What is the dual award program?
Deakin University in Melbourne and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) in Brandenburg, Germany, are each internationally recognised as leading institutions in the field of heritage and museum education. After more than 10 years of academic collaboration, the two universities have developed a dual award program that combines the academic strengths of both institutions, allowing you to graduate with two degrees: a Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies from Deakin and a Master of World Heritage from BTU. Students receive reciprocal credit for prior learning, meaning that they graduate with two postgraduate degrees in just two years.
The dual award program is designed to give museum and heritage management specialists the cross-sectoral knowledge they need to succeed in the industry. You’ll learn to identify, assess, protect, manage and promote cultural heritage objects, collections, sites and archives, with a special focus on intangible heritage knowledge and practices.
In-demand skills
Gain the in-demand postgraduate qualification, skills, knowledge and experience you need for employment in this diverse sector.
International exposure
Be exposed to both German and Australian learning values and discover valuable cross-cultural communication skills.
Practical experience
Undertake field work and internships to build up industry experience, including a group internship in Melbourne and a study project in Cottbus.
Program structure
The two year program combines the academic strengths of each institution into a complementary curricular structure. The BTU degree focuses on World Heritage management, while the Deakin degree encompasses cultural heritage across places, objects and collections, and intangible cultural heritage. The program is tightly constructed to address the core requirements of both universities. BTU specifically requires a number of group projects and one of them takes place while in residence at Deakin.
An indicative course plan is provided for students beginning the program; however, you will be able to work with staff to customise individual course plans to your needs.
Scholarship
Students who successfully enrol in the dual award program will also receive a scholarship that reduces unit fees by 10%.
Career opportunities
Dual award graduates can find employment as practitioners in museums, heritage institutions, government agencies, private corporations, community organisations, NGOs and in private practice.
Typical job titles include:
- curator
- museum director
- heritage officer
- site manager
- collections manager
- registrar
- public programs officer
- interpretation officer
- researcher
- project officer.
Museums and heritage agencies also need marketers, web designers, community engagement specialists, collection managers, travelling exhibition coordinators, editors, policy development and analysis specialists, legal counsel, field rangers, conservators, financial controllers and volunteer-managers.
Where can the program take you?
The five students selected by each university will become a well-integrated group to optimise the experience of the program. Check out some of our alumni stories to see where the dual award program could take you.
Is the dual award program right for me?
The maximum number of students to be enrolled in the dual award program is fixed at five per year for each institution. Students must meet the following admissions requirements:
- Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline such as history, geography, archaeology, art history, architecture, planning, cultural studies or sociology.
- English language proficiency. Both courses are taught in English, including the components in Germany.
Applicants will be evaluated on the following selection criteria:
- Motivation to join the program, including alignment with future professional and/or research goals.
- Previous heritage-related experience, including internships, volunteer work or professional work.
- Interest in and exposure to diverse cultural experiences.
How to apply
To study in the dual award program you will need to apply for it as part of your application for the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies. Expressions of Interest open in October.
If you're interested in joining the 2025 cohort, limited places are still available. Please email your documents by 24 January 2025 to Dr Luke Keogh. Include the following details in your application:
- A one-page letter expressing your interest in the dual award program. It should briefly outline the reasons for your interest in the program, including your study history and future career goals.
- Current curriculum vitae (maximum two pages).
- Copy of the transcript of your previous studies. You will need this for your Deakin enrolment but please send a copy directly too. If your final marks have not yet been received, please send the current version.
The successful applicants will then enrol in the Master of Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies (Professional).
You are welcome to talk to Dr Virginie Rey about the dual award program or any of Deakin’s Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies courses by email: virginie.rey@deakin.edu.au
Contact us
Contact us to learn more about the dual award program or any of Deakin’s Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies courses. Or learn more about past and present dual award colleagues at the alumni community website.