Fast track your career in the museum and heritage sector
Develop your research and professional skills, and learn about topics including museum history, theory and practice. Get deep insights into the history, theory, and contemporary practice of heritage, tourism, and leisure.
The course has been developed with professionals from the sector—taught in partnership with national organisations like Te Papa Tongarewa and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Many of our graduates are now working within the industry in New Zealand and overseas—in everything from small local spaces, and museums, to major national organisations.
Immerse yourself in a rich, scholarly community
You’ll be based at our Stout Centre for New Zealand Studies, a stand-alone cottage on Wai-te-ata Road with a supportive and collaborative environment for postgraduate students.
We host regular seminars with academics from across the motu who examine topics in Postgraduate New Zealand Studies. We’re home to the JD Stout Fellowship and host visiting scholars from overseas.
Choose your study path
Choose qualification best suits you according to your career goals, time commitments and eligibility.
These qualifications are ‘staircased’—they allow movement in both directions. If you begin by enrolling in the Certificate or Diploma programme, you may be able to continue on to complete a Master's degree. Or if you enrol in the Master's but can't complete it for some reason, you may have completed enough courses to graduate with the Certificate or Diploma.
Master of Museum and Heritage Practice
The Master of Museum and Heritage Practice involves learning on the job during a placement. You'll have the opportunity to work with one of dozens of organisations involved with the programme. You'll also get the opportunity for further professional training and experience through a longer internship.
You can apply with a Bachelor’s degree or extensive work experience.
Postgraduate Diploma in Museum and Heritage Practice
A Postgraduate Diploma allows you to do in-depth study with fewer courses than the MMHP. If you study full time, you'll complete the 120-point Diploma in 10 to 12 months, which is between two and three trimesters.
If you’re a domestic student, you can study part time and complete your Diploma in up to two years.
Postgraduate Certificate in Museum and Heritage Practice
Shorter than a Postgraduate Diploma, this qualification is an opportunity for specialised professional development and can be a step towards higher study. It includes four courses.
The Postgraduate Certificate can only be studied part time, you'll complete your Certificate in around 10 months.
Independent research
If you want to focus on independent research, you can do the Postgraduate Certificate in Museum and Heritage Practice and then do the Master of Arts in Museum and Heritage Studies.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Museum and Heritage Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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.
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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This Scholarship was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
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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 are 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.
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.