Deakin University in Melbourne and Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) are internationally recognised as two leading institutions in the field of heritage and museum education. Following more than ten years of fruitful academic collaboration and in view of their common educational goals, the two universities have developed a Dual Award Program. Is this the right course for you? Check out some of our alumni stories to see where the dual award program could take you.
Two Master degrees
The dual award program results in two degrees: Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies from Deakin, and Master of World Heritage from BTU. The BTU degree focuses on World Heritage management; the Deakin program encompasses cultural heritage in three interlinked formats: places, objects and collections and intangible cultural heritage. Both courses are recognised world leaders in these fields of heritage education.
The aim is to educate museum and heritage management specialists with cross-sectoral knowledge. They will be able to identify, assess, protect, manage and promote cultural heritage objects, collections, sites and archives, with a special focus on intangible heritage knowledge and practices.
Employers in the museum and heritage fields are increasingly looking at postgraduate study for entry into the profession. The dual award programs at Deakin University and BTU provide the skills, knowledge and experiences you need for employment in this diverse sector. Your international exposure brings valuable perspectives: the standing of both universities with UNESCO adds benefits to your heritage education.
Gaining practical experience is vital for finding employment. Many of our students who are not already in the sector undertake volunteering and internships to build up job experience. A group internship in Melbourne and a study project in Cottbus are built into the dual award, underlining the development of teamwork talents in an industry environment.
Dual award graduates can find employment as practitioners in museums, heritage institutions, government agencies, private corporations, community organisations, NGOs and in private practice. Typical job titles include: curator, heritage officer, site manager, collections manager, registrar, public programs officer, interpretation officer, researcher and project officer.
But there are more roles than these. Museums and heritage agencies also need marketers, web designers, community engagement specialists, collection managers, travelling exhibition coordinators, editors, policy development/analysis, legal counsel, field rangers, conservators, financial controllers, and volunteer-managers.
The dual award program
- Integrates two cutting-edge Master’s programs: Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies at Deakin University, and World Heritage Studies at BTU. Both are recognised as sector leaders, combining the academic strengths of each institution into a complementary curricular structure.
- Broadens professional perspectives by facilitating fieldwork in different environments via practical study projects in Germany and Australia.
- Offers students an international learning experience, and exposure to both German and Australian learning values.
- Conveys cross-cultural communication skills.
Admission requirements
- Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline such as history, geography, archaeology, art history, architecture, planning, cultural studies, sociology.
- English language proficiency. both courses are taught in English (including the components in Germany).
Application procedure
Students intending to study in the dual award program apply for it as part of their application for the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies
Expressions of Interest for the places in the next round of the dual award program will in November. Applicants will generally be informed of the outcomes by December. Please see ‘How to Apply’ to lodge your Expression of Interest.
Selection criteria
The maximum number of students to be enrolled in the dual award program is fixed at 5 per year for each institution. Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Academic and professional achievements;
- Motivation to join the program, including alignment with future professional and/or research goals;
- Previous heritage-related experience, internships, volunteer work, professional work;
- Interest in and exposure to diverse cultural experiences.
Please contact Associate Professor Steven Cooke for more details
Tel: + 61 (0) 3 9244 6827
Email: [email protected]