Cultural Heritage MA by Research/PhD (On-Campus or by Distance Learning)

The Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage (IIICH), based at the University of Birmingham, takes a cross-disciplinary approach to the study of heritage.

The IIICH draws on a global network of researchers and practitioners, as well as its long established links with the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site and one of the World’s largest independent museums run by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust.

We offer promising candidates the opportunity to carry out research in all aspects of cultural heritage, heritage management and related areas and welcome ideas for research which are innovative, challenging and which push at the boundaries of the cultural heritage field.

 
Dr John Carman

Dr John Carman

“Cultural heritage is a global social fact – everyone in the world can claim at least one heritage as theirs – but we understand the nature of heritage very poorly. Anything can become heritage, but not everything is: the processes of heritage creation and maintenance are at once evident but also opaque. Our researchers are at the cutting edge of the developing discipline of global Cultural Heritage Studies and provide essential insights into an aspect of our contemporary world”

Course details

A PhD is awarded for the outcomes of intensive, independent study that demonstrates an original and significant contribution to knowledge in your chosen subject. You will be assessed at the end of the programme by a thesis of 80,000 words which will need to be deemed suitable for publication, in whole or in part in a learned journal or equivalent by your examiners. You will need to defend your thesis and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of your subject at a viva voce (oral examination) before a panel of expert examiners.

An MA by Research is a research-based Masters programme assessed by a thesis of 40,000 words. An oral examination may be held at the discretion of the examiners.

Unlike our postgraduate taught programmes, there are no formal lectures or seminars in a PhD or MA by Research, and your work is not formally examined until after your thesis has been submitted. Instead, our postgraduate research programmes provide you with the opportunity to undertake research under the expert guidance of a primary supervisor, co-supervisor and mentor, supported by complementary research training.

Find out more about what to expect from a PhD/MA by Research.

PhD Study as a Visiting Scholar - Researchers undertaking PhDs from universities elsewhere in the world are able to spend short periods of time at the IIICH through our Visiting Scholar’s Programme.

Distance learning

You can study an MA by Research or PhD programme on campus or by distance learning. Please note that if you are studying with us by distance learning, the programme includes a fully-funded annual visit to campus for each full year of your programme (every two years for part-time students).

For more information on distance learning including answers to frequently asked questions, student experiences and funding opportunities, please see our distance learning website. 

Why study this course

  • Multi-disciplinary approach: The field of cultural heritage is an important and growing field of interest. It is multi-disciplinary in its approach, global in scope and covers a diverse range of issues. Studying for a research degree with us allows you to examine a subject in depth while gaining necessary research skills and becoming an active member of the IIICH.
  • Excellent facilities: Our research students come from all over the world and play an important role in developing our collective understanding of the field of cultural heritage. We also have excellent facilities to support our researchers. The University of Birmingham library is one of the UK’s foremost libraries and is an incredible resource offering links with many more international libraries. An ever growing electronic collection of resources – books, periodicals, databases - is available via the campus network and externally through the internet. Because we have been active in the study of cultural heritage for many years now, we offer an excellent specialist collection.
  • International partners: For researchers undertaking archive work, the IIICH through its partners, has access to specialist archives through the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust Library, with its international collections relating to industrial heritage and the decorative arts, the University’s Special Collections and Archives which consist of approximately 120,000 pre-1850 books dating from 1471 and some 3 million manuscripts. Through our networks we also have links with many museums and archives around the world.
  • Global networks: As researchers of the IIICH you are also encouraged to get involved in the organisation of research related events and to benefit from our global networks of academics, policy makers and practitioners. You will have the opportunity to take part in – and assist in organising – international conferences hosted by IIICH and its staff, and to participate in producing our in-house online journal Furnace which is managed and edited by our graduate researchers. Such activities are guaranteed to assist you in developing relevant skills and also open up opportunities for future employment.

Fees and funding

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2019/20 are as follows:

  • UK/EU: £4,320 full-time; £2,160 part-time*
  • International: £17,040 full-time; £8,520 part-time

The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning programme fee also includes a fully-funded visit to campus for each full year of the programme.

The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

* For UK/EU postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2019.

Fee status

Eligibility for UK/EU or international fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students.

For EU students applying for the 2020/21 academic year

The UK Government has confirmed that EU students will continue to be eligible for 'home fee status' for entry in September 2020, and will continue to have access to financial support available via student loans for the duration of their course. For more information take a look at the gov.uk website.

Paying your fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. To discover whether you are eligible for any award across the University, and to start your funding application, please visit the University's Postgraduate funding database.

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

Entry requirements

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

  • For MRes and MA by Research programmes, entry to our programmes usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification if you were educated outside the UK.
  • Applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above (or its international equivalent).

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have are normally taken into account, and in some cases, form an integral part of the entrance requirements.

If you are applying for distance learning research programmes, you will also be required to demonstrate that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

If your qualifications are non-standard or different from the entry requirements stated here, please contact the admissions tutor.

International students

Academic requirements: We accept a range of qualifications from different countries - our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements: standard language requirements apply for this course - IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, or PTE with 59 in all four skills. If you are made an offer of a place to study and you do not meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course - if you successfully complete the course, you will be able to fulfil the language requirement without retaking a language qualification.

Learn more about international entry requirements

How to apply

Application deadlines

Postgraduate research can start at any time during the year, but it is important to allow time for us to review your application and communicate a decision. If you wish to start in September, we would recommend that you aim to submit your application and supporting documents by 1 July 2019.

Distance learning students will attend a residential visit in September or January, and those students wishing to attend the September residential are also encouraged to apply by 1 July 2019. The visit will take place at the end of September/beginning of October and you will receive further details once you have accepted your offer.

Additional guidance for applicants to the PhD Distance Learning study mode.

Before you make your application

Please refer to our six step process on applying for PhD, MA by Research and MRes opportunities for Arts subject areas, which includes detailed advice on research proposals and how to write them.

You may also wish to register your interest with us to receive regular news and updates on postgraduate life within this Department and the wider University.

Making your application

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

OverviewResearch interests

Our research themes, in which we are able to offer expertise, are not intended to be rigid as we recognise the wide spectrum of interpretations of cultural heritage, its cross-disciplinary nature and its international relevance.

We welcome ideas for research which are innovative, challenging and which push at the boundaries of the many dimensions of cultural heritage. We will work with you to ensure that your research topic is ‘do-able’ and will provide maximum interest and impact for you, in line with your future career aspirations. 

For details of potential supervisors, please browse the profiles of our academic staff.

You may also like to browse our research themes of interest. These are broad in scope and allow for your interests to be developed:

Related research

Course detailsEmployability

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for employment and this will be further enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University.

The University's Careers Network provides advice and information specifically for postgraduates that will help you to develop an effective career and skills development strategy, and to make the most of your time with us at the University. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated careers and employability team to deliver tailored programmes of careers events and local support.

You will have opportunities to: meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs; attend employer presentations and skills workshops; receive individual guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique; and access to comprehensive listings of hundreds of graduate jobs and work experience opportunities.

You will also be able to access our full range of careers support for up to two years after graduation.

Postgraduate employability: Cultural Heritage

Graduates from the Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage can boast a wide combination of skills that can be applied to a number of careers, including museums work, conservation and regeneration, the management of historic buildings and landscapes, and cultural tourism.

Over the past five years, 97% of our postgraduates were in work and/or further study six months after graduation. Employers that our graduates have gone on to work for include: Birmingham Museums Trust; National Trust; Canal and River Trust; English Heritage; Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust; and Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

Research interestsStudent life

Birmingham has been transformed into one of Europe's most exciting cities. It is more than somewhere to study; it is somewhere to build a successful future.

Get involved

The Guild of Students hosts over 250 student groups and societies to suit a wide range of interests. These include the Postgraduate and Mature Students Association which runs a regular and varied programme of events specifically tailored to postgraduate students.

In addition, you will find that each Department runs its own social activities, research fora and student groups.

Accommodation

We offer accommodation for postgraduates on or near to campus, although many of our students also choose to live privately in student accommodation, shared houses or flats. If you do choose to live in private accommodation, the University has dedicated support services to help you to find properties from accredited landlords.

The City of Birmingham

One of Europe's most exciting destinations, Birmingham is brimming with life and cultures, making it a wonderful place to live, study and work. Our students fall in love with the city - around 40% of our graduates choose to make Birmingham their home.

Employability