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

Our research degrees require you to prepare a thesis on a topic of your choice of up to 40,000 words for the MA by Research or 80,000 words for the PhD, under expert supervision. 

Researchers are normally supervised by teams of two academic staff of the Institute but we are able to call upon a wide-range of University staff expertise and external advisors in order to provide the best possible support. In addition, a full programme of research training is provided through our College Graduate School.

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 2018/19 are as follows:

  • UK/EU: £4,260 full-time; £2,130 part-time
  • International: £16,320 full-time

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.

Fee status

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

We can also confirm that EU students who are already studying at the University of Birmingham or who have an offer to start their studies in the 2018-19 academic year will continue to be charged the UK fee rate applicable at the time, provided this continues to be permitted by UK law. The UK Government has also confirmed that students from the EU applying to courses starting in the 2018-19 academic year will not see any changes to their loan eligibility or fee status. This guarantee will apply for the full duration of the course, even if the course finishes after the UK has left the EU.

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; our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:

How to apply

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

Please note: 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 the end of June.

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

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.

Our research themes of interest are broad in scope and allow for your interests to be developed. They are listed below:

For details of potential supervisors, please browse our staff page HERE

Unique aspects of research with the Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage include:

  • Expertise in all aspects of cultural heritage
  • Interdisciplinary perspectives
  • Direct association with the Ironbridge World Heritage site and its ten museums
  • Close collaboration with heritage research institutes in four continents
  • Extensive links with the heritage sector, nationally and internationally
  • Internationally renowned tutors
  • Free language tuition available
  • Cultural heritage a field of growing importance globally
  • Engagement with international visitors
  • Opportunity for involvement  in conferences and publications
  • Excellent career prospects

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 three years, over 96% 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

In addition to the student groups hosted by the Guild of Students, each school runs its own social activities, research fora, seminars and groups for postgraduates.

Accommodation

Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your new-found independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.

Support in your studies

We offer an Academic Writing Advisory Service, which aims to help your transition to postgraduate research. The service offers guidance on organising your ideas and structuring an argument, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, being clear and coherent and editing your work for academic style and linguistic accuracy. Individual support is provided by a professional academic writing advisor via tutorials or email, as well as through the provision of online materials.

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