Public History and Cultural Heritage Trinity College Dublin

Overview

The Public History and Cultural Heritage programme at Trinity College Dublin provides students with a rigorous academic grounding in the construction and reception of cultural memory. This degree is designed to prepare high-calibre graduates for the professional management of physical and digital heritage in a modern global context. By examining the political issues surrounding public commemoration and the role of media in shaping perceptions of the past, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how history functions in the public sphere.

Why Public History and Cultural Heritage at Trinity College Dublin?

This programme is uniquely delivered in collaboration with many of Dublin’s most prestigious cultural institutions. Students benefit from direct engagement with professional practitioners through workshops and guest lectures. The university’s strong links with the heritage sector allow for a three-month internship, providing practical experience in renowned organisations such as the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland, and the Little Museum of Dublin. This hands-on approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is applied to real-world conservation and communication challenges.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: EUR 18720 per year
• European fee: EUR 10090 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum combines a mandatory core module with a variety of specialised electives and a significant research project. Modules may include:

• Public History, Cultural Heritage and the Shaping of the Past
• Saving the Past
• The Historian and the Archive
• History, Memory and Commemoration
• The Irish Big House
• Gender, Art and Identity
• Consuming History

The programme concludes with a substantial dissertation or a major project of 12,000 to 15,000 words, completed under the supervision of expert academic staff.

Careers with Public History and Cultural Heritage

Graduates are well-equipped for diverse professional roles within the museum and heritage sectors, as well as in libraries, archives, and public administration. The skills developed during the course are highly applicable to careers in teaching, media, and public policy. Furthermore, the programme provides essential research training for those intending to pursue a doctorate or a career in academic research. Former students have successfully transitioned into roles involving heritage tourism, curation, and the management of cultural sites.