Is the MA Human Civilization Studies an archaeology Master's?

No — it overlaps with archaeology (material culture, comparative civilisations) but is broader. The MA covers heritage practice, public history and comparative civilisation studies alongside the historical record. Students wanting a tightly archaeological MA should look at a CIfA-aligned archaeology degree elsewhere.

Does the MA Human Civilization Studies include collections-based research?

Yes — students with on-campus or visiting access can use British Museum, V&A and British Library collections for dissertation research. Online and distance students can use national digital collections and partner-institution access (arranged at the dissertation-planning stage).

Can the MA Human Civilization Studies be done part-time?

Yes — over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are designed around working museum and heritage professionals, with evening tutorials and a dissertation you can build around your existing professional context.

What does the dissertation on the MA Human Civilization Studies cover?

A 12,000–15,000 word piece on a chosen civilisation or heritage question — past topics have included comparative urbanism in early Mesoamerican societies, repatriation debate at UK national museums, museum interpretation of contested colonial collections, and World Heritage management at a specific site.

Does the MA Human Civilization Studies prepare me for a PhD?

Yes — it is a credible foundation for doctoral study in heritage studies, archaeology, history or museum studies. Dissertation supervisors guide students considering PhD applications, including identifying suitable doctoral schools and constructing competitive proposals.

MA Human Civilization Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Human Civilization Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for museum staff, heritage professionals, researchers and serious students who want a research-grade engagement with the long history of human civilisation — from early urban societies to contemporary heritage practice. You will work across deep history, comparative civilisation studies and current heritage debates, and complete a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation.

London hosts some of the world's leading collections — the British Museum, the V&A, the British Library, the Royal Collection. The course is taught with that resource in mind and prepares you for senior heritage, museum and research roles, or for doctoral study.

Key Features

Deep history core — early urban civilisations, classical, medieval and early modern phases compared.
Comparative civilisation studies module — Mediterranean, East Asian, South Asian, Mesoamerican and African traditions.
Contemporary heritage practice strand covering World Heritage frameworks, repatriation debates, contested objects.
ICOMOS-UK and Heritage Alliance-aligned reading and current museum-practice scholarship.
Industry-led masterclasses from museum curators, heritage programmers, archaeological researchers and policy advisers.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation on a chosen civilisation or heritage question, with collections-based research where appropriate.

What You Will Learn

The MA Human Civilization Studies is structured around the working capabilities senior heritage and civilisation researchers actually need — reading the long historical record critically, navigating current heritage debates honestly, and writing for audiences that span academic, museum and public-policy contexts.

Deep history — early urban societies, classical antiquity, medieval and early modern phases.
Comparative civilisation studies — Mediterranean, East Asian, South Asian, Mesoamerican and African traditions.
Material culture — reading objects, sites and built environment as sources.
Heritage frameworks — UNESCO World Heritage, ICOMOS standards, UK heritage statute.
Contested objects and repatriation — current debates on restitution, museum ethics, source-community engagement.
Museum programming — exhibition design, interpretation, public engagement.
Public history — broadcasting, longform writing, the heritage festival economy.
Dissertation research methods — archival, collections-based, comparative case study.

Who This MA Is For

Museum and heritage professionals wanting research-grade academic underpinning for senior or curatorial roles.
Archaeology, history or heritage graduates seeking a comparative civilisation focus for further work.
Public history practitioners and broadcasters working on long-historical subject matter.
Researchers and policy staff at heritage-related foundations, councils and ministries.

Career Pathways

MA Human Civilization Studies graduates move into senior heritage, museum, research and public-history roles across UK and international employers, with many continuing to doctoral study. Typical roles include:

Heritage Officer (Historic England, National Trust, local-authority heritage team)
Museum Curator (national museum, regional museum, specialist collection)
Archaeological Researcher (university, applied archaeology firm, heritage consultancy)
Public History Programmer (broadcaster history strand, longform podcast, festival)
World Heritage Site Manager (UNESCO-affiliated site, national park, heritage city)
Heritage Policy Adviser (DCMS, ICOMOS-UK, Heritage Alliance)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in heritage studies, archaeology, comparative history or museum studies.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

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.