Heritage (Full-time) (ProfDoc)
The Professional Doctorate in Heritage is designed for those working in or aspiring to work in the heritage sector. This programme offers an advanced level of heritage research, allowing students to critically engage with the challenges facing cultural heritage today. Through a combination of academic study and professional practice, this course provides the opportunity to contribute original research that influences the future of the field.
Heritage is constantly evolving, shaped by historical legacies, contemporary needs, and future possibilities. This programme explores the role of heritage organisations, including museums and archives, in preserving and interpreting heritage in ways that are meaningful and sustainable. It also examines the growing impact of digital heritage, from virtual reconstructions of lost sites to the use of augmented reality in visitor experiences.
The course is structured to support both independent and collaborative research, providing students with the skills to lead in the heritage sector. Research undertaken in this doctorate is expected to make a significant contribution to knowledge, addressing areas such as heritage sustainability, conservation strategies, and the role of heritage in society. Students will engage with critical debates on policy, management, and the ethical responsibilities of working with heritage.
This doctorate is flexible in its delivery, making it accessible for professionals who need to balance study with employment. The option for distance learning in heritage allows students to undertake their research from anywhere in the world while benefiting from expert supervision and a supportive academic community.
Graduates of this programme will be well-positioned for leadership roles in heritage practice, policy, and academia. Whether working with heritage institutions, engaging in public history, or influencing conservation efforts, this course equips students with the expertise to shape the future of cultural heritage.
Course details
- Full-time
- Distance Learning
- English
- Welsh
- Bilingual
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our approach to learning and teaching is designed to foster independent research skills while providing a strong foundation in heritage research and professional practice. This programme combines academic study with real-world application, ensuring that students develop a critical understanding of the heritage sector, engage with contemporary debates, and contribute original insights to the field.
Year 1 focuses on key concepts, theories, and methodologies in cultural heritage. Students explore heritage within political and social contexts, examining its role in shaping communities and identities. Core modules develop research skills, while optional modules allow for specialisation in areas such as digital heritage, museum skills, heritage education, and environmental philosophy.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(15 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(15 credits)
(20 credits)
Years 2 and 3 are dedicated to the Research Project: Heritage, an independent research study that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Students will engage in sustained academic research in heritage, working closely with supervisors to develop a thesis that addresses contemporary challenges in heritage sustainability, policy, and practice. The programme supports flexible study, including distance learning in heritage, allowing students to undertake research in their chosen professional or academic setting.
Compulsory
(360 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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The normal minimum entry requirement for applicants for the degree of Professional Doctorate is:
A 2:1 class honours degree
or
A Master’s degree, relevant to the proposed programme (awarded by a UK or other recognised University or higher education institution or by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA)).
and
At least two years of recent and relevant work experience are desirable. Every application will be assessed on its own merits.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. 
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. 
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. 
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. 
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â€¯
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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The programme draws upon a wide range of assessment techniques, which aim to produce historians with a multifaceted set of skills and knowledge. Modules concentrate in particular on essay-writing, but also include the following assessments: book reviews; reflective journals; posters and source commentaries.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh. â¶Ä¯
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies. 
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed. â¶Ä¯
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. â¶Ä¯
Opportunities to Learn Welsh 
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯â€¯
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Students may spend up to £300 per year on books and additional related materials.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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The programme provides a broad foundation for postgraduate work, by laying particular stress on the methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study, thus acting as training for students who intend to undertake an MPhil or PhD.