Is the BA Heritage Studies a museum-studies degree or a history degree?

It sits between the two. The history and theory of heritage is core, but so is practical curation, interpretation, conservation principles and heritage law. A pure history BA goes deeper into historical method; a museum-studies MA goes deeper into curatorial practice.

Does the BA Heritage Studies include archaeology?

It includes archaeology as part of the material-culture and heritage-site modules — not as a full archaeology degree. Students intending a career in commercial or research archaeology typically combine this BA with a specialist MA or field-school certification.

Can I study the BA Heritage Studies online?

Yes. Online students follow the same curriculum with virtual site visits, recorded lectures and live cohort seminars. Distance students are encouraged to visit local heritage sites and complete fieldwork in their own community.

What does the final-year project on the BA Heritage Studies look like?

An exhibition concept, an interpretation plan for a real site, or a community heritage report — each designed against current professional standards. Students propose their project at the end of year two and develop it under tutor supervision through year three.

Will the BA Heritage Studies help me into a museum role?

Museum jobs are competitive and most require relevant volunteering alongside the degree. The BA Heritage Studies gives you the credential and the project portfolio museums recruit on, and the London site programme builds the networks that matter at entry level.

BA Heritage Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The BA Heritage Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a three-year UK honours degree for students who want to work in heritage, museum, archaeology or cultural-policy contexts. You will study the history and theory of heritage alongside practical curation, interpretation and conservation principles, and produce a final-year project anchored in a real or simulated heritage site, collection or programme.

London is, by any reasonable measure, one of the world's heritage capitals — the British Museum, the V&A, the National Archives, the Tower, Hampton Court, dozens of regional museums. The BA Heritage Studies makes that city your classroom, with regular visits, primary-source sessions and a final project tested against current professional standards.

Key Features

UK honours degree in Heritage Studies — three years full-time, with online and distance routes.
London site programme — regular visits to major and lesser-known UK heritage sites for on-campus students.
Curation and interpretation workshops aligned with Museums Association and ICOMOS-UK guidance.
Heritage law and ethics module covering listed buildings, conservation areas, repatriation, ethical acquisition.
Public history practice — exhibition design, podcasting, longform writing, community-led history.
Final-year project — exhibition concept, heritage interpretation plan, or community heritage report.

What You Will Learn

The BA Heritage Studies is structured around the working practice of someone holding a heritage portfolio — curator, conservation officer, public historian, programme coordinator. You graduate able to read a heritage site or collection critically, design an interpretation that respects both evidence and audience, and navigate the law, ethics and funding context heritage work sits inside.

History and theory of heritage — what counts as heritage, who decides, who pays.
Material culture — objects, sites, landscapes, intangible heritage.
Curation and interpretation — exhibition design, label craft, audience addressing.
Conservation principles — preventive conservation, ethical intervention, documentation standards.
Heritage law and policy — listing, planning, conservation areas, World Heritage frameworks.
Repatriation, restitution and contested heritage — current UK and international practice.
Public history — community-led history, oral history, public engagement.
Heritage management — funding, governance, partnership, audience development.

Who This Course Is For

School leavers wanting a career in museums, heritage sites, archives or cultural-policy roles.
International students seeking a UK heritage degree taught in central London.
Career-changers from teaching, the public sector or the cultural industries entering heritage work.
Volunteers in local museums, archaeology or community heritage wanting a formal credential.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the BA Heritage Studies move into curatorial, conservation, interpretation and management roles across UK heritage and cultural institutions. Typical first or next roles include:

Heritage Officer (local authority, National Trust, English Heritage)
Museum Curator (regional museum, university museum, specialist collection — entry roles)
Archaeological Researcher (commercial archaeology, university research)
Public History Programmer (cultural centre, festival, community trust)
World Heritage Site Manager (UNESCO-designated site — entry roles)
Heritage Interpretation Officer (visitor centre, exhibition team)

Graduates progress to a Master's in Museum Studies, Heritage Management or Public History, or directly into heritage-sector graduate trainee schemes.

Entry Requirements

Three A-Levels at BBC or above (or international equivalent — IB 28 points, BTEC DMM, or accepted national qualification).
GCSE English Language at grade 5 or equivalent English proficiency test.
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
A short personal statement; relevant volunteering experience or a museum/site visit reflection is welcomed.
Mature applicants (21+) without standard qualifications may apply with a portfolio and short interview.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.