Is the Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies an archaeology qualification?

No, though it includes archaeology where it intersects heritage practice. The Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies covers heritage management, public history, conservation principles and policy. Students wanting a pure archaeology qualification should look at archaeology-specific programmes at partner universities.

Does the Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies cover decolonising practice?

Yes. Contested heritage, decolonising practice, restitution debates and community engagement are taught as core content rather than peripheral. The Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies treats these as live working questions for UK and international heritage practitioners.

Can I take the Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies online?

Yes. The online route runs live cohort sessions, recorded site walk-throughs and tutor-marked work on the same syllabus as on-campus. Distance learners follow a structured fortnightly deadline schedule with weekly tutor contact and supervision on the independent project.

What kind of independent project will I do on the Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies?

An 8,000–10,000 word project on a heritage question agreed with your supervisor. Recent students have worked on community engagement at regional heritage sites, World Heritage management challenges, restitution case studies and accessibility programmes at major UK museums.

Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a fifteen-to-eighteen-month UK qualification for heritage practitioners, museum staff and public-history professionals ready to step up to near-degree-level credentialled work. You will study heritage management frameworks, conservation principles, public-history practice and the policy landscape governing UK and international heritage sites — and complete an independent project on a heritage question of your choice.

This Higher Diploma is grounded in the working life of UK heritage institutions. The Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies is built around Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, ICOMOS-UK and Heritage Alliance frameworks, and prepares graduates for senior practitioner roles and direct entry to a Bachelor's final year.

Key Features

Near-degree-level UK qualification with a direct route into the final year of a Bachelor's degree.
Heritage management module — site planning, visitor management, governance and funding.
Conservation principles — ethics, materials, intervention, documentation standards.
Public history strand — interpretation, accessibility, contested heritage, decolonising practice.
Three study modes — on-campus with London site visits, online with live cohort sessions, or distance learning with structured deadlines.
Independent project of 8,000–10,000 words on a heritage question agreed with your supervisor.

What You Will Learn

The Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies is structured around the working tasks of a senior heritage practitioner — managing a site, interpreting it for visitors, navigating conservation decisions, working with regulators and funders. You graduate able to plan a heritage programme, write a credible interpretation strategy, and contribute to senior heritage decision-making.

Foundations of heritage studies — disciplinary history, current debates, the UK heritage landscape.
Heritage management — site planning, visitor management, governance, funding.
Conservation principles — ethics, materials, intervention, documentation.
Public history and interpretation — accessibility, audience research, learning programmes.
Contested heritage — decolonising practice, restitution debates, community engagement.
Heritage law and policy — UK frameworks, World Heritage system, international agreements.
Research methods — archival, oral history, material culture analysis.
Project planning and evaluation — heritage-specific tools and funder expectations.

Who This Higher Diploma Is For

Advanced Diploma graduates in heritage, history or related humanities stepping up to senior credentialled work.
Working museum, archive and heritage-site staff wanting a near-degree credential for promotion.
Civil-society and community heritage workers seeking structured training.
Career-changers from teaching, journalism or arts management moving into heritage roles.

Career Pathways

The Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies positions graduates for senior practitioner and management-track heritage roles. Typical roles include:

Heritage Officer (local authority, national heritage body, charity)
Museum Curator (after several years of practice in collections)
Archaeological Researcher (consultancy, public body)
Public History Programmer (museum, trust, heritage site)
World Heritage Site Manager (after senior-track experience)
Heritage Policy Adviser (national body, regulator)

Graduates progress directly into the final year of a UK BA in Heritage Studies, History or Cultural Studies at a partner university.

Entry Requirements

An Advanced Diploma (Level 5) or equivalent in heritage, history or a related subject, OR a Diploma plus two years of relevant work experience.
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement and CV; heritage-sector experience is welcome.
Mature applicants (25+) without standard qualifications may apply with significant senior-track heritage work experience.

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.