Courses in

Heritage includes almost anything that one generation hands down to the next, or anything from the past that people identify with. It involves the use of the past in the present – in commemorations, conservation plans, museum exhibitions, local economies, national identities, tourist attractions, etc. Today, the historic environment sector supports 40,000 jobs in Ireland and accounts for €1.5 billion revenue annually.

The BA in Heritage Studies will provide you with a broad-based knowledge of the built, cultural and natural heritages of Ireland and Europe. It will also provide you with an understanding of the role that heritage resource management plays in the safeguarding of national monuments, architecture, artefacts, archives, cultural landscapes, habitats, flora and fauna.

Modules are taught in a range of areas, including:

• Built, Cultural, Natural & Digital Heritage
• History (Local, National & International)
• Geography (Human & Physical)
• Archaeology
• Tourism
• Genealogy
• Museum Studies
• Urban & Rural Field Studies
• Folklore
• Literature
• Computing & GIS
• Communications
• Research Methods
• Event Management
• Languages (Gaeilge, Spanish, French, German)

Employment opportunities exist in the following areas:

• Arts administration
• Archaeology
• Business
• Charities & NGOs
• Civic trusts
• Civil service
• Community development
• Conservation & restoration
• Creative digital media
• Genealogy
• GIS
• Heritage agencies & centres
• Hospitality
• Journalism
• Leisure
• Libraries
• Local authorities
• Museums
• National parks
• Technology companies
• Tourism

Graduates may progress to the final year of GMIT’s Level 8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Heritage Studies, by taking a ONE-YEAR ADD-ON PROGRAMME. Progression to similar programmes in other higher education institutions is also possible.

Students learn through lectures, tutorials, active learning, class discussions, film viewings, practical learning in computer and language labs, and online learning. There is also a strong emphasis on offsite teaching, with fieldtrips to heritage sites, museums and interpretative centres in Ireland. Students can do a Work Experience module and can also study abroad for one or two semesters at one of our partner institutions in Europe or the USA.

Materials Fee
Students will be liable for an additional materials fee of €100 per year for certain full time programmes. This fee is not covered by Granting Authorities. Material Fees are not applicable to either Erasmus, Part-Time or Full time Non-EU students.