Museum and Heritage Studies

Last Updated: October 15, 2024

14 Waiteata Rd

Kelburn, Wellington 6021

Visit Website

Director(s)

Professor Conal McCarthy, Director

[email protected]

+64 4 463 7470

Website

Program Introduction

This interdisciplinary programme incorporates GLAMs (galleries, libraries, archives, museums), heritage and public history, as well as a strong indigenous element (Maori and Pacific heritage). The leading programme in the region, it was established in 2000, has two full time staff and extensive input and support from professionals in the sector, and has produced 15-20 graduates p.a. Qualifications include a one year taught masters degree focusing on current practice, a research masters (MA by thesis) and PhD. The history programme at VUW includes public history in its offerings and offers a BA, Hons, MA and PhD. Both programmes have close relationships with national institutions, repositories, and heritage organisations.

Degrees Offered

  • B.A. in History
  • M.A. in History
  • Ph.D. in History
  • Museum Studies Degree, Certificate, or Minor
  • Other

Program Strengths

  • Archival Practices
  • Historic Preservation
  • Historical Administration
  • Local/Community History
  • Material Culture
  • Museum Studies
  • Other
  • Public Policy

Credit Hour Requirements

N/A

How Many Students are Admitted Annually

BA50

MA15-20

PhD1-2

MAs produced last year

15 MMHPs, 2 MAs

Full-time Program Staff/Faculty

Two in MHST, 10 in History, and a number of Teaching Fellows.

Dr. Lee Davidson 

 

Financial Aid Available

None for International Students

Deadline To Apply

December 1

Internship Requirements

Required. 600 hours over Masters Degree, sometimes paid, closely managed.

Places Where Students Have Interned During the Past 3 Years

• Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
• Creative New Zealand
• New Zealand Historic Places Trust
• New Zealand Department of Conservation
• Auckland Museum
• Auckland Art Gallery
• Te Ara

Job Placement Assistance

The MMHP has a lot of emphasis on employability, and includes classes on transition to work (cvs, interviews, career portfolio) as well as Vic Careers who offer extensive advice and resources to student and graduates.

Job Placement Percentage Within One Year

Roughly 75%

Employers Who Have Hired Graduates from this Program within the Past Five Years

Too many to name – local and national GLAMs and heritage/history organisations in NZ as well as Australia and the UK

Master’s graduate profiles

Master’s thesis graduates 

PhD graduates 

Community & Institutional Connections

Too many to name, see this list of reps on our Advisory Group.