Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) (102878H)

The Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) allows students to specialise in the areas they want to take their career. They’ll develop the knowledge, research skills and practical experience to make a difference in the way communities engage with the past. 

Cultural heritage and museum studies has been taught at Deakin University  for over 40-years, making it the largest and longest running program of its kind in Australia. All units are developed and taught by leading academics with industry experience.

Whether students want to create exhibitions, manage a museum or heritage site, safeguard Indigenous cultural heritage or protect and interpret significant objects, buildings, sites and landscapes, they’ll have the ability to tailor their studies to these disciplines throughout their masters degree.

During their studies, students will explore traditions and living examples of culture, and focus on current social, environmental and political concerns.

The core units of study are built around these themes and include:

Students will also choose up to four elective units based on their interests and use them to form a specialisation in Collections and Curatorship or Heritage Practice. A specialisation isn’t compulsory but can signal to potential employers the type of career they want and their professional interests.

Work-integrated learning is featured throughout the masters, including the Applied Heritage Project unit, which offers a week-long study intensive at sites like the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site in Tasmania. Students can also choose to complete an internship unit where they will undertake a professional work placement with a host organisation in Australia or overseas. This experience will help students develop the skills they need, whether they’re changing or progressing their career, gain industry knowledge, and extend their professional network.

Deakin additionally partners with Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) in Cottbus–Senftenberg, Germany, to deliver a world-class dual award program. This competitive entry dual award is open for selected Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) students, opening up overseas study opportunities and valuable professional experience. Dual award students graduate with BTU’s Master of World Heritage alongside Deakin masters, highlighting the global reputation of their studies to future employers.