Education and training in interpretation
This list describes various opportunities for study and professional training in interpretation
in the United Kingdom. It is based on research carried out for the AHI by Suzanna Jones: we
are very grateful for her help and diligence. The list is not exhaustive, and we would be
pleased to hear of any additions or corrections.
Inclusion in the list does not imply endorsement or accreditation by AHI: you should check
that any education or training is suitable for your needs.
List updated and links checked: March 2012
Academic study
Postgraduate
The following institutions offer postgraduate study that is concerned wholly or principally
with interpretation.
Provider
Newcastle University
Course details
Heritage Education and Interpretation postgraduate
programme. MA/PG Dip; individual modules available for CPD.
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/sacs/icchs/postgraduate/heritage/
University College London
Institute of Archaeology
Museum & Site Interpretation
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/studying/masters/courses/A
RCLG034
University of the Highlands
and Islands (UHI)
Interpretation: Management and Practice. MSc, PgDip or
PgCert; individual modules available for CPD.
http://www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/specialistcentres/cis/MScInterpretation-Management-and-Practice/Pages/default.aspx
Interpretation, Representation and Heritage. MA/PG Dip.
http://www2.le.ac.uk/study/postgrad/distance/museum/interp
retivestudies
Perth College
University of Leicester
Museums Studies
Department
University of London
Birkbeck College
University of Salford
Environmental Interpretation (Cert Assessment)
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/modules/FFEO/FFEO037H6.html
Heritage Studies: Interpretation Presentation and Design.
MA/PgDip.
http://www.salford.ac.uk/courses/heritage-studiesinterpretation,-presentation-and-design
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Undergraduate programmes
We are not aware of any institutions offering undergraduate programmes solely in
interpretation. However, it commonly appears as a module, unit or area of study in other
courses.
Provider
Bishop Burton College
Harper Adams University
College
Institute of Tourist Guiding
Napier University
Newcastle University
Open University
Course details
Environmental Interpretation is listed as an area of study for the
BTEC Level Extended Diploma in Countryside Management.
http://www.bishopburton.ac.uk/index.php?module=courses&n
avId=9&courseId=87&mode=fe
Countryside Interpretation, Education and Visitor Management
is a unit offered on numerous undergraduate courses.
Short course: Countryside Interpretation for Community
http://www.harperadams.ac.uk/shortcourses/course.cfm?id=230
Training and Assessment/Examination programmes for
Commentaries and Heritage Interpretation qualifications at
Educational Levels 3 and 2. http://www.itg.org.uk/what-wedo/accreditation.aspx
Interpretation is covered in the Managing Heritage Tourism
Module on the PgDip/PgCert/MSc Ecotourism.
http://www.lifesciences.napier.ac.uk/postgrad/ecotour/heritag
e.htm
Countryside Interpretation is listed as a more specialised topic
on the following courses: Countryside Management BSc
Honours & Rural Studies BSc Honours.
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/course/D455/countryside
-management
Undergraduate module: Understanding global heritage
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/ad281.h
tm
University of Birmingham,
Ironbridge Institute
Heritage Interpretation is a module offered as a unit on MA/
Diploma Heritage Management and certificate in Museums
Management courses.
http://www.ironbridge.bham.ac.uk/programmes/heritage.shtml
University of Greenwich
Managing Landscapes and Wildlife for Tourism -Unit 5 Interpretation,
Guiding and the Market. - Provision of interpretation and guiding
services, the role of the protected area managers, the community and
the tourism industry - objectives and strategies
http://www.gre.ac.uk/courses/pg/ees/envcons/envi1057
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University of Highlands and
Islands (UHI)
Lews Castle College
BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development includes
Environmental & Heritage Interpretation module
http://www.uhi.ac.uk/home/courses/coursesavailable/environmental-and-rural-industries/sustainable-ruraldevelopment/bsc-hons-sustainable-rural-development
Moray College
BSc Environment and Heritage Studies includes Environment
and Heritage Interpretation module
http://www.emagister.co.uk/full_time_bsc_hons_environment_
and_heritage_studies_incorporating_cert_he_dip_he_and_bsc_
courses-ec170296958.htm
University of Plymouth,
Cornwall college
EDEXCEL Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Countryside
Management
Environmental Interpretation is listed as one of the topics
covered on the course:
http://www.cornwall.ac.uk/cc/index.php?sitesig=cc&page=shar
ed&subpage=_Course_Finder&pagetype=2&searchfield=country
side+management&submit=Search
University of London,
Birbeck College
Museums: Contemporary Issues in heritage and Interpretation is
a module of the History/History of Art Certificate of Higher
Education Understanding.
http://www.bbk.ac.uk/study/ce2009/modules/FFHI304H4.html
University of Wales, Trinity
Saint David’s
BA Tourism Management offers an interpretation module:
http://www.trinitysaintdavid.ac.uk/en/courses/undergraduatec
ourses/a-zcourses/batourismmanagement/
MA Heritage Tourism offers an interpretation module:
http://www.trinitysaintdavid.ac.uk/en/courses/postgraduateco
urses/maheritagetourism/
University of Glasgow
Heritage, Interpretation and Development is a core course of
the Tourism, Heritage & Development degree.
http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/tourismheritagedev
elopment/
Writtle College
Level 3 extended Diploma Countryside Management
Environmental Interpretation is listed as an area of study.
http://www.writtle.ac.uk/onlinepdfreader/fe/page/FE%2027.sw
f
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Vocational training
A number of organisations offer training events or conferences about interpretation. Their
programmes change regularly: check with the individual providers for current details.
Providers
AHI
Details
AHI’s events and annual conference offer excellent opportunities to
meet other people working in the field, hear about the latest
thinking and projects, and visit sites to discuss their approach to
interpretation.
www.ahi.org.uk
Dehongli Cymru
/Interpret Wales
Dehongli Cymru aims to organise two themed training events
annually, normally in association with AHI, focusing on best
practice.
www.dehonglicymru.org.uk/
Plas Tan y Bwlch
Plas Tan y Bwlch is a study centre in the Snowdonia National Park.
Their professional training programme includes a number of
courses relevant to interpretation
www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/study-centre/professional-training
Visitor Studies group
The VSG holds occasional seminars and a two day summer school
www.visitors.org.uk
Commercial training providers
A number of individuals and consultancies offer training in interpretation, usually as ‘in
house’ events developed to suit the needs of a particular organisation. The best way to find
current providers is by recommendation from other organisations, or to search for ‘Training
courses and materials’ in the AHI Suppliers Directory www.ahi.org.uk/www/suppliers
Outside the UK
Interpret Europe
Interpret Europe aims to foster international collaboration, good practice and research in
heritage interpretation in Europe. It organises an annual conference, held in a different
European country each year.
www.interpret-europe.net
National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
NAI is the membership organisation for interpreters in the United States. It offers an
extensive range of certification programmes as well as organising a large annual conference.
http://www.interpnet.com/certification/index.shtml
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