Programme overview
This programme, designed for both professionals and aspiring professionals, reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the heritage industry. You can choose to specialise in built heritage, or museums and cultural heritage.
Built Heritage
Increase your knowledge of historic and modern buildings, how they were built, how to assess their heritage value and how they can be preserved or adapted in our contemporary world. Whether you're based in Auckland or not, you have the freedom to choose between online or in-person learning options.
Museums and Cultural Heritage
Develop your understanding of museums and heritage practices in visual and material culture, with a focus on Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.
- Programme structure
- Subjects
- Entry requirements
- Fees and scholarships
- Key dates
- Postgraduate Adviser
Programme structure
Depending on your entrance qualification you will enrol in either the 120 or 180-point option for your chosen specialisation. You can complete your programme either full- or part-time.
- 120 point: full-time over two semesters, or up to eight semesters part-time
- 180 point: full-time over three semesters, or up to twelve semesters part-time
Built Heritage
120 point
- Core courses (30 points)
- Research project (30 points)
- Elective courses in Architecture, Anthropology, Art History, Sociology or Museums and Cultural Heritage (60 points)
180 point
- Core courses (60 points)
- Research project (30 points)
- Elective courses in Architecture, Anthropology, Art History, Sociology or Museums and Cultural Heritage (90 points)
Read our postgraduate course descriptions.
Museums and Cultural Heritage
120 point
- Core course (30 points)
- Dissertation (45 points)
- Elective courses in Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, English, History, Māori Studies, Sociology or Museums and Cultural Heritage (45 points)
180 point
- Core course (30 points)
- Dissertation (45 points)
- Elective courses in Anthropology, Architecture, Art History, English, History, Māori Studies, Sociology or Museums and Cultural Heritage (105 points)
You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.
Sample programme structure
Master of Heritage Conservation – Built Heritage 180 points
Year 1 120 points
-
- Code:
- HERCONS 700
- Name:
- Heritage Processes
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- HERCONS 701
- Name:
- Heritage Assessment and Conservation Planning
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- HERCONS 702
- Name:
- Conservation of Materials
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- HERCONS 703
- Name:
- Diagnosis and Adaptation
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Elective course
- Type:
- Elective taught courses
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Elective course
- Type:
- Elective taught courses
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Elective course
- Type:
- Elective taught courses
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Elective course
- Type:
- Elective taught courses
- Points:
- 15 pts
Year 2 60 points
-
- Code:
- HERCONS 790
- Name:
- Research Project
- Type:
- Research project
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Name:
- Elective course
- Type:
- Elective taught courses
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Elective course
- Type:
- Elective taught courses
- Points:
- 15 pts
Sample programme structure
Master of Heritage Conservation – Museums and Cultural Heritage 120 points
Year 1 120 points
-
- Code:
- MUSEUMS 704
- Name:
- Exhibiting Cultures
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 30 pts
-
- Name:
- Stage VII course
- Type:
- Elective course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Stage VII course
- Type:
- Elective course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Name:
- Stage VII course
- Type:
- Elective course
- Points:
- 15 pts
-
- Code:
- MUSEUMS 792
- Name:
- Dissertation
- Type:
- Compulsory core course
- Points:
- 45 pts
Subjects available in this programme
2024 entry requirements
My highest qualification is from:
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 120 pointsGrade requiredGPA Grade Point Average 5.0
BE(Hons), BUrbPlan(Hons), BPlan or a postgraduate degree in arts, urban planning or architecture
-
Study optionTaught 180 pointsGrade requiredGPA Grade Point Average 5.0
Bachelor of Architectural Studies or a Bachelor of Arts
Further programme requirements
Select your study option:
You must have completed one of the following with a GPA of 5.0:
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in a relevant major
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Planning
- Bachelor of Urban Planning (Honours)
- Master of Urban Planning
- Master of Urban Planning (Professional)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Architecture
Relevant majors in the BA(Hons) include Anthropology, Art History, English, History, Museums and Cultural Heritage and Sociology.
You must have completed one of the following with a GPA of 5.0:
- Bachelor of Architectural Studies
- Bachelor of Arts with a relevant major
Relevant majors include Anthropology, Art History, English, History, Museums and Cultural Heritage and Sociology.
Programme requirements
Minimum programme requirements
Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.
-
Study optionTaught 120 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0
One year of postgraduate study
-
Study optionTaught 180 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0
An undergraduate degree in architecture, design or arts
-
QualificationIELTS Academic International English Language Testing SystemScore required6.5
No bands less than 6.0
Further programme requirements
Select your study option:
You must have completed at least a one-year postgraduate degree in a related field, such as (but not limited to) architecture, anthropology, art history, civil engineering, design, English, history, museums and cultural heritage, planning or sociology. Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 5.0.
You must have completed an undergraduate degree in architecture or design, or an arts degree with a focus on relevant courses such as (but not limited to) anthropology, art history, English, history, sociology or museums and cultural heritage. Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 5.0.
How much does a Master of Heritage Conservation cost per year?
2023 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$9,051.60*
- International students
- NZ$39,407*
Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.38 per point, estimated at $1,508.40 for full-time study (180 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.
*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.
Find out about financial support information
Scholarships and awards
Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.
Student loans and allowances
Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.
Cost of living
Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.
Key dates
Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.
Application closing dates
- Semester One 2024
- 8 December 2023
Start dates
Here are the start dates for the programme.
Semester One | Starts – 27 February |
---|---|
Ends – 26 June |
Semester One | Starts – 26 February |
---|---|
Ends – 24 June |
Other important dates
See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.
We welcome any questions you may have about this programme. Contact our postgraduate advisers:
Postgraduate Adviser - Built Heritage
Associate Professor Julia Gatley
Email: julia.gatley@auckland.ac.nz
Postgraduate Adviser - Museums and Cultural Heritage
Associate Professor Linda Tyler
Email: l.tyler@auckland.ac.nz
Where could this programme take you?
You can prepare for a career in the heritage industry, or upskill with a formal qualification if you are already working in the industry. You will gain knowledge of the principles and concepts of heritage conservation, an appreciation of relevant theory and practice, and a readiness to contribute to heritage conservation around the world.
Jobs related to this programme
- Building technologist
- Conservation consultant
- Curator
- Head of human history
- Heritage consultant
- Librarian or archivist
- Local authority heritage adviser
- Senior adviser with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Student career planning service
Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.
Do you need help?
Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?
Need to speak to someone?
You can phone us directly.
- Auckland
- 923 5025
- Outside Auckland
- 0800 61 62 63
- International
- +64 9 373 7513