Curate heritage for a digital future
Year of entry: 2023 (September)
1 year full-time,
2 years part-time,
3 years part-time
September 2023 (semester dates)
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This course provides professional training in the growing fields of digital archiving, visualisation, museums and heritage sector curation, interpretation and education.
Digital practices are becoming increasingly important in the heritage sector. This course draws together the Department of Archaeology's strengths in archaeological information sciences and cultural heritage to provide a combination of theoretical and applied study of heritage management with practical training in new technologies.
You will be working with a team of technology pioneers and computing scholars who lead the field in researching and developing interpretative content and digital applications for the heritage sector worldwide. You'll have the opportunity for practical placement experience within the heritage sector, develop essential IT knowledge and skills, have access to a full suite of research computing hardware and software and receive tailored careers advice from staff with significant experience of recruiting within the sector.
This course is ideal for graduates of Archaeology, History, Art History, Museum Studies, Education, Anthropology, Cultural Studies and related fields, and for candidates with proven IT experience.
The Digital Heritage course allowed me to make connections with real innovators and forward thinkers in the industry, as well as gain essential IT skills that speak to employers.Flo, MSc Digital HeritageProject Administrator at L-P Archaeology
Informality is one of our distinctive qualities - the atmosphere in our department is friendly, supportive and enthusiastic. We want you to develop your potential and thrive at York.
With historic buildings and significant remains from the Roman, Viking and Medieval periods, York has an impressive concentration of archaeology.
You'll engage with critical analysis of digital technology as employed in the archaeology and heritage sectors combined with practical training, research and work placements that will prepare you use these technologies effectively in your career.
You'll explore how digital technologies are used to present and curate heritage information; gain experience of using the digital and internet technologies in disseminating, publishing and archiving heritage information; and develop your practical skills in 3D modelling, GIS, CAD and other heritage analysis and visualisation technologies.
You'll choose modules that enable you to delve into the areas of archaeology that most interest you. You'll also develop your research skills, before producing an 15-20,000 word dissertation and an assessed lecture on your dissertation topic.
You'll also study four option modules. In previous years, these have included:
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
You'll complete an 8,000-word dissertation, which will allow you to demonstrate your skills in research as well as applying insights from the taught modules. Under the guidance of one or more members of our academic staff you'll be able to develop independent research on a topic of your own choosing.
Examples of previous dissertation topics include:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £9,990 | £22,250 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£4,995 | £11,125 |
| Part-time (3 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£3,330 | £7,417 |
Students on a Student Visa (formerly Tier 4 Visa) are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
We don't anticipate there being any additional fees associated with this course. All books and resources you need will be available in the library or online and it isn't mandatory that you buy your own copies. You may wish to set aside a small budget for photocopying, depending on how you like to work.
Field trips are funded by the Department.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We have a variety of funding options available within the department.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, practicals, seminars and tutorials. In the Summer Term you will develop your research and presentation skills by producing a dissertation and giving an assessed lecture. You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience through a student placement in the professional heritage sector.
There are two dedicated computer labs at King’s Manor with a range of imaging software, including 3D Studio Max, AgiSoft Photoscan, ArcGIS, AutoCAD and the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
The Department has equipment available for student use including total stations, handheld and differential GPS, drones, GoPro cameras, magnetometers, ground penetrating radar, resistivity meters, video-ready DSLR cameras, microphones, an RTI dome and other photography kit.
The Department of Archaeology is based in King's Manor, in York city centre. The majority of your teaching will take place there within the Department, with a small amount taking place in Vanbrugh College on Campus West.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will be assessed through both essays and practical work including 3D models, websites, films and other forms of digital imaging. Some option modules assess oral presentations, museum exhibition strategies or other multimedia output. You will also complete a dissertation and assessed lecture based on your dissertation.
I have developed a variety of computer skills and learned the terminology and theory behind decisions made in cultural heritage management. I was able to use these new skills as they were immediately applied during my heritage placements at York City Council and the British Council for Archaeology.Jitka, MSc Digital Heritage
This course offers practical, careers-focused training for many essential roles in heritage-related organisations and other sectors. The digital knowledge you'll develop will leave you well prepared for a wide range of technology-focused careers in archaeology, the heritage sector and beyond.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:1 or equivalent. We also consider applicants who have a 2:2 degree and relevant work experience. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
You will need to submit examples of written work with your application. Please see our guidance on submitting written work.
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in all other components |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, minimum 176 in Writing and 169 in all other components |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 120 in production and 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B2 Communicator: Pass with 39/50 in writing and no less than 33/50 in all others |
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 61, minimum 61 in Writing and 55 in all other components |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum 23 in Writing and 21 in all other components |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
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