School of Museum Studies

Digital Heritage

Digital Heritage
MA/MSc or Postgraduate Diploma

Duration and mode of study

18 months (Postgraduate Diploma) or 24 months (Masters) by distance learning, commencing April 2009.

The course aims to engage students critically and creatively with wide ranging ideas and issues, and to develop a view of digital heritage informed by both theory and the practical methods and skills necessary to become creative and effective new media professionals in the heritage sector.
 

Who is the course for?

The course provides training for:

• heritage professionals with a range of backgrounds who are already working in the sector, and who need to develop their knowledge to be able to manage and deliver digital media
• students seeking to undertake further research in the field
• graduates seeking a career in digital media in the heritage sector
• professionals from sectors (such as libraries and archives) needing to upgrade their skills to be able to exploit digital media more widely in their organisations

The department has a long track record of working with students from many nationalities, and the heritage sector, especially digital heritage, is global in scope.  The course aims to meet the needs of an international student intake. 

All entrants will have a strong interest in IT and are expected to have a  basic aptitude in IT, as the course will provide opportunities to gain hands on experience with a range of technical and methodological skills.  Students must have convenient access to a computer with a broadband connection of at least 512kbit/s, and ideally of 2Mbit/s or higher.  If you already have specific technical or management interests, we will work with you to encourage their development as part of the course if possible, and we may also occasionally draw in specialists from elsewhere to help you in your studies and aid you in gaining the most from the course.
 

Course details

The course has several special features:

• it is interdisciplinary, drawing on a wide range of expertise to cover a curriculum ranging from historical survey to practical design, and from philosophical critique to technical production
• in its Web-presence and Spring Schools, projects, case studies and discussion groups, the course provides both on-line and on-site venues to network and debate with leading practitioners from exemplary institutions.
• it is at the centre of, and helping to shape, an emerging discipline - one of only a few courses which locate themselves specifically at the nexus of digital media and heritage
   

Programme structure

Module 1 – Culture, Media and Digitality

Many of the contexts and challenges faced by heritage institutions are the result of rapid changes at the nexus of society and technology.  This module relates those changes to heritage.

It introduces digital media and heritage, and looks more widely at future heritage (digital media and on-line living).  It will offer units defining Digital Heritage and historicising, theorising, and mapping Digital Heritage.  Finally, in looking at the Object, the  Visit, the Narrative and the Institution, the module examines the implications of digital media and introduces themes which run through the course.
 

Module 2 – Information, Collections and Preservation

Collection, preservation and exhibiting content are at the centre of heritage activity.  This module looks at the standards and practices relating to digital media.

It looks at Knowledge Management as a way of framing views of information; collecting and collections; documentation standards and documentation; database theory and data modelling; collections management and content management systems; the legal and ethical implications of managing data; digital preservation; information networks and heritage; semantics, the Semantic Web and Web 3.0; and tagging and folksonomies. 
 

Module 3 – Users, Design and Interactivity

The successful design of digital media products often depends on an engagement with users – issues such as user centred design, HCI, evaluation and access are often key.

Module 3 looks at communication theory and practice; visitor  studies in a digital context; technology, interaction, HCI, user-centred design methods, design lifecycles and prototyping; design theory and designing with digital media; and access for all.  It will address digital heritage as: located and mobile; ambient and pervasive; participatory and user-generated; intelligent and responsive; and immersive (3D gaming, simulation).
 

Module 4 – Production, Management and Sustainability

Ultimately, delivering digital media projects depends on the organisation’s ability to develop effective strategies and master the processes and techniques to ensure success.

This module explores organisation, and the direction and management of museums; organisations, people and skills; and organisations, change management and advocacy.  Further units will look at strategy and ideation; the profession and practice of project management, and its deployment in heritage projects; commissioning, tendering and design; evaluation post delivery; marketing and e-commerce; and sustainability and digital futures.
 

Dissertation

A dissertation, maximum 15.000 words, on a related subject of your choice will lead to the award of an MA or MSc.
 

Assessment

The four core modules are assessed by a carefully designed, broad range of assignments including essays, project work, reports, briefs and evaluations, and practical exercises.
 

Learning resources

For each module of study you will receive a pack of learning materials. The materials are sent from the School of Museum Studies and will be delivered to your.  Materials include specially designed study guides, and key books and articles.  You will also have access to wide a range of resources provided via the University’s VLE (Blackboard).  The module pack and online resources will provide you with all you need to pass the module successfully (excepting any research data you may need to collect as part of the course).
 

Student Support

Students are supported by experienced and committed tutors from within the Department and we may also occasionally draw in specialists from elsewhere to help you in your studies and aid you in gaining the most from the course.  You will receive one-to-one support from module tutors via post, fax, email and/or telephone.  There are optional ‘tutorials’ for most modules, on which you will receive helpful feedback from your tutor. You will also receive constructive feedback on all assessed assignments.

Pastorally, you will be assigned a tutor who will remain a constant point of contact throughout your studies and who will provide pastoral care and support should you need it. The University also has a range of student support services to help students when more specialist advice is needed.
 

Entry Requirements

A first or second class honours degree in a relevant subject from a recognised University, and clear evidence of vocational intention and aptitude. 

An access route is available for applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work experience (minimum 5 years) and proven ability to work at postgraduate level.

All entrants will have a strong interest in IT and are expected to have a basic aptitude in IT.
Students must have convenient access to a computer with a broadband connection of at least 512kbit/s, and ideally of 2Mbit/s or higher.

If English is not your first language then you will need to provide evidence of proficiency in written and spoken English. The normal minimum requirement for admission onto one of the programmes is an overall score of 6. 5 on the British Council IELTS test or 600 on the TOEFL test. The British Council organises regular language tests in most countries.

Fees

For entry in the academic year 2009/10 the course fees for distance learning are as follows:

UK and EU students - £5,650 for the complete course (£2,825 per year)
International students - £9,450 (£4,725 per year)
 

How to apply

This programme accepts two intakes of students in April and October every year. Applicants are strongly advised to apply no later than one month before the course start date. To obtain the information/application pack for our PG Dip/MA/MSc programmes, please follow this link https://wads.le.ac.uk/marketing/enquiry.aspx and enter your details.

To apply online please use the following link:

Diploma,MSc or MA in Digital Heritage (you will be allowed to confirm/change (Diploma, MSc or MA) this later on in the course)

Contacts

If you have general enquiries or questions about distance learning courses at Leicester contact:

Christine Cheesman - Admissions Secretary
e-mail: cmc17@le.ac.uk
School of Museum Studies
University of Leicester
Museum Studies Building
19 University Road
Leicester LE1 7RF
U.K.

Tel: +44 (0)116 252 3963
Fax: +44 (0)116 252 3960
 

If you have specific questions or wish to discuss the content of this programme in further detail please contact:

Dr. Ross Parry - Programme Director for Digital Heritage
email: rdp5@le.ac.uk
School of Museum Studies
103-105 Princess Road East
Leicester LE1 7LG
tel. +44 (0)116 252 3963
fax. +44 (0)116 252 3960

 

Back to top