Program Overview
The MA Heritage & Exhibition Design program is a one-year (or part-time) program focusing on developing a portfolio in contemporary Heritage & Exhibition Design. The program utilizes a practice-based approach with studio modules and collaborative partnerships within Scotland's heritage sector to master skills and sensitivity to complex histories. Graduates can pursue careers in the heritage and museum sector, exhibition design, and interpretation design.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This program, the MA Heritage & Exhibition Design, is a full-time, one-year program (available part-time) that focuses on developing a portfolio of work reflecting 21st-century Heritage & Exhibition Design. The program aims to equip students with key skills in design for visitor experience and a critical understanding of museum and heritage sites. Students will learn about applied principles of exhibition design, immersive narrative environments, and experiential design. The program covers design for museums, heritage trails, and blended interpretation, teaching students how to design provocative, playful, and immersive educational experiences through applied and live projects. Students will also develop collaborative partnerships within Scotland's heritage sector to master skills and sensitivity to complex and difficult histories.
Assessment:
Assessment is primarily through studio modules, where practice-based student output is collated as a portfolio presentation.
Teaching:
The program utilizes a practice-based learning approach, incorporating workshops, seminars, lectures, guest speakers, and supported online learning. This approach allows for the development and assessment of core knowledge and understanding of design in tandem with their specific application to individual projects.
Careers:
Graduates from this program can pursue careers in:
- The heritage and museum sector
- Exhibition design
- Interpretation design
Other:
- The program is located in Edinburgh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering access to the medieval Old Town's historic buildings and museums, and the Regency New Town's world-renowned neo-classical buildings.
- The program also provides access to Scotland's extensive heritage industry, with thousands of historic sites and buildings.
- The program leader, Dr. Kirstie Jamieson, is a lecturer and researcher in design for heritage experiences with consultancy experience in both tangible and intangible heritage experience. Her recent projects focus on a more inclusive, participatory, and critical approach to heritage-making.
- The program offers two modules (Live Project in trimester 1, Research Projects and Entrepreneurship in trimesters 2) where students have the option of working with external partners, which may include some work-based learning.
- All design programs in the School of Arts & Creative Industries are delivered in studio learning environments.
Tuition fees for 2024/25
Students from 2024/25 2025/26 Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £8,715 £tba Overseas and EU £18,800 £tba 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. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
