Master's Programme in Cultural Heritage and Sustainability
120 credits
What is the role of cultural heritage in a world challenged by globalisation, climate change and social exclusion? In the Master's Programme in Cultural Heritage and Sustainability, you will explore the links between cultural heritage (both tangible and intangible) and sustainability. This will prepare you for a career in heritage site management, sustainable tourism, cultural planning and regional urban development.
Autumn 2024 Autumn 2024, Visby, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Visby
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 2 September 2024
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
- Selection
-
Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
- Fees
-
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 50,000
- Total tuition fee: SEK 200,000
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2024
- Application code
- UU-M5140
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit a programme-specific statement of purpose (1 page).
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
Autumn 2025 Autumn 2025, Visby, 100%, On-campus, English
- Location
- Visby
- Pace of study
- 100%
- Teaching form
- On-campus
- Instructional time
- Daytime
- Start date
- 1 September 2025
- Language of instruction
- English
- Entry requirements
-
Academic requirements
A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university.
Language requirements
Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.
- Selection
-
Students are selected based on an overall appraisal of previous university studies and a statement of purpose.
Tuition fee-paying students and non-paying students are admitted on the same grounds but in different selection groups.
- Fees
-
If you are not a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees.
- First tuition fee instalment: SEK 50,000
- Total tuition fee: SEK 200,000
- Application deadline
- 15 January 2025
- Application code
- UU-M5032
- Additional information
-
In addition to the general supporting documents, you also need to submit a programme-specific statement of purpose (1 page).
Check the application guide for information on how to apply and what other supporting documents you need to submit.
About the programme
The programme is offered at Uppsala University Campus Gotland in Visby.
The Master's Programme in Cultural Heritage and Sustainability aims to provide an advanced understanding of how cultural heritage and sustainability are connected. It will help you answer questions on how cultural heritage can be preserved, used and developed in sustainable ways, and how cultural heritage can be used as a driving force for regional development.
The courses are based on research in conservation conducted by faculty members involved in the programme. They will give you a broad introduction to the field of cultural heritage and sustainability, as well as the possibility to specialise in the following areas:
- heritage and regional development,
- heritage in identity politics,
- heritage and the environment,
- heritage in peace and conflicts.
The autumn semester of the first year consists of mandatory campus courses carried out at Campus Gotland in Visby. During the spring semester of the first year and the autumn semester of the second year, there are opportunities to shape the focus of the programme to suit your own goals, including the possibility to do an exchange semester or an internship.
Conservation is the major field of study in the Master's Programme in Cultural Heritage and Sustainability, which means that in order to get a Master's degree (120 credits), you must take at least 60 credits in the subject. The remaining 60 credits can be taken in conservation or another subject, but of these, a minimum of 30 credits must be second-cycle (advanced) courses.
Student profile
The student group is typically very diverse with a mix of Swedish and international students with different educational backgrounds in humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.
Degree
The programme leads to the degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) with Conservation as the main field of study. After one year of study, it is possible to obtain a degree of Master of Arts (60 credits).
Content
The following describes the course of study for the full two-year programme.
The first semester gives you in-depth knowledge of the role of cultural heritage in sustainable development, as well as knowledge of the theories and methods used in conservation as an academic discipline. The first half of the semester is comprised of two courses of 7.5 credits each, where we explore ecological, social and economic perspectives on sustainability and how they relate to heritage. In addition to this, you will take an advanced introduction to current theoretical and methodological approaches in the field of cultural heritage and sustainability. During the second half of the semester, you will begin writing your thesis .
In semesters two and three you can choose between elective courses in conservation or another subject. The department offers advanced level courses in the field of cultural heritage and sustainability. During these semesters you also have the possibility of doing an internship in Sweden or abroad, or to participate in an international student exchange through the university's and the department's exchange agreements.
In the final semester, you will work on and complete the thesis that you started in semester one.
Courses within the programme
Semester 1
- Introduction to Heritage and Sustainability, 7.5 credits
- Theories and Methods in Heritage and Sustainability, 7.5 credits
- Master's Thesis in Conservation, 15 of 45 credits
Semesters 2 and 3
- Heritage Politics and Identity, 7.5 credits
- Cultural Heritage in Peace and Conflict, 7.5 credits
- Cultural Heritage as a Driver for Regional Development, 7.5 credits
- Heritage and the Environment, 7.5 credits
- Specialised Course in Conservation, 15 credits
- Internship in Conservation, 15 or 30 credits
Semester 4
- Master's Thesis in Conservation, 30 of 45 credits
Learning experience
The programme is offered at Uppsala University's Campus Gotland, located in the World Heritage site of Visby, the best-preserved Medieval city in Scandinavia. Gotland is an island located in the middle of the Baltic Sea between the mainland of Sweden and the Baltic States. With its rich cultural heritage, Gotland provides you with an inspiring environment, both as a backdrop for discussions and as an arena for implementations, excursions, projects, etc. Collaboration with national and international external actors is an important part of the programme.
The academic environment at Campus Gotland is characterised by a close working relationship between students and faculty. The active involvement of students and their on-site presence in Visby are fundamental to the programme. We consider the diverse experiences of the international student group a valuable resource in teaching. All teaching is conducted in English, mainly in the form of seminars, lectures and group exercises.
At the seminars, you will present your ideas and discuss the reading you have done beforehand (a course book or other study material) with your classmates, while the teacher usually only moderates the discussion. The aim is to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills. All students are expected to be active participants in all forms of discussions.
You will also do group work together with your classmates outside the classroom. This way, you can both learn from each other and practice being team players.
Examination forms vary between courses, but usually take the form of active participation in seminars and submission of written assignments (in groups or individually). Academic writing is in focus throughout the programme.
Career
This international and interdisciplinary programme will provide you with the necessary skills and competencies to work with strategic issues related to how cultural heritage can be preserved, used, and developed. Your ability to understand complex societal phenomena, in which the balance between development and preservation is key, will prepare you for a career in the growing regional development sector. The competencies you develop during the programme will be useful in the strategic management of cultural heritage in both private companies and public organisations.
The international and interdisciplinary profile of the programme lays the ground for a career in the global heritage job market, with private companies, NGOs and public institutions. Potential employers include national, regional and local institutions, museums, heritage sites, and consultancy firms. With its focus on academic discourse and writing skills, the programme will also give you a solid foundation for pursuing an academic career within the growing field of heritage and sustainability.
Career support
During your time as a student, UU Careers offers support and guidance. You have the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities and events that will prepare you for your future career.
Study in Visby
What is it like studying at Campus Gotland?
Register your interest
Keep updated about the application process.
Contact
- For programme-specific information, please contact Programme Coordinator Gustaf Leijonhufvud
- gustaf.leijonhufvud@konstvet.uu.se
- +46 70 749 49 37
- For admissions-related or general information, please contact our applicant support team:
- study@uu.se
Students
As a student you will find information about your studies in the student gateway.