The Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology (SEAHA) MRes is a pioneering Master's course that delivers an outstanding cross–disciplinary heritage science education.
We are not accepting applications to SEAHA MRes for 2020/21 academic year. Please register your interest if you wish to stay up to date with postgraduate study opportunities at the Institute for Sustainable Heritage.
Programme highlights
- Introduces you to a unique assembly of scientific disciplines — physical sciences, engineering, imaging, computing, social sciences — brought together in order to address research questions relating to cultural heritage.
- Block-taught modular structure and leading-edge teaching techniques by academic staff from UCL, the University of Oxford and the University of Brighton.
On this page
About the programme | Student views | Structure | Teaching staff | Why study at UCL ISH? | Further information
About the programme
The programme delivers tailored teaching through research. You’ll be taught by accomplished academics and you will have access to outstanding scientific resources, including the Heritage Science Laboratory and the Mobile Heritage Lab, our unique mobile facility for field research and public engagement.
You will develop transferable skills of leadership and management with the guidance of informed heritage and business professionals, in a teaching environment designed to promote debate, individual thinking and mutual understanding.
After completing the programme, you will be ideally suited to continue with a PhD or a challenging cross-disciplinary research career in industry or heritage institutions.
Student Views
UCL's Science and Engineering in Arts, Heritage and Archaeology Class of 2019

I chose to study at UCL ISH because the programme offered an excellent opportunity to combine my passions in a research-based environment. I was very eager to get involved in research and the SEAHA programme focused on developing a thesis. A masters programme in heritage science is also quite unique and there aren’t many comparable options in the states. I loved the diversity of the academic backgrounds of the students. Everyone has expertise in complementary fields, which made for very interesting discussions and group projects.“
Hannah Duggan - SEAHA MRes Alumna
Structure
The SEAHA MRes is an executive-style research-focussed course. The taught and transferrable skills elements consist of two compulsory taught modules (30/180 credits each). Two research modules (30/180 credits each) and the master's dissertation (60/180 credits) comprised the research element of the course. The programme can be taken full time over one year or part time, normally over two years.
Part time students complete modules 1 and 3 in their first year and modules 2 and 4 in their second year in order to enable part-time students to obtain good theoretical grounding in heritage science during their first year.
- Modules
Science and Engineering in Art, Heritage and Archaeology in Context
Credits: 30
Assessment: Written assignment (5,000 words)
Term 1SEAHA Research Methodology
Credits: 30
Assessment: Written report (5,000 words) Term 1SEAHA Transferable Skills
Credits: 30
Assessment: 25% poster presentation; 75% written essay (3,000 words)
Term 2SEAHA Field Project
Credits: 30
Assessment: Field project report (2,500 words)
Term 2SEAHA Master's Dissertation
Credits: 60
Assessment: 50% master's dissertation (10,000-12,000 words); 50% oral examination (45 min)
Term 3 and summer vacation
See detailed module information ►
Staff
The SEAHA MRes programme draws upon the full range of expertise offered by the UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage's extensive team of professors and lecturers working in the field.
Between them, these staff represent some of the world's most respected experts in heritage science, producing both substantial scholarly work and highly innovative work at the leading edge of the field.
As experienced teachers, the staff give seminars, lectures, offer one-to-one tutorials and engage directly with the MRes students. You will truly become part of a dynamic organism with everything that our global university has to offer.
Situated in London and at UCL, the Heritage Science MRes programme is also able to draw on a wide range of other academics and visitors, such as established gallery curators, scientists and experts in the field, who give occasional talks and advice on student work.
- Key Staff
Programme Director
Dr Josep Grau-Bové
Send Josep an email
View Josep's profileAssistant Programme Director
Dr Alejandra Albuerne
Send Alejandra an email
View Alejandra's profile
- Other staff
Prof Matija Strlic
Send Matija an email
View Matija's profileProfessor May Cassar
Send May an email
View May's profileDr Katherine Curran
Send Katherine an email
View Katherine's profile
Why study at The UCL Institute for Sustainable Heritage?
- We are a world-leading centre of research and teaching excellence.
- Be part of The Bartlett, the world's top built environment faculty (QS World University Rankings by Subject) and the largest in the UK – host to students from over 40 countries, giving a unique opportunity to work across disciplinary boundaries.
- Study at UCL's Bloomsbury campus in central London, close to world-leading architectural, engineering and creative practices, many of whom are partners.
More information
- Read more about the programme's content and structure
- Take a look at our SEAHA students' past research projects
Contact us
- If you haven’t found the information you need here, you can email the Programme Director, Dr Josep Grau-Bové: josep.grau-bove.11@ucl.ac.uk
- For administrative information, please contact bseer-studentqueries@ucl.ac.uk