Managing Archaeological Sites MA

UCL (University College London)

Join us to get a deep insight into analysing archaeological and heritage sites in the UK and internationally, to consider the challenges and opportunities in how they are managed, conserved and presented to preserve their significance. This programme forms an ideal pathway to a career in heritage management or policy work. The Managing Archaeological Sites MA focuses on the practical ways in which heritage places are preserved, curated, and presented in in the modern world. The course begins at the point of excavation of archaeological sites or the identification of unique architecture and artefacts, and charts a course through legal, ethical, and practical frameworks to determine the future of physical heritage. It addresses questions such as: why some sites and buildings are selected for preservation and others are not; who decides how to manage a place and how management structures vary; and how cultural heritage can be managed in times of crisis (or whether they should be). You will discuss how power relationships, international law, social and economic factors impact on decision making, as well as designing management strategies for case studies in regions of the UK and the globe that interest you. On this programme you will: Learn about strategies for conservation and presentation. Disentangle national and international legal frameworks for heritage protection. Understand means of digital documentation and information dissemination. Discuss the impact of tourism and successful visitor management. Draw on the experience of from heritage practitioners from all over the world and debate with them. Experience diverse management strategies in the present day through UK field trips. The flexibility to choose optional modules across heritage and archaeology allows you to tailor the degree to be more theoretical or practical, while also gaining additional skills aligned with your career goals. The programme has an international perspective and will appeal to students from a range of academic backgrounds (e.g. archaeology, heritage, conservation, planning, architecture, museum studies, tourism, culture-creative). Because the programme has a good balance of both theory and practice, it will suit those wishing to continue to academic research and those seeking employment in heritage administration or international organisations.