experience with via the skills modules we offer)
  • A wide range of lab facilities for archaeological analysis including environmental and artefact processing as well as the bioarchaeological facilities on campus
  • A well stocked library with access to electronic resources, and study areas both in the Kings Manor library and the library on campus
  • The Kings Manor includes a common room and refectory open to all staff and students, and WiFi is available across the Kings Manor

Structure

Structure

Over the autumn and spring terms you will take:

  • four core 20 credit modules  
  • four 5 credit skills modules
  • one 20 credit optional placement module

In the summer you will carry out research for your dissertation and give an Assessed Lecture on your dissertation topic.

Core modules

Recommended skills modules

Whilst we endeavour to give everyone their first choice on modules, please note that this cannot always be guaranteed. Please be aware that certain skills modules are required by particular programmes, and so may be more over-subscribed than others.  Please see the Full modules list for scheduling information on option and skills modules, as some run concurrently.

Work experience placement

Entry

You will need:

A good honours degree (upper second or first) or an equivalent qualification from an overseas institution in archaeology, history, art history, museum studies, education, anthropology, cultural studies or a related field. Other applicants may be considered in exceptional circumstances, for example those with considerable ICT experience. All applicants will be expected to provide evidence of some basic familiarity with a range of ICT applications and an aptitude for computer-based skills. Most applicants are interviewed, unless living or working overseas. For foreign language speakers, level 6.5 IELTS/100 TOEFL in required.

Apply now

First, check our How to apply page, which explains what information the Department needs from you.

Careers

Graduates will be well equipped to work in an IT capacity within heritage management or presentation, in museums or inside other heritage organisations.

When you complete the course you will be able: 

  • to plan, design and undertake a piece of independent research within the field of digital heritage;
  • to evaluate critically the claims made for different computer applications and select the correct application for a given problem;
  • to locate and use relevant information on Internet and create materials to add to it;
  • to create an electronic text;
  • to design and implement a simple relational database;
  • to create effective applications in CAD and VR;
  • to evaluate the cultural significance of sites, places and artefacts;
  • to recognise areas of potential conflict in heritage management and museum practice;
  • to evaluate the implications of stakeholder values and interests for heritage management and heritage interpretation/education;
  • to appraise the utility of interpretative and educational media both on site and in museums.
 
Aleks Render