Duration
Full-time: Varies
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2024 Semester One – 26 February
2025 Semester One – 3 March
Available locations
City
Points
120 or 180
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught options available

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

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.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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 option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    BE(Hons), BUrbPlan(Hons), BPlan or a postgraduate degree in arts, urban planning or architecture

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelor of Architectural Studies or a Bachelor of Arts

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

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 option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    One year of postgraduate study

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree in architecture, design or arts

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

    No bands less than 6.0

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

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.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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.

See course fees for each faculty

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.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

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

Further study options

See all study options

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.

Experience the University

Graduate shines light on early Auckland benefactor

Andrew McKay explored the story of early Auckland benefactor James Mackelvie for his Master of Heritage Conservation.

Read more

Bringing ancient taonga to 21st-century eyes

Dr Ngarino Ellis (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) unearths historical Māori art to inspire and enrich contemporary art practice.

Read more

Do you need help?

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923 5025
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0800 61 62 63
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+64 9 373 7513