Fast track your career in the museum and heritage sector
Get the practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and sector experience you need to work as a museum and heritage professional.
Join a programme that's an integral part of New Zealand’s museum and heritage sector. It’s been designed for and with the sector to give you the professional development you need for a career in GLAM—galleries, libraries, archives, and museums—or in heritage management.
Take advantage of Wellington's rich cultural resources. You’ll head out on numerous field trips and meet with experts from local organisations, as well as from academics with strong local and international networks, and highly qualified professionals drawn from the sector.
Who can study for this qualification
The MMHP is suitable for people looking to start a career in galleries, libraries, archives, and museums, or as a change from their existing career.
You’ll need a Bachelor’s degree with at least a B grade average in 60 points of 300-level courses in the majoring subject or relevant area of study.
Our Postgraduate Museum and Heritage Studies qualifications
We offer three Postgraduate Museum and Heritage Studies qualifications. These are staircased so that courses completed for each qualification can count towards the next step.
The Master of Museum and Heritage Practice involves learning on the job during a placement. You'll also get the opportunity for further professional training and experience through a longer internship.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Practice allows you to do in-depth study with fewer courses than the Master's.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Museum and Heritage Practice is an opportunity for specialised professional development and can be a step towards higher study. It includes four courses.
What you’ll learn
Learn on the job during a placement with one of the dozens of organisations involved with the programme. If you're doing the MMHP, you'll also have the opportunity for advanced professional training and work experience through a longer internship.
You’ll get practical experience, make valuable contacts, and learn from working professionals.
Learn the theory
You’ll also learn about the theory, history, role, and activities, of galleries, libraries, archives, and museums.
How you’ll study
Students studying each of the three qualifications do the core courses:
- two introductory courses
- two practicum courses—including a 120-hour placement.
Studying full time, you'll complete the MMHP over three trimesters, which is one year.
Part A
- If you're doing either a MMHP or PGDipMHP, you'll choose an additional 60 points from approved courses.
- The introductory courses, practicums, and approved courses are normally done in Trimester 1 and 2. They make up Part 1 of the MMHP.
Part B
For Part B of the MMHP, you’ll do either:
- a research essay and a project or
- an internship—600-hour placement.
Part-time study
If you're a domestic student, you can study the MMHP over a maximum of four years.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MMHP degree shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area with at least a B grade average or better in 60 points of 300-level courses in the majoring subject or relevant area of study; and
(ii) been accepted by the Board of Studies as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement a(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MMHP
2. The course of study for the MMHP shall consist of courses worth at least 180 points, including:
Part 1: MHST 501–504; 60 points from MHST 505–510, Special Topic: Exhibition Studies (MHST 520), Special Topic (MHST 521), MHST 523, MHST 524, MHST 526–530 or other electives approved by the programme director
Part 2: Either (i) Research Essay (MHST 518) and 519 or (ii) Museum and Heritage Internship (MHST 525).
3. (a) A candidate shall normally complete the requirements of the MMHP within four years of first enrolling.
(b) The associate dean may extend the maximum period specified in (a).
4. (b) A candidate who has been awarded the PGCertMHP or PGDipMHP shall abandon that qualification on being awarded the MMHP.
Applying to study
When you enrol you'll need to include
- your CV showing relevant experience
- a writing sample of at least 3,000 words, such as an essay from an undergraduate course
- a personal statement that includes:
- what you hope to gain from the programme
- why you think you should be accepted.
Information session and interview
You'll also need to come to an information session, which will include an informal interview.
- Monday 9 November 2026
- 10am Stout Research Centre for NZ Studies, 12 Waiteata Road, Kelburn Campus.
The session will start with a presentation from us, followed by morning tea and then interviews. Current students will also meet with you and show you around.
The interview will give you a chance to meet the staff on your own and for them to hear from you about why you are applying.
Globally ranked
Our History subjects are ranked in the top 200 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Future careers
Past students have been snapped up for a wide range of roles in the sector, including:
- exhibition developer
- collection manager
- gallery manager
- curator
- researcher
- registrar
- interpreter
- educator.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Postgraduate Museum and Heritage Studies
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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The Cliff Whiting Memorial Scholarship will support a student studying a full-time taught Masters in Museum and Heritage Studies in their final trimester at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Postgraduate Museum and Heritage Studies
-
The Cliff Whiting Memorial Scholarship will support a student studying a full-time taught Masters in Museum and Heritage Studies in their final trimester at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Why Wellington
The Stout Research Centre for New Zealand Studies was established in 1984 to encourage interdisciplinary, innovative research approaches in New Zealand history, society, and culture. We have close relationships with many national and regional cultural organisations.
The Centre is home to our Postgraduate Museum and Heritage Studies programme as well as five research projects dedicated to Aotearoa New Zealand history:
Beyond Museum Cases: Māori Practice as Cultural Pedagogy
Security and Surveillance Project
The Missing Link: New Zealand European/Pākehā family memory
Transnational Identity under Observation
Treaty of Waitangi Research.
As the capital, Wellington sits at the heart of national decisions around commemorating, remembering, and reflecting on the past. Our city also hosts Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important cultural and historical records, which you can access as part of your research. Here, you’ll find:
Manatū Toanga | Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Te Papa Tongarewa | Museum of New Zealand
Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa | National Library
Te Rōpū Whakamana i te Tiriti o Waitangi | Waitangi Tribunal
Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga | Archives New Zealand
Te Tari Whakatau | Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana.
Further research or study
You normally need to have a Master of Arts by thesis to apply to do a PhD. You can talk to the programme director to find out what extra study you'll need to do to qualify.
Academic staff research areas
Conal McCarthy
Professor of Museum and Heritage Studies
Lee Davidson
Associate Professor
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.