University of York

What you'll study

The programme combines theoretical study of how history is communicated with practical training in interpretation, exhibition-making, digital methods and community engagement. Core themes include the debates and ethics of public history, heritage policy, and the role of historical practice in contemporary society.

• Core modules typically cover the principles of public history and heritage practice, research methods for applied history, and professional skills such as project management and audience development.
• Practice modules often include curating exhibitions, oral history and community history, digital public history (digital storytelling, online exhibits, and social media for heritage), and interpretation and display.
• Optional modules allow you to pursue topics such as archives and record management, museums studies, landscape and material culture, or nineteenth- and twentieth-century thematic topics, depending on staff teaching and availability.
• Research project or dissertation — you complete a substantial piece of independent work, which can be a traditional dissertation or a public-facing project (for example a curated exhibition, public programme, digital project or community history initiative) supported by a written contextual component.
• Placements and collaboration — the course emphasises applied learning and frequently includes opportunities to work with local museums, archives, heritage sites and community organisations in York and the surrounding region.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a good honours degree (UK 2:1 or equivalent) in history or a closely related discipline. Candidates with a lower classification but with substantial relevant professional experience in museums, heritage, archives, education or community history will also be considered.

Because the programme combines academic and practical work, applicants may be asked to provide a short statement of purpose and, where appropriate, a portfolio of work (for example project reports, exhibition material, digital content or examples of public engagement). Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the Universitys standard English language requirements for postgraduate study.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to a wide range of roles across the public history and heritage sector. Common destinations include:

• Museums and galleries: curatorial and collections, exhibitions, learning and outreach roles.
• Heritage and conservation organisations: interpretation officers, site managers and policy or project roles.
• Archives and record services: archival assistants, outreach and digitisation roles.
• Community and voluntary sector: community heritage projects, oral history coordination and local history initiatives.
• Digital and media: content creation, digital interpretation, online exhibitions and historical consultancy for film, television and publishing.
• Further academic research or teaching, and roles in cultural policy, fundraising and events management.

Why study at University of York

The University of York offers a strong environment for public history, combining a research-active history department with close connections to one of the UKs richest heritage cities. Students benefit from proximity to major museums, archives and historic sites in York, plus partnership opportunities with local cultural organisations.

Teaching is delivered by staff with expertise in both academic history and public-facing practice, and the programmes emphasis on placements and real-world projects helps build professional networks and a practical portfolio. The Universitys facilities, including library collections and digital research support, further support the development of applied and research skills needed for careers in the heritage sector.