Program Overview
The MSc in World Heritage Conservation is a part-time, online distance learning program that provides students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in UNESCO World Heritage Convention implementation. Designed for professionals in heritage conservation, the program offers a multidisciplinary approach to both natural and cultural heritage conservation, equipping graduates for managerial and policy positions in this growing field.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc in World Heritage Conservation is a part-time, online, distance learning course designed to equip students with current thinking and professional understanding of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The program aims to provide students with the knowledge base, skills, and confidence to address World Heritage issues and advance their careers in this field.
Key Features:
- The only World Heritage Distance Learning course in Ireland and one of the first of its kind in the world.
- A multidisciplinary program offering modules in natural and cultural heritage.
- Designed for professionals and motivated participants working in areas related to the nomination and conservation of World Heritage Sites.
- A part-time, online, distant learning course with an international focus on heritage conservation.
Program Objectives:
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, its implementation including the processes of inscription and monitoring of World Heritage properties.
- Identify and analyze the role of key actors and instruments in global heritage conservation.
- Understand theory and practice of conserving natural heritage, i.e. species, ecosystems and biodiversity, and cultural heritage, i.e. monuments, sites and landscapes.
- Assessments include critical writing, project work, and reflective study journals to assist students in assessing the development of their own understanding and knowledge of the material presented.
- The course provides for self-directed learning, within a supportive framework facilitated by a variety of media, including lectures, virtual classroom seminars, and discussion boards.
Careers:
- With 190 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, nearly a thousand properties inscribed on the World Heritage List and an expanding number of properties on the Tentative List, all of which face conservation challenges, there is a growing need for professionals who understand how the Convention operates in terms of nomination, monitoring, conservation reporting and mitigation of threats.
- Reflecting the spirit of the Convention, to safeguard natural and cultural heritage through an integrated approach, this program provides graduates with a unique multidisciplinary perspective addressing conservation issues of both natural and cultural heritage.
- Advancement in international conservation for managerial and policy positions in government, agencies, private practices and NGOs. The qualifications will contribute to career development for heritage custodians and stewards, ranging from national heritage and conservation officers to international conservation agencies.
Other:
- The online World Heritage Conservation course is aimed at students who wish to build their knowledge base regarding the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and gain a broader understanding of the issues and policies surrounding the conservation of cultural and natural heritage.
- We value students that are active, motivated, autonomous learners and demonstrate an ability to clearly and effectively communicate their ideas.
- The course considers the needs of a broad spectrum of end-users by enabling them to study remotely and independently in parallel with their personal schedule.
- We aim to provide a learning environment that will encourage students to critically assess heritage conservation concepts and policies and to exchange ideas and experiences with their peers online.
Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme.
