Heritage and Exhibition Design MA



Explore the development of public spaces, civic amenities and heritage sites through applied principles of exhibition and display.

Overview

You will develop a portfolio of work that reflects 21st century Heritage & Exhibition Design. Across three trimesters, you will develop key skills in design for visitor experience and a critical knowledge of museum and heritage sites through applied principles of exhibition design, immersive narrative environments and experiential design. 

You will be introduced to design for museums, heritage trails and blended interpretation, and learn how to design for provocative, playful and immersive educational experiences through applied and live projects.   

You will develop collaborative partnerships within Scotland’s heritage sector to master skills and sensitivity to complex and difficult histories.

Malcom Innes looking at exhibition pieces to assemble.

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Part-time)

Duration:

1 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh is the perfect location for the MA Heritage & Exhibition Design, with the medieval Old Town’s historic buildings and museums, and the Regency New Town’s world-renowned neo-classical buildings. Beyond Edinburgh, we have access to Scotland’s extensive heritage industry with thousands of historic sites and buildings.

Developing exhibition, interpretation and experiential design skills, you will learn how to plan and create interactive user/visitor experiences and installations in key historic areas. With a strong sense of integrity, you will develop an understanding of and sensitivity to the authenticity and preservation of historic sites. Our specialist academic teaching team have extensive portfolios of research and professional practice within the exhibition, culture and heritage sector.

Programme Leader, Dr Kirstie Jamieson is a lecturer and researcher in design for heritage experiences.  She has consultancy experience in both tangible and intangible heritage experience.  Her most recent projects seek a more inclusive, participatory and critical approach to heritage-making.
 
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    How you’ll be taught

     The programme uses practice-based learning, workshops, seminars, lectures, guest speakers and supported on-line learning in which core knowledge and understanding of design are developed and assessed in tandem with their specific application to your own individual projects.
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    Assessments

     Assessment is through studio modules where practice-based student output is collated as a portfolio presentation.
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    Work placement

     The programme offers two modules (Live Project in trimester 1, Research Projects and Entrepreneurship in trimesters 2) where you have the option of working with external partners, which may include some work-based learning.
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    Facilities

     All design programmes in the School of Arts & Creative Industries are delivered in studio learning environments.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Heritage and Exhibition Design?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into Heritage and Exhibition based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £8,300 £8,715
Overseas and EU £17,090 £18,800
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

Graduates from this programme can pursue careers in: 

  • the heritage and museum sector
  • exhibition design
  • interpretation design
Black and white exhibition photography.