Cultural heritage and museum studies
Discipline
Conserve the past, protect the future. Explore the identification, collection, curation, interpretation, management and politics of the past. Examine objects and collections in museums, cultural landscapes, routes and global cultural heritage.
Explore your study options
More than ever, society wants to better understand the past and create positive change in the present – something you can contribute to with the expertise you'll develop. Whether you want to curate exhibitions, manage a museum or heritage site, safeguard Indigenous cultural heritage, or support the conservation of intangible cultural heritage, you can tailor your postgraduate studies to your interests.
Choose a cultural heritage and museum studies degree that will get you work ready
Deakin’s courses are shaped by industry with a practical, real-world approach to learning. Prepare to be adaptable throughout your career with a foundational course that kick-starts your journey or a specialist degree in the areas you want to pursue.
Industry-shaped courses
Study with confidence - get the knowledge and skills you'll need to progress your career. Deakin’s cultural heritage and museum studies course advisory board includes members from the Melbourne Museum, National Trust and Heritage Victoria.
Graduate with professional experience
Leverage our industry partnerships – access work placement opportunities and gain valuable experience through work-integrated learning, including internships and field work in Australia and overseas.
Take the next step to a brighter future
Explore our courses in cultural heritage and museum studies and learn about life at Deakin. Get more inspiration for your future career in a major growth sector.
Top professional roles in cultural heritage and museum studies
Our graduates have secured coveted roles such as collections managers, curators, researchers, heritage officers, and museum and art gallery directors, working across government agencies, community organisations and in private practice. Studying with us means we can help you build your network within the community and industry.
Arts and media professional roles are projected to increase 15.6% by 2034 according to Australian Government employment projections.*
- 7,400 new jobs for policy and planning managers
- 4,500 new jobs for research and development managers
- 2,700 new jobs for archivists, curators and records managers
- 500 new jobs for gallery, museum and tour guides.
Graduate with an employment advantage
Cultural heritage and museum studies at Deakin is the largest and longest-running program of its kind in Australia. Our courses are shaped by industry and taught by world-leading researchers and practising professionals with extensive industry experience.
Our graduates go on to do amazing things – curators, collections managers, museum directors, cultural heritage management planning. It's incredibly varied.
Course Director, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies
World-class teaching experiences
Deakin’s industry-shaped courses and practical, real-world approach to learning will enable you to develop the skills your future employers are looking for and extend your professional network.
Work in the field
Work-integrated learning is featured throughout our masters program, including the Applied Heritage Project unit. You can also choose to complete an internship, where you'll undertake a professional work placement with a host organisation.
Tailor your degree
You can tailor your studies to your interests through the choice of electives such as digital interpretation or world heritage. Choose from three postgraduate degrees, available to study online or at our Melbourne Burwood Campus.
Want to explore more?
If you're dreaming of a career in cultural heritage and museum studies, Deakin can help get you there.
Five inspiring careers in cultural heritage and museum studies
Considering a career in cultural heritage and museum studies? Deakin alumni share how their degree shaped their career made their mark in the industry.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
*Jobs and Skills Australia, National Employment Projections 2024 to 2034.
++Some courses have limited places, apply early to avoid missing out.
Contact us
Got a question about our cultural heritage and museum studies courses? Our course advisers are available to speak to you about your study options and how we can help you further your career.
Domestic students
1800 693 888
Enquire online
International students
+61 3 9918 9188
Enquire online
