This page may contain additional navigation below.
Heritage Management (Foundation Degree)
The Foundation Degree in Heritage Management at Bath Spa University is a highly vocational course. It aims to provide you with an exciting and thought-provoking experience in the study of heritage and its management, as well as offering opportunities to explore heritage management in practice in a variety of settings.
For more information about this course please visit the School of Humanities and Cultural Industries website.
The heritage sector in Britain is a multi-million pound industry, and is dynamic and changing in response to new developments (political, technological and economic, for example). It addresses issues of history, preservation, protection and research, and it encompasses communication, education, leisure and enjoyment.
Through different work placements you will enhance your employability skills and your experience of heritage in practice in a tangible way.
Course Structure and Content
This course can be taken either full-time over two years or part-time over three years. Throughout the programme you will build up your skills and knowledge through a series of modules. A full-time student normally studies six modules per year.
The course aims to equip you with the skills required to undertake a professional role in heritage management. This will include preparing and developing exhibitions; conservation; preparing educational programmes for school and college visits; managing the visitor experience; organising events; conducting historical and archive research; managing museum shops and cafes; fundraising skills; PR skills and dealing with the media; budgeting skills and the ability to apply for external funds and grants; using popular culture to promote history and heritage.
Bath (a World Heritage site) and its surrounding region provide an excellent setting for the study of heritage management, with a wide variety of museums, heritage properties, exhibitions and cultural settings.
Modules
Year One
- Introduction to the Reading of Heritage
- Exhibitions and Interpretation
- Public history and Identity
- Team Project
- Heritage Professional Studies I: Museum Education
- The Built Environment
Year Two
- Economics of Heritage
- Skills in Archive Research
- Heritage Professional Studies II: Business Tourism and Marketing
- Heritage Professional Studies III: Placements
- Heritage and Entertainment
- The Politics of Collecting
Teaching Methods and Resources
Teaching and learning methods include the following:
Tutor-Led Teaching Sessions (e.g. Lectures)
Through these sessions key knowledge, concepts, interpretations and controversies are introduced and explored.
Seminar/Workshop Sessions
The interaction and discussion between tutor and seminar group in the classroom is a key feature of the course, and there are plenty of opportunities for student-led activities, in which students express, test and develop their knowledge and understanding through critical group discussions.
One-to-One Tutorials
Face-to-face tutorials enable both tutor and individual students to work at the appropriate level and review progress. You will receive formal feedback via tutorials with subject staff when module work is returned and at any other time on request.
Placements
You will work with your tutor to find a suitable placement and it is expected that students will be able to benefit from the established relationship Bath Spa University enjoys with the many local heritage institutions.
The type of work you do will depend on the placement but because of the nature of the heritage sector, it is likely to be extremely varied. You will be able to keep a diary of your experience to enable a critical and evaluative procedure of your placement.
Assessment Methods
Assessment for this course will be varied and range from practical real-time exercises to the more theoretical aspects of the heritage industry. It will include written assignments and presentations, professional practice, personal diaries, business skills tests, reviews and evaluations, Visitor/Tourist Questionnaires; group reports as well as merchandise exercises and website/branding design will also be included.
Entry Requirements
160-200 UCAS Tariff points (eg BC; CD+AS c).
Alternative qualifications welcome, particularly from mature students with a particular interest in, or already working in, heritage issues and settings.