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It’s that time of the year when many people ponder their New Year’s resolutions. If you’re thinking about pursuing further studies in the heritage sector, we’ve got you covered. Below are some of the programmes on offer at the country’s major institutions. If we’ve missed something, let us know and we will update the article. For PhD programmes we suggest you contact each university individually to enquire about options available. Lastly, keep in mind that many institutions have now closed applications for the 2019 academic year, so always confirm relevant deadlines before applying.
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Rhodes University (Times Higher Education (THE) world university ranking not available)
The Department of History offers honours, master’s and doctoral programmes in history (click here to view the Department's website).
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North West University (THE ranking not available)
NWU offers a programme in Historical and Heritage studies (click here to view). It also offers a BA in Heritage and Cultural Tourism Management. Several options are available for those looking to study history at an undergraduate and postgraduate level (click here for details).
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Sol Plaatje University (THE ranking not available)
The School of Humanities offers a one-year Higher Certificate in Heritage Studies (Level 5). Click here to view. Students can also complete a BA and major in Heritage Studies or Archaeology.
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Stellenbosch University (No 301 – 350 on the 2019 THE rankings)
Honours, master's and PhD programmes are on offer through the History Department. Click here to browse the Department's website.
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The South African Institute for Heritage Science and Conservation
The South African Institute for Heritage Science and Conservation is an institution of higher learning which offers an annual postgraduate diploma in technical conservation studies. Click here to view the academic programme.
Entrance to The South African Institute for Heritage Science and Conservation
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University of Cape Town (No. 156 on the 2019 THE world university rankings)
UCT offers a range of courses in African studies, heritage and public culture, archaeology, curatorship and historical studies. The School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics also offers the ever popular M Phil in Conservation of the Built Environment. For those wishing to do a more contained continuing professional development course, the Heritage Resources Management certificate provides a good grounding in heritage conservation of the built environment. Click the headings below to view the relevant websites.
- Postgraduate Diploma in African Studies
- Hons/Master's in African Studies
- Hons/Master's in Heritage and Public Culture
- Coursework Master's in African Studies
- Research Master's in African Studies
- MPhil in Environmental Humanities
- PhD in African Studies
- Hons in Archaeology
- Hons in Archaeology & Environmental Science
- Research Master's in Archaeology
- PhD in Archaeology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Art
- Hons in Curatorship
- Hons/Master's in Art Historical Studies
- MFA in Fine Art
- Research Master's in Fine Art
- PhD in Fine Art
- Hons in Historical Studies
- Research Master's in Historical Studies
- PhD in Historical Studies
School of Architecture, Planning & Geomatics
- M Phil in Conservation of the Built Environment
Continuing Professional Development
- CPD periodically offers a short course in Heritage Resource Management through the School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics.
UCT (Don Shaw)
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University of Fort Hare (THE ranking not available)
Fort Hare offers a postgraduate diploma in archives and records management (click here for details). Honours, master's and PhD programmes are on offer through the Department of History (click here to view the Department's website).
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University of Johannesburg (No 601 – 800 on the 2019 THE rankings)
Students at UJ can opt for honours or master's programmes in historical studies. Click here to browse the website for the Humanities Faculty.
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University of KwaZulu-Natal (No 401 – 500 on the 2019 THE rankings)
UKZN offers a postgraduate diploma in museology and honours and master’s degrees in culture and heritage tourism as well as history. Click the options below for details.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Museology
- BA Honours in Culture and Heritage Tourism
- BA Honours in History
- MA Honours in Culture and Heritage Tourism
- MA Honours in History
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University of Pretoria (No 601 – 800 on the 2019 THE rankings)
Arguably one of the most exciting programmes on offer next year is the new MSocSci in tangible heritage conservation. Other Tuks programmes on offer include honours and master's programmes in archaeology, visual studies, heritage and cultural tourism; and heritage, museum and preservation studies. Click the bullets below for details on each programme.
- BA Honours in Archaeology
- BSocSciHons Heritage and Cultural Tourism
- BSocSciHons Heritage, Museum and Preservation Studies
- BSocSciHons History
- MA Archaeology
- MSocSci Anthropology
- MSocSci Heritage and Cultural Tourism
- MSocSci Heritage and Cultural Tourism (coursework)
- MSocSci Heritage and Museum Studies
- MSocSci Heritage and Museum Studies (coursework)
- MSocSci History
- MSocSci History (coursework)
- MSocSci Tangible Heritage Conservation (coursework)
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University of the Free State (THE ranking not available)
Honours, master's and PhD programmes are on offer through the Department of History. Click here to view the Department's website.
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University of South Africa (No 1001+ on the 2019 THE rankings)
UNISA offers qualifications in archaeology, history and archival science. Follow the links below for more information.
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University of the Western Cape (No 601 – 800 on the 2019 THE rankings)
UWC offers the African Programme in Museum and Heritage Studies at honours and master's level in partnership with the Robben Island Museum (click here to view). An honours or master's in history can also be completed with the Department of History (click here to view website).
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University of the Witwatersrand (No 201 – 250 on the 2019 THE rankings)
At Wits University there is a diverse range of honours and master's programmes on offer, including arts, culture, history, archaeology and heritage History of Art students can also choose from a range of courses on offer including collections management, curating exhibitions and museum education. Click the bullets below for details.
- BA Honours in History
- BA Honours in Archaeology
- BA Honours in Arts, Culture and Heritage Management
- BA Honours in Heritage Studies
- BA Honours in History of Art
- MA in Cultural Policy and Management
- MA in Archaeology
- MA in History
- MA in Heritage
- MA in History of Art
Robert Sobukwe Block at Wits (The Heritage Portal)
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Other options
The South African Qualifications Authority has registered unit standards covering a wide range of topics such as the preservation of heritage objects, sites and resources; sustainable heritage practices; development of products for heritage tourism purposes; control factors causing deterioration in heritage and many more. Visit www.saqa.org.za to search for accredited qualifications, unit standards and training providers.
Email heritage@placematters.co.za if you’d like to comment on the list.
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