Faculty of Humanities and Education

Department of History, Philosophy & Psychology

Postgraduate Programmes

MA Heritage Studies

MA Heritage Studies

About the Programme

The MA in Heritage Studies programme continues to create marketable graduates in the field, deepening and diversifying students' knowledge base in this area. Emphasis is placed on innovative types of experiential learning and management aspects of the industry. Graduates of the programme will be able to immediately apply their skills across all sectors of the heritage industry including tourism, museums, archives, government and academia.
The aim of this programme is to create heritage specialists who can develop and manage the cultural and heritage resources of Barbados and the wider Caribbean, while working within global standards for the heritage industry.
 

What Will I Study?

You will :

  • Develop cultural resource management skills
  • Learn more about the management of archives, museums and historic sites
  • Learn about the importance of conservation, preservation and safeguarding intangible and tangible heritage
  • Understand the local, regional and global heritage policy environment

Research

UWI/ OAS Caribbean Heritage Network

UNESCO World Heritage Nomination The Industrial Heritage of Barbados: The Story of Sugar and Rum 

Institute of Historical Studies (IHR) Partnership Seminar Series: The World in a Historic House: Global Connections and Collections
 

Career Opportunities

Skills  of the Historian include: research, critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication. Careers can be found in areas such as: 

  • Museums, libraries and heritage sites: Cultural and heritage manager,Archivist, Museum education officer, Archaeologist, Curator, Tour guide, Historic preservation specialist, Librarian

 

  • Business and Commerce: Corporate historian, Social media manager, Content editor, HR manager, Public relations officer, Marketing officer, Communications officer, Records manager, Office manager, Administrative assistant, Event planner, Supply chain manager

 

  • Researcher: Genealogical research, Research assistant, Research analyst, Media researcher

 

  • Writer: Author, Editor, Script writer, Documentary producer, Public advocate, Contract historian, Journalist

 

  • Politics and Government: Political campaign manager, Records manager, Diplomat, Public affairs specialist, Policy advisor, Intelligence officer, Teacher, Cultural resource manager

 
See professionals – regional and international – with History degrees [PDF] »

Why Study in Barbados

We have hosted a number of regional and international students in this programme. They benefit from working in Caribbean heritage institutions while understanding the contested nature of the Caribbean heritage environment.

Additional Information

To obtain the MA degree:

  • Students must complete six(6) semester-long courses.
  • All students must complete a Research Paper between 10,000 and 15,000 words (exclusive of bibliography and notes), on a topic within their area of specialisation and approved by the Department. See Thesis guide

Also, see Faculty Regulations for more information.

Get Started

At a Glance

  • Degree Level: Postgraduate
  • Qualification: MA
  • Duration: 1 year (full-time); 2 years (part-time)

Contact


Programme Details

Students are required to gain 42 credits through successful completion of (6) 5-credit courses (5 compulsory and 1 elective) and a 12‐credit Research Paper of between 10,000 and 15,000 words (exclusive of bibliography and notes), on a topic within their area of specialisation and approved by the Department.
You must do these courses:
Compulsory (all 5 credits)

  • Caribbean History and Heritage
  • Principles and Practices of Archives
  • Museum Development, Management and Curatorship
  • Landscape History of the Eastern Caribbean
  • Cultural Resource Management for Heritage Sites
  • Research paper (12 credits)

 

  • Select 1 elective* from
    • Oral History: Sources and Methods
    • Audio‐visual in History
    • Reading Material Culture

* Not all electives are offered every year.

See Complete Course List
See Course Description»

We offer low tuition fees and several scholarships and financial aid are available. Choose a payment plan that fits your education budget. View Student Financing Website »

  1. Applicants must meet the general requirements for higher degrees as set out by the Regulations of the University, Faculty of Humanities and Education, and the Department of History & Philosophy, as approved by the Board for Graduate Studies and Research.
  2. The minimum requirement for admission is normally a Lower Second Class Honours degree or higher. Applicants should have obtained a B average in at least four history courses at Level II/ III at the Undergraduate level.
  3. Applicants who do not satisfy these requirements, may in exceptional circumstances be admitted on passing a Qualifying Examination.

For further information on how to apply for our programme please click here.

To qualify for the award of the degree, candidates must pass all courses and the research paper with at least a B grade. Students who fail the research paper and one of the courses will be deemed to have failed the whole programme and will not be eligible for a re-sit or for re-submission of the research.