Archival Practice

Entry requirements

A 2:1 or first class BA (Hons) degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent overseas qualification) and ideally a period (minimum 30 days / 120 hours) of paid or voluntary employment in an archive or records service, or experience in a post where archive or record management is a substantial responsibility. Applicants meeting these criteria are interviewed by a practising member of the profession in the selection process.

We are very happy to help with finding a suitable pre-programme experience. If you would like to discuss options or if you have any questions about the programme or the admissions process, please contact rebecca.emmett@plymouth.ac.uk.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation pre-course placement opportunities are impacted. If you are interested in the MA Archival Practice Programme and you currently have not been able to undertake or complete the usual placement experience, please contact Rebecca.emmett@plymouth.ac.uk to discuss the situation further.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Do you want a career in the archive sector? Join a new MA programme designed and taught in partnership with archival professionals, created to give you practical experience of the archive, from manuscripts to film, sound and digital archives. Co-taught with The Box, Plymouth's new heritage centre, and with links to local archives and work-based learning, you also learn about current and practical management issues, the varied needs of users and how to communicate through outreach and marketing.

Key features:

• Taught in partnership with The Box, Plymouth's new heritage centre, with archival professionals as core and optional module teachers and in the placement module.
• Work-based learning is a key feature of the MA.
• Digital skills are embedded in all modules.
• You develop links with local record offices and other archives which will be important for future employment in the archive and heritage sector.
• The core and optional modules meet practical and current needs (fund-raising, employment law, archival and digital skills) for a range of archive and related jobs.
• Designed to be an accredited, professional qualification aligned to the Archives and Records Association’s new competencies in core modules. Provisional accreditation for the programme is being sought.

Information for international students

English language requirements.

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.