Bachelor Of Arts (honours) In Heritage Studies in Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Ireland

Bachelor Of Arts (honours) In Heritage Studies in Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

Heritage includes almost anything that one generation hands down to the next, or anything from the past that people identify with.

It involves the use of the past in the present – in tourist attractions, commemorations, museum exhibitions, conservation plans, national identities, local economies, etc. Today, the historic environment sector supports 40,000 jobs in Ireland and accounts for €1.5 billion revenue annually.

The BA (Honours) in Heritage Studies has an applied focus and is interdisciplinary in nature – linking heritage with history, geography, archaeology, tourism, genealogy, museum studies, folklore, literature, planning, computing, digital media, business and languages.

This programme is particularly appropriate for students wishing to acquire a broader knowledge and understanding of the built, cultural and natural heritages of Ireland, Europe and the wider world.

It will also provide you with an understanding of the role that heritage resource management plays in the safeguarding of archaeological and historic sites, national monuments, architecture, artefacts, archives, cultural landscapes and identities, habitats, flora and fauna.

Students learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials, active learning, class discussions, film viewings, practical learning in computer and language labs, and online learning. There is also a strong emphasis on offsite teaching, with fieldtrips to heritage sites, museums and interpretative centres. Students can do a Work Experience module and can study abroad for one or two semesters.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities exist in the following areas:

• Arts administration
• Antiques and collectibles
• Archaeology
• Archives
• Business
• Charities and NGOs
• Civic trusts
• Civil service
• Community development
• Conservation and restoration
• Creative digital media
• Environmental consultancies
• Family history centres
• Genealogical companies
• Government departments
• GIS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
• Heritage centres and agencies
• Hospitality
• Journalism
• Lecturing
• Leisure
• Libraries
• Local authorities
• Marketing
• Museums
• National parks
• Planning
• Public relations
• Publishing houses
• Research
• Retail outlets
• Rural development
• Start-up enterprises
• Teaching
• Technology companies
• Tour guiding
• Tourism agencies
• Visitor attractions
• World heritage organisations.

Follow-on Studies: 

Graduates of the BA (Honours) in Heritage Studies are recognised worldwide for entry to a wide range of postgraduate courses, including:

• Archaeology
• Archival Studies
• Arts Administration
• Business
• Computing
• Environment, Society and Development
• Geography
• History
• Irish Studies
• Journalism
• Librarianship
• Literature and Languages
• Museum Curatorship
• Planning
• Publishing
• Rural Sustainability
• World Heritage Management and Conservation

Graduates may also apply for entry to GMIT’s Level 9 MA in Heritage Studies (by research). Progression to a Level 10 PhD in Heritage Studies (by research) is also possible.

Essential Information: 

Graduates of the Honours degree are eligible to apply for progression to the Professional Master of Education (Secondary School/Post Primary Teacher Training), on completion of which they are qualified to teach Environmental & Social Studies to Junior Certificate and History to Leaving Certificate. Graduates are also eligible to apply for entry to the Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching), to qualify as a primary teacher.