World Heritage Management & Conservation

The UCD Masters Programme in World Heritage Management & Conservation has been conceptualized to address the skills and knowledge required to help heritage managers in solving heritage conservation and management problems, enabling them to directly contribute to the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals



The only World Heritage Management course in Ireland and one of the first of its kind in the world.



A multidisciplinary programme, the course recognises that heritage encompasses the natural, cultural, tangible, intangible and moveable.



An innovative programme, we strive to demonstrate the shared challenges faced by heritage locally, nationally and internationally and provide practical training in how to address them.



Visit Ireland's most iconic World Heritage Site, Bru na Boinne.



Heritage managers play a significant role in planning site management, ensuring sustainability, contributing to sustainable development and transforming the function of heritage in the life of the community. The UCD Masters Programme in World Heritage Management & Conservation is aimed at students who wish to develop their knowledge and skills to excel at managing cultural and natural heritage sites and protected areas. We value motivated students who show a commitment and enthusiasm for tackling conservation challenges and recognise their responsibility as global citizens.



As a multi-disciplinary subject, heritage studies incorporates a wide diversity of heritage resources valued differently by many stakeholders. At UCD we recognise heritage encompasses natural, cultural, tangible, intangible and moveable assets that face many challenges. A key issue in the management of these resources is that cultural and natural features are treated separately even though they face similar challenges and are functionally interlinked. Our unique programme strives to account for these interlinkages in the management of cultural and natural heritages by removing dichotomy and considering them holistically. In doing so we can welcome students from diverse backgrounds and offer you the skills and expertise needed to deal with heritage management and conservation as a whole.



This innovative programme demonstrates the shared challenges to heritage conservation locally, nationally and internationally and provides practical training in how to address them. Furthermore, in recognition of the fact that the importance of heritage is interpreted through how it is valued, we also provide training in how to recognise stakeholders, collate and accommodate their perspectives and mediate and resolve conflict where stakeholders have conflicting interests.



This will be achieved through the use of in-depth globally sourced case studies, national and international field trips and classroom-based training with visiting speakers enabling students to observe best practices in heritage management. Our interactive and supportive learning environment will encourage students to develop their capacity for critical thinking, problem solving, project management and teamwork. The assessment strategy is designed to replicate real-life scenarios and include tasks such as role play, compiling or evaluating management and communication plans, using maps and IT software to assist in inventorying and monitoring as well as critically assessing sustainability at heritage sites.

Stage 1 Core Modules

ARCH41010 Heritage Marketing & Management Autumn 5

ARCH41030 Conflict Resolution & Heritage Autumn 5

ARCH41240 Heritage Management Challenges Autumn 10

ARCH41250 Nature & Culture: A bridge Autumn 10

ARCH41220 Heritage Management in Practice Spring 5

ARCH41460 Dissertation (Taught) Spring 5

ARCH41470 MSc Dissertation (Research) Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - A) Min 2 of:



Students should choose two option modules (i.e. a total of 20 credits of option modules should be chosen).

ARCH41340 GIS, Cultural Heritage and Spatial Thinking Spring 10

ARCH41380 Urban Histories and Heritages Spring 10

IRFL40110 Aspects of Ethnology Spring 10

LAW42040 Culture, Heritage and Human Rights Spring 10

Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a lower second class honours degree or the international equivalent. However, in special circumstances, relevant work experience may be taken into account.



Applicants with diverse academic backgrounds including Archaeology, Architecture, Geography, Biology, Arts, Agriculture, Engineering and Economics will be considered.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



Students meeting the programme’s academic entry requirements but not the English language requirements, may enter the programme upon successful completion of UCD’s Pre-Sessional or International Pre-Master’s Pathway programmes. Please see the following link for further information http://www.ucd.ie/alc/programmes/pathways/



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes



Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EEA) applicants: No



The UCD MSc World Heritage Management & Conservation programme is designed to accommodate applicants with a variety of academic qualifications including Archaeology, Architecture, Arts, Agriculture, Biology, Business, Geography, Engineering, Economics and Law. We normally have a diverse group of students with a wide range of experience in different areas of cultural and natural heritage, which creates a dynamic class.

90

1/2 years, FT/PT, On Campus.

MSc World Heritage Management & Conservation (F098) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 7725

nonEU fee per year - € 19900


MSc World Heritage Management & Conservation (F099) Part Time

EU fee per year - € 3865

nonEU fee per year - € 9950


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.

F098 World Heritage Management & Conservation Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught



F099 World Heritage Management & Conservation Master of Science Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

Graduates are building successful careers in the inter-disciplinary field of heritage protection, management and research in Australia, Canada, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, European Union, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Mexico, Uganda, U.K. and the USA.



Employers include national authorities, international organisations,and in the private sector. Graduates have secured positions in World Heritage properties, National Parks, Botanic Gardens and Museums, in senior government positions and positions in education. Examples of roles graduates have obtained include world heritage and protected area manager, heritage officer and education officer, civil servant, natural resources manager, positions in heritage consultancy firms and research and international conservation agencies.