Heritage and Exhibition Design MFA



Explore the development of public spaces, civic amenities and heritage sites through applied principles of exhibition and display.

Overview

The MFA Heritage and Exhibition Design will develop your understanding of core aspects of heritage, exhibition, and museum design, as well as site-specific interpretive installations in Scotland’s vibrant and extensive heritage sector.

Part of a community of practice, this course benefits from bringing together designers from a range of disciplines into core modules, as well as modules specific to your chosen pathway such as  'Interpretation & Design' and Design for Heritage & Culture'. 

All students complete the Art Direction module which is output through a collaborative public exhibition as part of the university’s annual degree show.  You will study Creative Research Portfolio Part 1  which will help you to determine and start the ground work to prepare for  your Major Project (MFA) topic. 

The MFA is recognised as an advanced masters level degree and students already holding an appropriate MA can apply to enter the programme directly into the second year of study.

To ensure there is sufficient time to process your application, we encourage you to submit your application by 30th June.

 
Malcom Innes looking at exhibition pieces to assemble.

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Part-time)

Duration:

2 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details

 

The City of Edinburgh is the perfect location for the MFA Heritage and Exhibition Design. Edinburgh is a UNESCO world heritage site, and arguably one of the most picturesque cities in the UK. Its world famous medieval Old Town has hundreds of historic sites, buildings, and monuments. The Regency New Town boasts some of the most import neo-classical buildings in the world. Beyond Edinburgh, we have access to Scotland’s extensive heritage industry with thousands of historic sites and buildings.Developing exhibition, interpretative and practical production skills, you will learn how to create user/visitor experiences and installations in key historic areas. With a strong sense of integrity, you will develop an understanding of and sensitivity to the authenticity and preservation of historic sites for visitors.

The two year MFA offers students the opportunity to extend project work through an in depth, research-led creative enquiry. The first year of the programme is aligned to the MA and you will undertake six modules developing subject specific-skills and knowledge, external research and entrepreneurial collaboration, and practice-based research. 

In the second year, you will extend your practice with two large modules: the self-directed Major Project with specialist supervisors, and Professional Practice with portfolio mentors. You will end the programme with a highly professional portfolio that enhances industry and employment opportunities or (with an emphasis on research) offers a robust gateway into PhD-level study.

Colleagues teaching on the programme are actively engaged in research, knowledge exchange and/or consultancy work.  You will study a range of topics and given the opportunity to explore and develop new skills.  Your studies will explore the latest theories and thinking around heritage and exhibition design as well as being applied in the production of real-world artefacts.  Our well-equipped workshops will allow you to manifest your most ambitious ideas.

 
  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     The programme uses practice-based learning, workshops, seminars, lectures, guest speakers and supported on-line learning in which core knowledge and understanding of design are developed and assessed in tandem with their specific application to your own individual projects.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     The majority of assessment is through studio modules where practice-based student output is collated as a portfolio presentation.
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    Work placement
  • library

    Facilities

     All design programmes in the School of Arts & Creative Industries are delivered in studio learning environments.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Heritage and Exhibition Design?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

Can I get admission into Heritage and Exhibition based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

English language

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £5,410 £tba
Overseas and EU £12,850 £tba
You study this course over two academic years, fees listed are per annum.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Graduates from this programme can pursue careers in: 

  • the heritage and museum sector
  • exhibition design
  • interpretation design
Black and white exhibition photography.