Cultural Heritage Management | MA | University of Lincoln

Professor Heather Hughes - Programme Leader

Heather Hughes is Professor of Cultural Heritage Studies in the Lincoln International Business School. Born in South Africa, Professor Hughes worked extensively on neglected heritage in the post-apartheid era, before moving to the UK. She has been instrumental in building a digital archive at the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln and is involved in several other heritage-related projects in the city and county. In addition to teaching on the MA programme, she supervises a number of PhD students.

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Welcome to MA Cultural Heritage Management

The MA Cultural Heritage Management aims to enhance students' knowledge of the demands of leadership roles in these closely-related sectors, including managing attractions and collections; analysing and anticipating sector-wide trends, nationally and internationally; exploring the possibilities of digital cultural heritage; and understanding visitors and users more effectively.

Academics who teach on the programme combine strong research insights with extensive practical experience, contributing business, social science, and humanities insights to the course. All students on the programme are encouraged to take a broad, investigative approach, as these are essential qualities for leadership and management roles in the cultural heritage sector.

During the programme, students may benefit from external guest lectures delivered by experienced practitioners, participate in study visits to cultural and heritage attractions, and participate in live projects that aim to provide hands-on applications of classroom-based learning.

How You Study

The programme combines modules that examine culture and heritage management from the perspective of both users and managers. Students study seven compulsory modules and an optional module.

Modules cover attractions and collections and, as so much cultural and heritage activity occurs within the context of tourism, there are also modules that link culture and heritage management to tourism and events, focusing on the important issue of sustainability.

In addition to the taught element of the programme, students are expected to complete a dissertation which encourages innovation and diverse pathways to the final award.

The compulsory modules are:

- Critical Perspectives on Cultural and Heritage Management
- Arts, Performance and Society
- Collections Management and Care
- Digitising Cultural and Heritage Collections
- Research Methods for Tourism Events and Hospitality
- The Visitor Experience at Cultural and Heritage Attractions
- Contemporary Issues in the Visitor Economy

The following list of optional modules is illustrative. Timetabling arrangements may limit the availability of modules to some students and to run, modules depend on a minimum number of participants. As the options reflect staff research interests, they may alter over time due to staff availability.

- Community Organisation, Sustainability and Development
- Comparative Human Resource Management
- Digital Marketing
- Gender, Power and Business
- Group Consultancy Project
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Strategy Making

Many modules on this programme use a 'flipped classroom' approach: students are asked to undertake preparatory tasks before a formal session, whether face to face or online. The session itself, whether tutor or student-led, then allows plenty of time for discussion. One of the compulsory modules, 'Collections Management and Care' includes some lab-based work.

Contact Hours and Independent Study

Each module typically consists of two or three weekly teaching hours over a teaching term of 12 weeks. Four modules are usually studied per semester, equating to eight to 12 hours per week. Part-time students will generally study two modules per term, equating to four to six hours of contact time per week. Hours of study may vary from term to term for both full and part-time students and can be spread throughout the week.

Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend four to five hours in independent study. For more detailed information please contact the Programme Leader.

An Introduction to Your Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Arts, Performance and Society 2023-24TOU9128MLevel 72023-24This module begins with an outline of the relationship between art, performance, audience and state, introducing concurrent versions of the nature, meaning and purpose of art. Special emphasis will be placed on unpacking the apparent cultural divide between high art and popular culture. The study includes an appraisal of the linking of art-forms to specific performance spaces, and an examination of the arts in a range of societal contexts: the arts as instrument; the arts and business; and the arts and religion, and the effect of the societal shift to the post-modern.CoreCollections Management and Care 2023-24CON9011MLevel 72023-24The module provides the underpinning theoretical study for understanding the principles and practice of collections management and care. The module introduces student to the life-cycle of museum objects and covers key issues concerning collections development, management of the internal and external environment, collections documentation and care. Procedures such as collections surveys, risk management, and emergency planning will be considered.CoreContemporary Issues in the Visitor Economy 2023-24TOU9170MLevel 72023-24This module looks to develop students understanding of contemporary issues in tourism, hospitality, and visitor experiences at Masters level. It aims to enhance and develop further student appreciation of the 'context' within which tourism and hospitality businesses and destinations operate and the comparative opportunities and constraints available in the global tourism and hospitality economy. The module will focus upon the diversification of the types and styles of tourism destinations, products and experiences. Contemporary debates will be used where appropriate to facilitate a critical discussion of the philosophical contemporary issues of tourism and hospitality. Such debates will be utilised to facilitate a critical understanding of issues like sustainability, climate change, labour markets and tourism/hospitality, gender issues in hospitality/tourism/events, the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism, the digital movement, dark tourism, the relationship between public and private sectors etc. The module seeks to expose students to a critical debate of understanding some contemporary issues in tourism and hospitality.CoreCritical Perspectives on Cultural and Heritage Management 2023-24TOU9155MLevel 72023-24This module addresses key issues concerning contemporary cultural and heritage management, of both a theoretical and practical nature. Examples can include: is there a funding crisis for cultural and heritage institutions? How should museums respond to requests for the return of items in their collections? How should heritage at risk be safeguarded? Do cultural and heritage sites act as focuses for community cohesion or contest? The module takes a broad, multicultural approach, providing the opportunity to examine case material from across the world.CoreDigitising Cultural and Heritage Collections 2023-24TOU9156MLevel 72023-24This module is designed to address key issues in collections management, with a focus on digital collections. As well as aiming to introduce key theory and concepts, the module contains a strong practical dimension, as students have the opportunity to participate in the production of metadata, the development of a content management system and the application of a content management system to supporting exhibition development.CoreDissertation 2023-24BUS9036MLevel 72023-24The dissertation provides an opportunity for students with a range of experience and interests to apply and develop their existing skills and knowledge to an independent study project, which affords an opportunity for both the expression of original thought and creativity; together with the application of analytical skills and critical reasoning. Our approach to dissertation is to facilitate innovative approaches and diverse pathways to the final assessed piece of work; in effect the dissertation is an extended research project. The dissertation topic should be aligned to students' subject of study.CoreResearch Methods for Tourism, Events and Hospitality 2023-24TOU9176MLevel 72023-24CoreThe Visitor Experience at Cultural and Heritage Attractions 2023-24TOU9143MLevel 72023-24Cultural and heritage sites, festivals and events are growing in number and popularity. Moreover, the divide between fixed attractions and events is to some extent dissolving. Attractions such as museums and galleries are increasingly attempting to reinvent themselves as spaces of multiple use. This module asks who the visitors are, and what they hope to gain from the experience. It is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the approaches adopted with the intention of enhancing the visitor experience.CoreCommunity Organisation, Sustainability and Development 2023-24BUS9028MLevel 72023-24This module aims to introduce students to a range of non-traditional business models and to challenge established expectations and norms about business ethics, motivations, value-systems and practices. The module presents the notion that enterprises can operate due to motives other than profit-maximisation and that Social Purpose Organisations can exist to fulfil social functions using business models to create an alternative basis for sustainability and development. Students are challenged to think critically about these forms of organisation and their impact on societies (positive and negative). Students are also challenged to consider how issues such as performance management can translate into the operations of community enterprises.OptionalComparative Human Resource Management 2023-24HRM9039MLevel 72023-24This module is designed to introduce students to the principal issues underlying international and comparative human resource management (IHRM) in a global context. Such issues have risen in prominence due to increasing trade liberalisation, globalisation, spread of multinational corporations (MNCs), outsourcing to Asia, developmental focus on Africa and economic integration within the European Union. As firms increasingly internationalise, suitable strategies for managing human resources have become critical to competition between the MNCs. Students can develop an insight into managing human resources in different national contexts and examine those global and national factors that impact approaches taken to international human resource management. More specifically, the module aims to discuss and analyse those factors which result in variations in HRM practices and policies across national business systems.OptionalDigital Marketing 2023-24MKT9118MLevel 72023-24This module provides the opportunity to explore how the increasing pressures and opportunities created by new media formats and electronic communication tools are shaping marketing strategy. The module covers themes such as social media marketing, mobile marketing, data analytics, and digital marketing campaigns.OptionalGroup Consultancy Project 2023-24MGT9125MLevel 72023-24This module aims to further enhance managerial competence and capability by providing the opportunity for students to develop the skills to become competent management consultants. Such competency is highly valued as it can help facilitate internal and external organisational consultancy interventions that add value at both an operational and strategic level.OptionalStrategy Making 2023-24BUS9048MLevel 72023-24Strategy is the heart of every organisation. This module explores how strategy is conceived, how it affects the organisation and how the organisation can be designed to realise its strategy efficiently and effectively. The module aims to support students in developing their strategic thinking skills through a review of diverse theories, models and practical exercises.Optional

How you are assessed

Tutors use a variety of assessment methods on this course, including presentations, reports, blogs, and essays. These are designed to develop skills needed for a career in cultural and heritage institutions. There is a focus on group discussion in weekly class sessions, which enables students to receive feedback on their understanding of, and approach to, the subject matter.

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.

Fees and Funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.

Programme Fees

Programme-Specific Additional Costs

For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required, depending on your course. Some courses provide opportunities for you to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for the travel, accommodation and your meals may be covered by the University and so is included in your fee. Where these are optional you will normally (unless stated otherwise) be required to pay your own transportation, accommodation and meal costs.

With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

First or second class honours degree.

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/ . These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

Research at Lincoln International Business School

Students can join the Heritage and Archives Network at the University of Lincoln, a forum which connects our community of researchers and practitioners, and the Lincolnshire Heritage Students’ Forum, which enables networking across heritage institutions in the county. They can also benefit from our partnership with the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln.

Academics from the MA Culture and Heritage Management are also involved in the Lincoln International Business School’s Visitor Economy Research Group (VERG). VERG aims to harness the research energies of a number of colleagues, both early career and well established, who are working in the areas of tourism, events, and leisure.

Large-scale projects associated with the Group are: research for the Lincoln City Council on visitor satisfaction at, and the economic impact of, the Lincoln Christmas Market; building the digital archive and exhibition for the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln; using art and performance to promote social cohesion in Europe.

To find out more, please visit Lincoln International Business School research pages.

Partnerships

Students on this programme can benefit from the University’s partnership with the International Bomber Command Centre, and from our close links to the Lincolnshire Heritage Forum.

Features

Students have the opportunity to participate in study visits to cultural and heritage attractions and can learn about preserving heritage materials for use in archives, museums and exhibitions by participating in the creation of a digital archive. Students may also benefit from guest lectures delivered by experienced practitioners in the culture and heritage sectors.

Students are eligible for membership of the Lincolnshire Heritage Students’ Forum, established in 2020. The Forum runs a lively seminar/discussion programme and connects students to heritage sites in the county, as well as to influential national leaders in the sector. It also offers a range of volunteering opportunities, which are both rewarding and offer valuable experience.

The University is also a partner in the delivery of the International Bomber Command Centre and students benefit from this relationship in terms of practical activities and study visits.

Broaden Your Horizons

Lincoln International Business School students can expand their horizons, visit our partner universities, and see international business in action by joining funded international trips to exciting overseas destinations. Places are awarded competitively to eligible students each academic year.

Find out more about our funded field trip places for students.

"On this MA, I was encouraged to think about things that wouldn’t otherwise have crossed my mind. It was really engaging from beginning to end and gave me the confidence to start my own heritage business."

Sue Johnstone, MA Culture and Heritage Management student

Career and Personal Development

Graduates of the MA Culture and Heritage Management have gone on to a variety of careers, including curatorial posts in specialist and county museums, setting up their own heritage businesses, and managing backstage operations at music festivals. Others have gone on to further study at PhD level.

The University Careers and Employability Team offer qualified advisors who can work with you to provide tailored, individual support and careers advice during your time at the University. As a member of our alumni we also offer one-to-one support in the first year after completing your course, including access to events, vacancy information and website resources; with access to online vacancies and virtual and website resources for the following two years.

This service can include one-to-one coaching, CV advice and interview preparation to help you maximise your future opportunities.
The service works closely with local, national and international employers, acting as a gateway to the business world.

Working in Partnership

Lincoln International Business School works with students and organisations to enhance the contribution of business to society. For students, that means developing their business skills and knowledge to improve their career readiness.

The University of Lincoln is a member of AACSB, a global nonprofit association connecting educators, students, and businesses to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Find out more.

Postgraduate Events

Find out more about how postgraduate study can help further your career, develop your knowledge, or even prepare you to start your own business at one of our postgraduate events.

Find out More

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Key Information

MA Cultural Heritage Management