single degree

Master of Museum and Heritage Studies (Advanced)

A single 1.5 year graduate award offered by the Research School of Humanities and the Arts

MMUSHADV
  • Length 1.5 year full-time
  • Minimum 72 Units
  • Academic plan VMHES
  • Post Nominal MMusmHteStAdv
  • CRICOS code 119062J
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Studies in Human Society
  • Academic contact
  • Length 1.5 year full-time
  • Minimum 72 Units
  • Academic plan VMHES
  • Post Nominal MMusmHteStAdv
  • CRICOS code 119062J
  • Mode of delivery
    • In Person
  • Field of Education
    • Studies in Human Society
  • Academic contact

Program Requirements

The Master of Museum and Heritage Studies (Advanced) requires completion of 72 units, which must consist of:

A minimum of 48 units from completion of 8000-level courses including THES8103 Thesis

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

HUMN6051 Introduction to Cultural Heritage Management

HUMN8027 Critical Issues in Heritage and Museum Studies

HUMN8035 Critical Issues in Intangible Heritage

MUSC8017 Museums and Collections: Key Concepts and Practices


24 units from the completion of courses within the following thematic lists:

Museums and Collections

HUMN8034 Collaborative Curating and Storytelling

MUSC8006 Indigenous Collections and Exhibitions

MUSC8012 Understanding Learning in Museums and Heritage

MUSC8018 Exhibition Design and Delivery

MUSC8021 Collections Management Workshop


Cultural Heritage

HUMN8019 UNESCO and World Heritage: Conserving Heritage Values

HUMN8033 Heritage Tourism and Sustainable Development

HUMN8034 Collaborative Curating and Storytelling

HUMN8038 Oral History and Heritage: Practice and Theory

HUMN8039 Indigenous Heritage Management and Debates in Digital Heritage

HUMN8040 Heritage and Tourism Field School


Repatriation and Restitution

HUMN8036 Restitution and the Archive? Using Archives and Special Collections

MUSC8006 Indigenous Collections and Exhibitions

MUSC8019 Repatriation: Principles, Policy, Practice

MUSC8022 Restitution, Social Justice and Museums

  

Internships and research projects

ANIP6503 Australian National Internships Program A

MUSC8009 Museums and Heritage Research Project 


24 units from completion of the Thesis course:

THES8103 Thesis


Students must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor in order to enrol in THES8103 Thesis in a specified semester one calendar year in advance of the start date of that semester. Students who do not have the written agreement of an identified supervisor one calendar year in advance, or whose agreed supervisor either subsequently leaves the university or is on leave from the university, will be transferred to the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies.

Master Research

To satisfy the research requirements of this program, all students are required to complete:

a) HUMN8027 - the course includes assessment of cumulative 6000 words over three research essays (90% of the total assessment).

b) HUMN8035 Critical Issues in Intangible Heritage – the course includes assessment of cumulative 6000 words over three research essays and projects (90% of the total assessment) and

c) THES8103 Thesis

Master Research Training

To satisfy research training requirements all students are required to complete HUMN8027 and HUMN8035.

Capstone Courses

[THES8103]

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present one of the following:

  • A cognate Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 6/7; or
  • A Bachelor degree or international equivalent AND a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline with a minimum GPA of 5/7.


Further information: Students must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor in order to enrol in THES8103 Thesis in a specified semester one calendar year in advance of the start date of that semester. Students who do not have the written agreement of an identified supervisor one calendar year in advance, or whose agreed supervisor either subsequently leaves the university or is on leave from the university, will be transferred to the Master of Museum and Heritage Studies.

All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Students must have the written agreement of an identified supervisor prior to admission into the VAPF.

Ranking and English Language proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of:

  • a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
  • demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

Assessment of qualifications: Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met.

Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au.

Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.

ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications.

Cognate Disciplines

Anthropology, Archaeology, Archiving, Architecture, Art History, Art and Design, Australian Studies, Classics, Creative Arts, Cultural Geography, Cultural Studies, Design, Development Studies, Digital Humanities, Education, English, Environmental Science, Environmental History, Environmental Management, Fine Arts, Gender Studies, Geography, History, Heritage Studies, Human Geography, Indigenous Studies, Law, Library Studies, Media Studies, Museology, Museum Studies, Palaeontology, Philosophy, Politics, Political Science, Public History, Psychology, Science, Science Communication, Social Science, Social Policy, Sociology, Tourism Studies, Visual Arts.


Pathways

Masters of Museum and Heritage Studies (coursework) MMHES.

Annual indicative fee for domestic students
$36,120.00

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

Annual indicative fee for international students
$53,110.00

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

The Master of Museum and Heritage Studies (Advanced) draws on our strong connections with Canberra’s leading cultural and collecting institutions to prepare you for an innovative career in this field. Our local and national links mean you’ll regularly hear from senior institutional staff in classes, and can learn on the ground through our internship program. Our academics are international leaders in research in the fields of museology and heritage studies. The masters provides opportunities to develop contemporary curatorship and collections management skills, heritage management skills and the skills that facilitate the safeguarding of intangible heritage. The Advanced program allows students to develop a semester long research project of their choosing in consultation with their supervisor. Students will also critically engage with key issues facing the Museum and Heritage sectors today. These include social inclusion, citizenship and community engagement, repatriation and restitution, social activism and museums/heritage, Indigenous curation and collection, and innovative visitor studies. The masters also offers the opportunity to analytically address and assess national and international policy and practices in the context of a critical framework that explores the political and social phenomenon and impacts of heritage in all its various forms and expressions.


Career Options

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

This program is available for applications to commence from First Semester, 2026

Employment Opportunities

Master of Museum and Heritage Studies (Advanced) opens a wealth of career opportunities in the Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) sector, as well as in the broader heritage and cultural sectors. Graduates can pursue roles such as museum curators, heritage managers, archivists, cultural heritage consultants, and educators. 

Learning Outcomes

  1. analyse, research, reflect on and synthesise complex approaches to museums and collecting agencies and their relationships to societies;
  2. evaluate significant debates, problems, controversies, concepts and theories pertinent to museums and collections;
  3. develop a critical engagement with, and a working knowledge of, museums and collecting agencies;
  4. communicate and interpret knowledge and ideas to general and specialists museum audiences; and
  5. complete a substantial, independent research project in the field of museum and/or heritage studies.

Research Strengths

To satisfy the research requirements of this program, all students are required to complete:

a) HUMN8027 - the course includes assessment of cumulative 6000 words over three research essays (90% of the total assessment).

b) HUMN8035 Critical Issues in Intangible Heritage – the course includes assessment of cumulative 6000 words over three research essays and projects (90% of the total assessment) and

c) THES8103 Thesis

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