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Key facts
Duration
2-years full time (4-years part time) - 16 credit points
Campuses
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Develop the knowledge, research skills and practical experience to make a difference in the cultural heritage sector. Whether you want to work with collections, manage a museum or heritage site, or protect and interpret significant sites, landscapes or intangible cultural heritage, specific pathways through the Masters mean you can create a program that is right for you.
Through this program, you’ll develop an extensive, cross-disciplinary knowledge of heritage principles and practice across many disciplines.
Whether you’re a mid-career professional consolidating your practical experience, looking for a change in career, or a recent graduate who’d like to work in museums or heritage organisations, Deakin’s Master in Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) provides a pathway into employment in this diverse and exciting field.
Read MoreCourse structure
The Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) is 16 credit points.
To qualify for the award of Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional) a student must successfully complete 16 credits as follows:
- Six credit points of compulsory core units
- Up to six credit points of electives
- 2 credit point of Work Integrated Learning units (WIL)
- A minimum two credit point research capstone
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
6
Core units
10
Research/Electives
16
Total units
Core units
Course Electives
2 credit points of the electives may be selected from other Deakin postgraduate units with the approval of the course director.
Research
Research units
A minimum two credit point research capstone chosen from:
and
OR
and
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Capstones
2 credit points from:
*Trimester 3 study required
Key information
2021 course information
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Admission to study postgraduate coursework at Deakin is based on recognition of your professional experience and previous qualifications.
- Bachelor degree or other qualification at a higher AQF level in any discipline; Or
- Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 15% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees. Your Immediate Family Members may also be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Deakin Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Research Information
Students will complete a research project in one of the two following options:
- a 2 credit point research project; or
- a 4 credit point research project.
Entry pathways
Contact information
Prospective Student Enquiry Centre
1800 693 888
myfuture@deakin.edu.au
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
This course provides an integrated approach for those working in government agencies, private corporations, community organisations and in private practice in a range of professions. Typical job titles include: heritage officer, heritage site or museum manager, interpretation officer, registrar, curator, public programs officer, researcher, and project officer.
The course also offers a PhD pathway for those students without an undergraduate Honours degree (dependant upon chosen research option).
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Research and critically reflect on the diverse tangible and intangible manifestations of social memory as expressed in places and sites, objects, traditional practices and beliefs on a personal and collective level and evaluate different conceptual and practical approaches to its identification, collection, conservation, interpretation, display, management and use. Assess the role of cultural heritage in the context of modern organisations and society in order to add value |
| Communication | Effectively communicate the findings and analysis of cultural heritage and museum studies concepts, theories and applied knowledge, in written, digital and oral formats to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Use a range of generic and specialist cultural heritage and museum studies digital technologies and information sources to research, select, analyse, employ, evaluate, and disseminate technical and non-technical information and research outcomes. |
| Critical thinking | Critically reflect on, research, analyse, evaluate and synthesise key concepts in the identification, collection, conservation, display, interpretation, management, and use of cultural heritage. Apply expert knowledge of, and, technical and creative skills in cultural heritage within organisational and societal contexts to evaluate issues and problems in professional practice and scholarship |
| Problem solving | Apply expert knowledge to critically analyse, and develop innovative and independently and collaboratively creative solutions to real-world and ill-defined problems or issues in the identification, collection, conservation, display, interpretation, management and use of cultural heritage. |
| Self-management | Apply critical reflection and use frameworks of self evaluation to develop independent judgment, adaptability and responsibility for expert professional practice and / or scholarship. |
| Teamwork | Apply the principles of effective team work as a reflective team member and/or leader of diverse cultural heritage and museum teams in order to support the team in achieving designated goals. |
| Global citizenship | Engage ethically and professionally when working in a variety of cultural heritage and museum studies situations through concern for legal, economic, environmental and social risks both nationally and globally |
| Approved by Faculty Board 2020 | |