Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage

at University of Melbourne

Core
 

Students must complete the following subjects
 

• Principles of Heritage and Conservation

  12.5 pts
   

• This subject explores the theory and history of cultural heritage with a focus on architectural and urban conservation. Ideas and practices of heritage are examined through approaches taken to the conservation of buildings, precincts, neighbourhoods, towns, and landscapes. A range of approaches for designing, planning, managing, and researching heritage places are considered. Key topics include the emergence of modern conservation; statutory heritage regimes and designations; the role of charters and doctrines such as the Burra Charter and values-based conservation; and the evolving politics of heritage. This subject also highlights areas of scholarship and practice which challenge traditional approaches such as Aboriginal heritage; community participation; intangible heritage; climate change; and urban development. The subject is taught by academics and leading heritage practitioners and delivered as a mixture of seminars and field trips.
   

• Urban and Landscape Heritage

  12.5 pts
   

• The development of landscape design in Australia. The influence and work of Australian landscape designers. Concepts of natural and cultural heritage. Types of landscape heritage: Australian indigenous landscapes, public and private parks and gardens, institutional and industrial landscapes, symbolic and commemorative landscapes. Heritage legislation and organisations. Techniques for the assessment of landscape heritage. Case studies are used to illustrate the theory and practice of planning and managing sites that have cultural significance.
   

  NOTE: Students must be able to travel interstate for up to 2.5 days for site visits .
   

  Saturday 24th Sept and Sunday 25th Sept (if travel restrictions permit in 2022). Depending on COVID lockdowns (if any) this may be deferred to Friday 30th Sept and Saturday 1st October 2022 or a Melbourne site will be substituted. Therefore, students need to be available both weekends. There will be one hour lecture class ( Induction session) on the first day of teaching period
   

  Travel costs and accommodation costs for 2 nights in Tasmania is approximately $450 per person.
   

• Issues and Techniques in Global Heritage

  12.5 pts
   

• An introduction to current issues and techniques in the field of cultural heritage globally. It will survey differing philosophies and challenges being faced in the documentation, interpretation, support and management of conservation and cultural heritage of buildings, landscapes, sites and cities across the world. The study will proceed via detailed case studies examining projects from a range of scales that may include individual buildings and structures, natural and designed landscapes, urban places and precincts, as well as sites of cultural and historical significance. It will include issues such as twentieth-century heritage, heritage during time of war, and the roles of sustainability and tourism as emerging challenges and opportunities for global heritage. Key to this study will be the development of a critical appreciation of the differences and relevance of international heritage-based charters and international heritage organisations. We will look at UNESCO World Heritage listings and terms of significance, and key national and international charters and regulations.
   

MC-UCH selective subjects
 

Students must complete one of the following subjects
 

• Measured Drawings & Digital Heritage

  12.5 pts
   

• In this subject, students will learn about the theory and practice documenting historic buildings for purposes of research and conservation. Students will develop critical approaches to architectural recording and representation. The subject will offer experience in manual techniques and digital technologies, including photogrammetry and 3D laser scanning, and explore their applications in contemporary architectural and cultural heritage practice. Skills will be developed through a focus on case study buildings, with students working individually and collaboratively to produce archival quality documentation and measured drawings of culturally significant urban heritage.
   

  This subject will involve the following software: Autodesk ReCap Pro (recommended) or Cloudcompare, Reality Capture, Agisoft MetaShape. Details of software availability and pricing are captured at https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research/resources/it-support#software.
   

• Australian Architecture

  12.5 pts
   

• Topics include:
   

  • the development and planning of settlements in Australia: the colonial architecture of New South Wales and Tasmania;

  • land and building regulations, urban conditions, building techniques;

  • the development of architecture in Melbourne from its founding to recent times and the emergence of modern architecture.
     

  Special emphasis will be placed on the Melbourne environment.
   

• Twenty-first Century Architecture

  12.5 pts
   

• This subject offers a broad introduction to contemporary theories and methods used in the production and critique of architecture in the context of current practice.
   

  Architectural concepts such as program, diagram, transparency, tectonics, materiality, and ornament will be explored along with the contemporary manifestations of landscape urbanism, digital technologies, ecological sustainability, and biomimicry in design. The subject provides a perspective within which contemporary architectural polemics and strategies can be understood so that students can approach their own practice with the knowledge of existing contemporary theories of design.
   

• Critical&Curatorial Practices in Design

  12.5 pts
   

• This research-based subject focuses on critical, curatorial and conceptual practices in design. It offers advanced training in the field of design criticism, publishing, curating, exhibiting, writing and research. Students will be exposed to a range of theoretical approaches to the curating and interpretation of design, and current techniques of display, documentation and installation. Through a focus on specific case study examples related directly to proposed exhibition projects, students will develop research skills, interpretation techniques and innovative curatorial methods. Assessment will take the form of written reports, data collection, and graphic and design exercises equivalent to 5000 words.
   

• Representing and Remembering Place (PG)

  12.5 pts
   

• This subject explores and researches the representation and history of particular sites in Melbourne and elsewhere. The subject engages with considerations of place-making outside the design studio context, and the creative potentials of heritage documentation. The notion of site and place is explored through a number of theoretical themes and hands-on creative, representational techniques including mapping, photography, film, sound, writing and using archives. These themes are further investigated through the subject reader, lectures and seminar discussions. Equal emphasis is placed on theoretical problems of understanding contemporary and historical contexts, and creative, representational techniques for documenting specific places. The major submission requires a well researched and presented 'Atlas' that evokes ‘change over time’ and the memory of a place of choice. Typically, the culmination of the subject is an exhibition of Atlas projects.
   

Research Pathway
 

Students taking the Research Pathway must complete 50 points of core subjects (37.5 points core and 12.5 points selective subject) plus: 2 x 12.5 point electives (see elective list); and
 

• Urban and Cultural Heritage Minor Thesis

  25 pts
   

• This subject is designed to produce a 10,000 word ordered, critical exposition of knowledge gained through the student's own efforts which demonstrates a sound understanding of a topic of their choice relating to urban and cultural heritage. Regular meetings will be held with a supervisor to allow students to obtain advice on the study topic and help guide their independent study.
   

Internship Pathway
 

Students taking the Internship Pathway must complete 50 points of core subjects (37.5 points core and 12.5 points selective subjects) plus: 2 x 12.5 point electives (see elective list); and
 

• MUCH Heritage Industry Internship

  25 pts
   

• Students enrolled in this subject will complete an internship of a minimum of 20 days full-time placement with an external organisation in the architectural, urban and cultural heritage field. Students will be supervised by the Subject Coordinator in collaboration with a designated party at the host organisation. They will work across a range of tasks relevant to the organisation's objectives, and will develop and complete a specific project in discussion with the host organisation and the Subject Coordinator. The Internship experience will enable students to extend and apply the knowledge acquired through the MUCH coursework subjects, will provide students with a valuable professional experience, and will extend their professional networks. The internship will facilitate the application of knowledge acquired through coursework to a professional workplace.

In order to be considered for entry applicants must meet one of the following:
 

• A cognate* masters coursework degree with a weighted average of at least 65% (or University of Melbourne equivalent); OR

• A cognate* four-year undergraduate degree (with honours) with a weighted average of at least 65% (or University of Melbourne equivalent); OR

• A cognate* three-year undergraduate degree with a weighted average of at least 65% (or University of Melbourne equivalent) PLUS two years of documented relevant professional experience.
   

* Cognate areas include architecture, history, art history, landscape architecture, archaeology, policy studies, cultural studies, urban planning, interior design or equivalent as determined by the Selection Committee.
 

Please note:
 

• Applicants are strongly encouraged to provide a personal statement of up to 500 words, outlining relevant experience and motivation for undertaking the course.

• In ranking applications, the MSD Selection Committee will consider prior academic performance, and if relevant, professional experience.

• The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of your application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.
   

Kindly note, meeting the minimum entry requirements is not a guarantee of entry.
 

• TOEFL (internet-based): total score at of least 79 and scores of 21 for writing, 18 for speaking, 13 for reading and 13 for listening. To submit your scores when you apply, use our TOEFL Institution Code: 0974.
   

• IELTS: total score of at least 6.5 in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 6.0.

• Indicative first year fee AUD $44,512
   
• Indicative total course fee AUD$44,512

Heritage skills are in great demand throughout Australia and globally, including the Asia-Pacific region. The Master of Urban and Cultural Heritage is designed to complement existing professional skills in areas such as architecture, planning, archaeology and history as well as provide a pathway to a new career in the management, conservation and interpretation of heritage.
 

Some of the firms our graduates work for are:
 

• Context

• The National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

• City of Port Phillip

• Parks Victoria

• University of Stuttgart

• Lovell Chen
   

Our graduates work as:
 

• Heritage Planning Associate

• Heritage Officer

• Heritage Consultant

• Community Advocate - Built Heritage