Tertiary qualifications

The University of Auckland - Museums and Cultural Heritage

Museums and Cultural Heritage is an interdisciplinary programme with a particular focus on Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific. It draws on museums and heritage-related courses taught by Anthropology, Art History, History, Māori Studies and Sociology.

Museums and Cultural Heritage can give you an excellent foundation for a career as a curator, education officer, art gallery registrar or manager, and for careers in museums and heritage institutions in the private and government sectors, and in tourism.

Museums and Cultural Heritage - The University of Auckland

Victoria University of Wellington - Museum and Heritage Studies

Museum and Heritage Studies offers a range of flexible qualifications and courses, which balance taught classes and work experience, academic research and professional skills. You will acquire a broad grasp of this interdisciplinary field which combines history, theory, and practice with opportunities for independent research and workplace projects.

Situated in Wellington, this programme has strong relationships with national organisations such as Te Papa, the Ministry for Culture & Heritage, Heritage New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, Museums Aotearoa, and Creative New Zealand as well as with many smaller regional museums, art galleries, archives and other heritage organisations.

VUW MHST510 Heritage Practices 2020 flyer

Museum and Heritage Studies - Victoria University of Wellington

Massey University - Museum Studies

Both the Postgraduate Diploma and MA in Museum Studies are professional and academic qualifications equipping you for work in any of New Zealand’s museums and art galleries, science and technology centres, historic places and iwi cultural centres.

This qualification can bridge previous academic study and professional work in a museum, gallery or other cultural or heritage organisation. It can also be a pathway to more advanced study at master’s level. You’ll increase your knowledge of and abilities in heritage management and bicultural practices in the heritage sector, and build experience in problem solving and working in interdisciplinary teams.

Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies - Massey University

Master of Arts (Museum Studies) - Massey University

Eastern Institute of Technology - Te Ara Pourewa: Graduate Diploma in Heritage and Museum Studies

Te Ara Pourewa: Graduate Diploma in Heritage and Museum Studies seeks to increase heritage and museum expertise – particularly Māori – for the protection, preservation and elevation of taonga Māori. Te Ara Pourewa is a pathway that leads from previous study in Māori Studies, art and design, social sciences and related areas to professional work within heritage organisations, museums, cultural centres and communities, or to more advanced study.

Graduates will get skills to understand and apply concepts/mātauranga Māori to the heritage and museum sector, and gain a broad and practical knowledge of heritage management and museum practice in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Te Ara Pourewa: Graduate Diploma in Heritage and Museum Studies - Eastern Institute of Technology

Short courses

New Zealand Certificate in Museum Practice

Turn your museum experience into a recognised qualification with the New Zealand Certificate in Museum Practice. This qualification introduces you to all-round operations knowledge and skills: from collection management, cataloguing, conservation and display, to public safety, security, and understanding museum purpose, structure and financing.

New Zealand Certificate in Museum Practice - ServiceIQ.

Training coordinated by National Services Te Paerangi

National Services Te Paerangi (NSTP) provide help to museums, galleries and iwi -- including by offering museum-related workshops, courses, seminars and events around the country. You can find opportunities from various institutions, including Te Papa’s workshops run by NSTP, on the Te Papa website.

Museum sector events - Te Papa.

New Zealand Museums Standards Scheme Ngā Kaupapa Whaimana a Ngā Whare Taonga o Aotearoa

A free, practical, and user-friendly scheme to raise professionalism in the museum sector. See where your museum, gallery, or iwi organisation is doing well, and where it may need improvement.

New Zealand Museums Standards Scheme - National Services Te Paerangi.

Conferences

There are many opportunities to develop yourself professionally and personally as a museum and gallery professional. Here is a selection of conferences our members have attended:

We welcome corrections and information about other courses and conferences to include on this page. Please contact us with suggestions.

Annual internships and opportunities

Find further opportunities for students and emergent professionals on our sector awards page. 

More information

More information on support and opportunities in the sector can be found on the National Services Te Paerangi website.

Help and support for museums and galleries / He āwhina, he taunaki i ngā muhiama me ngā whare toi - NSTP website