Programme Description
The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in partnership with the University of Sharjah, is offering an interdisciplinary Master of Science (MSc) programme in "Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage". This degree addresses emerging conservation challenges in the Arab region and integrated approaches to heritage management.
The graduate programme, which started in 2019, targets heritage professionals from diverse backgrounds in the Arab region and consists of two tracks:
- Management of Museums (Movable Heritage)
Management of Cultural Heritage Sites (Immovable Heritage)
This programme is uniquely interdisciplinary, regionally focused and flexibly designed. It accommodates various disciplines in conservation and management and covers various topics, from disaster risk management to World Heritage.
The programme is primarily delivered in Arabic to address the region's needs.
Programme Structure
The MSc programme uses a block-teaching model. This modular structure aims to support working professionals interested in furthering their education. Students take first-year courses (24 credit hours) and complete a dissertation (9 credit hours) in the second year. The courses in the first year take place in person at the University of Sharjah. The curriculum consists of five core courses and three courses per track. The second year, conducted remotely, is entirely dedicated to the MSc dissertation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the programme, students will be able to:
Explain and apply the theories and methodologies of conservation and management of local and international cultural heritage and their development.
Analyze international conventions and national legislation related to the conservation and management of cultural heritage and develop such laws according to the conditions of cultural heritage.
Integrate various disciplines to contribute to the comprehensive understanding of cultural heritage, its conservation and its management.
Produce terms of reference and documents for projects aimed at conservation and managing cultural heritage projects.
Evaluate and implement comprehensive management plans for cultural heritage.
Use modern scientific techniques to understand, interpret and present cultural heritage.
Work in teams to implement cultural heritage management plans.
Analyze the concepts and mechanisms of management policies and projects related to the preservation of cultural heritage based on scientific methodologies.
Work in various contexts in the field of cultural heritage.
Communicate with local communities and specialists in the field of cultural heritage.
Apply best practices, standards and ethics in the management of cultural heritage sites and museum collections.
Conduct applied research in the field of cultural heritage to benefit real-world situations.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply, candidates must be Arabic-speaking professionals and hold citizenship from countries that are part of the Arab League, with:
A Bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited university with a minimum GPA of 2.5 out of 4, 70 out of 100, or equivalent.
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, such as archaeology, architecture, urban planning/urban studies, heritage conservation, heritage management, museology/museum studies, art history or history of architecture. Graduates of other disciplines may be accepted and may be asked to fulfil further requirements.
English language competency (Academic IELTS: 4.0, TOEFL IBT: 32).
Experience in related fields of cultural heritage management is an asset.
Duration of Programme
The programme lasts two years and comprises 33 credit hours. Upon successful completion, students are awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage from the University of Sharjah.
The programme is academically affiliated with the University of Sharjah. Students are required to attend the first academic year in person, which runs from September to June. The second academic year is dedicated to conducting independent research.
ICCROM Scholarships Conditions
With the gracious support of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, ICCROM-Sharjah offers a limited number of scholarships subject to rigorous evaluation criteria. The scholarships cover tuition fees, two-semester accommodation, round-trip airfare to the UAE and a living expense allowance for the first academic year. In the second year, students are expected to return to their home country to work on the MSc dissertation.
Priority will be given to candidates officially nominated by governmental institutions in their home countries who also meet the other eligibility criteria. An official nomination letter should be submitted with the application documents.
Required Documents
For more information about ICCROM Scholarships
Please get in touch with Training-SHJ@iccrom.org
More information is available in the MSc programme informational booklet.
How to apply
Applications should be submitted to ICCROM-Sharjah using the following link by 30 May 2025, 11:59 PM, UAE time.