Cultural Heritage Studies: Libraries, Archives and Museums

The BA in Cultural Heritage Studies at Aberystwyth University seeks to introduce you to the cultural heritage aspects of the library, archive and heritage professions. If you are interested in any aspects of library, archive or museum work, including looking for information, helping others in information seeking, and how our heritage and knowledge is stored, shared and preserved - then this degree at Aberystwyth University is for you.

The course has a strong history component and allows you to combine an interest in history with practical and theoretical understandings of how information is valued and utilised in all walks of life – historical, educational and social. Offered jointly by the Departments of History and Welsh History, and Information Management, Library and Archives, this scheme draws upon our established strengths in professional training in information and library studies, archives and records management, alongside History and Welsh History.

You will receive training in the management and use of information, heritage resources, archives and records in both digital and physical formats. You’ll also develop skills in the application of information technology in this field. This degree scheme promotes your ability to conduct research, to investigate and analyse, and to articulate your ideas.

Opportunities at Aberystwyth for students of Cultural Heritage Studies include:

studying in a historically ‘information rich’ town that includes the National Library of Wales (one of only five copyright libraries in the UK, and home to the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, and a regular host of exhibitions relating to Welsh culture and heritage); the Welsh Books Council; the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments, Ceredigion Museum, the University libraries and archives, and a range of other relevant resources and organisations;

being taught by experts in their field.

Graduates of this degree will be well prepared for a career within a cultural organisation, or in an administrative position which would include responsibility for record keeping. It would also be relevant to those considering work as a graduate archive assistant or postgraduate professional training in archive administration and records management, to name a few examples.