Heritage consultants bring expertise to museums, prehistoric monuments and other historic properties.

What is Heritage Consultancy?

Heritage work is varied and can range from providing independent guidance and support from feasibility, concept and pre-planning stages, through to full planning and the discharge of conditions. Advising on Listed Building Applications, Conservation Area Consents, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and planning appeals. 

What Heritage degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in Heritage include:

• BA(Hons) Ancient, Classical and Medieval Studies
• BA(Hons) Classical Studies
• BA(Hons) Archaeology

What do you need to get onto a Heritage degree?

Entry requirements will depend on the university, ranging from 104-120 UCAS tariff points for most undergraduate courses. Qualifications may include:

• A Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.r. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points (CCC to ABB for Archaeology Degrees)
• DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4
• T Level: Merit in a T Level

Experience that would look good on your application:

• Shadowing or talking to a Heritage Consultant about their day-to-day work, or contact a Local Planning Authority to meet with a Conservation Officer
• Work or volunteering experience where you work with a variety of people, to evidence your interpersonal and team working skills
• Research into the role and what it entails, e.g. on the website of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC)

What topics does a Heritage degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

• Introduction to Archaeology
• World Prehistory
• Introduction to Material Culture
• Analysis of Historic Buildings
• Legislation and Economics for Historic Buildings
• Classical Literature
• The Medieval World

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module:

• Assessments
• Written Assignments
• Reports
• Group Work
• Research Essays
• In class presentations
• A dissertation may be a final year option

Why study Heritage?

Heritage degrees are designed to balance strategic analysis with a good working knowledge of core techniques. You will acquire the skills and knowledge to extend your knowledge in new areas. You will work with a range of professionals and specialists to broaden your understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the field. Most courses offer field trips to further develop your technical knowledge.

Professional accreditation: Degrees that include Heritage may lead to a Masters Degree following by accreditation with the IHBC or Chartered Institute of Archaeologists

What do Heritage graduates earn?

Heritage graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £21,000-£25,000.
Heritage Consultants, by mid-career you could expect an average income of £39,000, while directors could earn up to £65,000.

What jobs can you get as a Heritage graduate?

A degree in Conservation or Heritage is highly vocational, and could lead to the following jobs:

• Heritage Consultant
• Conservation officer
• Education
• Archivist
• Fundraising
• Law
• Politics
• Media

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

• MSc in Conservation of Buildings
• MSc Sustainable Heritage

Useful websites:

• Archaeology course entry requirements
• Classical studies entry requirements
• History, what courses are available?
• Thinking of studying architecture, building and planning?
• Geography course entry requirements