The only World Heritage Management course in Ireland and one of the first of its kind in the world.
A multidisciplinary programme. Lectures delivered by UCD staff and outside experts.
Visit Ireland's most iconic World Heritage Site, Bru na Boinne.
Graduates are working with international organizations, national authorities and in the private sector.
Please click here to watch a video on the programme
Overview
Features
Curriculum
Careers
Admissions
Who is the UCD MSc World Heritage Management for? This multi-disciplinary Masters course is intended for those who want to learn the skills to become managers responsible for World Heritage sites and equivalent cultural and natural sites around the world.
The UCD MSc World Heritage Management programme is designed to accommodate applicants with a variety of academic qualifications including Archaeology, Architecture, Geography, Biology, Arts, Agriculture, Engineering and Economics. We normally have a diverse group of students with a wide range of experience in different areas of cultural and natural heritage, which creates a very dynamic group. Applicants are normally expected to have an honours university degree as well as knowledge of conservation heritage issues.
What will I learn from the UCD MSc World Heritage Management ? The World Heritage Management programme provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to work as a conservation manager anywhere in the world. The programme comprises lectures, seminars, workshops, fieldtrips and projects, which will broaden your knowledge and understanding, improve communication skills and improve your ability for independent thinking and for developing creative solutions. One of the main factors that will determine your field of expertise is the research thesis that you complete in second year. The topic is chosen in consultation with the Academic Directors and the aim is to develop project management, research and analytical skills in an area of conservation management that is of particular interest to you.
How will I benefit from the UCD MSc World Heritage Management? Your advanced post-graduate degree in World Heritage Management will be recognised and valued by prospective employers. You will also have the opportunity to become part of a network of alumni in the field of heritage management.
You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the World Heritage Convention and of the management and conservation challenges facing site managers and policy-makers.
Experts in natural and cultural heritage from within UCD, from other universities and related national and international agencies contribute to make this an exceptional multidisciplinary programme.
What is the UCD MSc World Heritage Management programme about? The UCD MSc World Heritage Management programme provides a comprehensive course of education and training in World Heritage and Protected Area Management.
We aim to give you the knowledge and skills to become managers responsible for World Heritage sites and equivalent cultural and natural sites around the world. You will receive a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the following topics:
Key stages of the processes of inscription of World Heritage Sites. The role of International legislation such as Directives, Regulations & Conventions in the strategy for global heritage conservation; environmental interpretation and management of tourism in protected sites; monitoring, reporting and mitigation of threats to sites including climate change effects; producing and interpreting a wide range of both species and habitat action plans; Analysing necessary conditions for selection, protection and management of cultural world heritage sites; designing and implementing project planning and budgeting methods; sustainable development; communication & mediation skills; reconciliation of the often conflicting agendas of stakeholders; historic landscape management; key issues surrounding WH designation of archaeological landscapes in Ireland.
Programme Highlights
Opportunity to visit Ireland's most iconic World Heritage Site, Bru na Boinne, as well as take part in field trips and workshops at spectacular World Heritage Sites in Spain, including Doñana Natural Space and the Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias in Seville.
The UCD MSc World Heritage Management programme has a global, multidisciplinary perspective with contributions from national and international academics and experts. Students receive a comprehensive introduction to natural and cultural heritage conservation and management issues and have the opportunity to specialise in an area of their choice.
Students share their firsthand practical experience with other Masters students and professionals from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds and this creates a dynamic learning environment.
The MSc in World Heritage Management gives you the skills you need for a career in the field of World Heritage and Protected Area Management
Additional expenses include the cost of attending a week long field-trip to Donana World Heritage Site and Seville city in the South of Spain (approx €550). This field trip is recommended to all students, but not compulsory.
The MSc in World Heritage Management is a two-year, full-time programme. It is worth 120 ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System). Each student completes 60 ECTS credits in Year 1 (Stage 1). The lecture course consists of ten modules of approximately 18 hours of lectures (and fieldtrips) each.
Core modules are offered in Semester 1. These modules deal with the legal issues of the WH Convention & International legislation, the skills of conflict resolution and project management and marketing as well as the concept of sustainable development and an introduction to cultural heritage. In Semester 2, you have the opportunity to complete a project report, on a topic of your choice, worth 10 ECTS credits. The remaining 20 credits can be obtained by successfully completing a combination of the option modules from either a natural heritage theme or a cultural heritage theme.
List of modules, Stage 1:
Semester 1, Core Modules ZOOL40110 Heritage and Environmental Interpretation (5 ECTS) ZOOL40140 International Strategies and the World Heritage Convention (5 ECTS) ZOOL40090 Cultural Heritage (5 ECTS) ZOOL40170 Project Development, Management & Marketing (5 ECTS) ZOOL40190 Sustainable Development (5 ECTS) ZOOL40240 Conflict Resolution & Conservation (5 ECTS)
Semester 2, Core modules ZOOL40200 End of course project (10ECTS) Semester 2, Option Modules Select a minimum of one from each group.
Cultural Heritage Group ZOOL40260 Cultural Heritage & Conservation Practice (5ECTS) ARCH40270 Landscape Management & Characterisation (10ECTS) ARCH40470 Archaeology & WHM in Ireland (5ECTS) ZOOL40160 Climate Change (5ECTS)
Students who successfully reach a Grade Point Average of 3.2 at the end of Stage 1 are eligible to continue to Stage 2 and complete their MSc Thesis. The research thesis is carried out in the field and is designed to explore and resolve a practical management problem at a World Heritage Site or equivalent reserve.
List of Modules, Stage 2:
ZOOLZOOL40230 - MSc Thesis (40 ECTS credits) ZOOL40220 - Assignments to accompany thesis (20 ECTS credits) Students who do not continue on to Stage 2 but successfully complete Stage 1 are eligible to graduate with a Graduate Diploma.
A Part-Time option is also available for the MSc in World Heritage Management. Part-time students complete stage 1 over two years and select the modules that suit their schedule from the full-time timetable. Each student completes 30 ECTS credits each year. Part-time students also complete their MSc thesis in Stage 2 over two years.
Where can I go after the UCD MSc World Heritage Management?
Career opportunities include: World Heritage and Protected Area Manager, Park warden and Park ranger, Heritage officer and Education Officer; Managerial & Policy positions in government, Natural Resources Manager; Consultancy firms and Research; International Conservation agencies
Our graduates are building successful careers in the interdisciplinary field of heritage protection, management and research in Australia, China, England, Ethiopia, France, Ireland, Italy, Tanzania, Uganda and the U.S. to name a few countries. Graduates are working with international organizations, national authorities and in the private sector. They have secured positions in World Heritage Sites, National Parks and Museums, in senior government positions and positions in education. Graduates have also continued their research at PhD level and pursued further studies.
The UCD MSc World Heritage Management programme is designed to accommodate applicants with a variety of academic qualifications including Archaeology, Architecture, Geography, Biology, Arts, Agriculture, Engineering and Economics. We typically have a very diverse group of students with a wide range of experience in different areas of cultural and natural heritage. Applicants are normally expected to have an honours university degree as well as knowledge of conservation heritage issues.
If you are interested in this programme and are not sure if you are eligible, please contact Claire Cave (Telephone +353 1 716 2256)
If English is not your native language, unless you have done your primary degree through English in an English speaking country, an English language qualification is required for all programmes. English Language qualifications include a minimum score of 550 (213 computer based) for TOEFL i.e. Test of English as a Foreign Language, or 6.0 for IELTS i.e. International English Language Testing System. Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted such as the Cambridge Certificate.
Once online, the first step is to create a user account, then select "Graduate Taught Courses" as your application type and from the list of programme choices you can select MSc World Heritage Management Full-Time (X182) or Part-Time(X347)
Applicants who are interested in applying as a visiting or occasional student should contact the course director directly.
Applicants who experience internet-connection difficulties in their country of origin and thus have difficulty applying online may apply directly to the course director:
Dr Claire Cave UCD School of Biology & Environmental Science, Science Centre West University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Phone: + 353-1-716-2265/2256 Fax: + 353-1-7161153 Email: worldheritage@ucd.ie
