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.
Postgraduate
Postgraduate (further study)
A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.
Research
Higher Degrees by Research (supervised research)
Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.
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Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
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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
Rest assured you’ll gain the required knowledge and skills to help 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.
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.
Arts and media professional roles are projected to increase 16.7% by 2033 according to Australian Government employment projections.^ Get ahead with Deakin – we'll help you build your network within the community and industry.
- 6,600 new jobs for policy and planning managers
- 4,500 new jobs for research and development managers
- 2,000 new jobs for archivists, curators and records managers
- 600 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.
Lorinda Cramer
Lecturer and discipline convenor for the cultural heritage and museum studies programs
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.
Two master degrees
Deakin and the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) in Germany have partnered to offer an exciting dual award program. Study overseas while gaining two qualifications simultaneously – a Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies from Deakin and a Master of World Heritage from BTU.
Latest articles
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
- How cultural heritage and museum studies looks forwards by looking back
- Make your mark with cultural heritage and museum studies
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.
How cultural heritage and museum studies looks forwards by looking back
If you're fascinated by stories, the career opportunities in cultural heritage are vast and rewarding.
Make your mark with cultural heritage and museum studies
Fascinated by cultures and societies around the world? Deakin's cultural heritage and museum studies courses could help you pursue a flourishing career.
Footnotes
^2023 Employment Projections - for the ten years to 2033, Jobs and Skills Australia.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.
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 9034 6205
Enquire online