Overview
If you have aspirations of working in the heritage and tourism sectors, our dedicated Heritage and Tourism degree is the perfect starting point.
You can learn about heritage, tourism, history, exhibition design, sociology, marketing and environmental studies – as well as the challenges facing the management and promotion of historic and natural environments in Scotland and beyond.
The course is informed by the internationally-recognised expertise of our academic staff and their extensive networks with professional partners, helping to distinguish our programme from other heritage and tourism courses. You can be confident that everything you’re learning is rooted in the latest academic and applied industry thinking, and designed to prepare you for a career in the heritage and tourism sectors. You’ll also apply your skills in real-world settings while you study – further sharpening the skills you’ll put to use when you transition into the exciting professional world of heritage and tourism.
Past students from this degree have been awarded a range of prizes within the Division and Faculty, including the Independent Research Project Prize (for dissertations and heritage portfolios).
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry is unavailable, only those with a suitable HND (or equivalent) for year 3 entry will be considered for this course.
This course is only available for advanced entry, therefore all applicants must have a relevant HND (or equivalent) to start in year 3. Please contact admissions@stir.ac.uk for more details.
How to apply
This course is only open to those with a relevant HND (or equivalent) and are looking to gain entry into year 3.
To request an application form please email admissions@stir.ac.uk outlining the qualifications you currently have and/or sitting this year.
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
This course is only available for advanced entry into year 3, you will join the current students on this course and be taught at the University of Stirling campus for the duration of year 3 and 4.
Course structure
Years 3 and 4
Students have the opportunity to engage in advanced study in specialised areas. There is a core module in year 3 focusing on Heritage Protection. Students also have the opportunity to take modules focusing on Museums, Heritage, Colonialism, Globalisation, Heritage and Identity, Public History, and Interpretation and Exhibition Design. A distinctive aspect of the degree is the opportunity to complete either a Dissertation or a Heritage Portfolio during Year 4. Teaching and learning is informed by the research and expertise of academic staff, and students have the opportunity to create their own specialised pathway drawing on 30-40 option modules from across the University. Further information about modules in years 3 and 4 can be found below.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
You’ll learn through a combination of lectures and small group sessions, as well as gaining valuable insight into the heritage and tourism industries through field trips. A variety of student centred teaching methods and digital platforms are designed to put you at the heart of the learning process, playing an active role in shaping your degree and your future. Our academic staff will support and inspire you with their friendly, approachable manner and their passion for the subject.
Field trips to heritage sites, museums and tourism assets are an important part of the programme. Our teaching and learning engages directly with 'real world' issues and problems illustrated by specific heritage sites, museums and tourism assets. Seeing these first hand is an essential part of your learning. Field trips also provide an exciting arena for discussion and debate, whilst playing an important role in building a cohesive and supportive peer community.
You’ll acquire a wide range of skills and experience a diverse range of assessments, such as examinations, essay writing, workshop reports, oral presentations and exhibition design. In Year 4, you will undertake an independent, supervised research project leading to either a dissertation or a Heritage Portfolio (based on your choice). Your final Honours classification will be based on work done in Years 3 and 4. Modules are typically assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, with the weighting varying depending on the nature of the material taught and the module outcomes specified.
Classroom hours vary as you progress through years 3 and 4. You will become more independent in your learning, spending time doing supervised research and directed reading in preparation for seminars and assignments.
Student Recruitment – recruitment@stir.ac.uk
Fees and funding
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Heritage and tourism play a vital role in the economy, and offer diverse and rewarding forms of employment. This degree programme combines applied business and tourism-specific skills with the academic skills from the study of history, heritage and conservation. Those skills are highly sought after by not only employers within the tourism, conservation and heritage sectors, but have a wide appeal to employers from all career sectors.
What jobs can you get with a Heritage and Tourism degree?
A degree in Heritage and Tourism from the University of Stirling opens the door to opportunities with a wide range of organisations. You’ll acquire skills that will be ideally suited to roles such as:
- heritage manager
- historic buildings inspector or conservation officer
- museum education officer
- museum or gallery curator
- museum or gallery exhibitions officer
- education
- visitor attraction operations
- tourism management
A Heritage and Tourism degree is also well suited to jobs in education, journalism, marketing and communications, the civil service and many other fields. Further postgraduate training will be required for some of these fields.
