Master of Arts in Archival Science: Heritage and Records Management
The Advanced Master of Arts in Archival Studies prepares you for a career with administrative and/or cultural dimensions. In professional practice, administrative and cultural assignments will be intertwined.
What
A Unique Interuniversity Programme
The Master of Arts in Archival Studies is unparalleled. It is the only academic programme in Flanders dedicated to training archivists/record managers. The programme is organised by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, KU Leuven, Ghent University, and the University of Antwerp, effectively utilising their specialised expertise. The compulsory course units are conducted at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Elective courses are offered across various campuses in Brussels, Leuven, Ghent, and Antwerp. You can undertake the programme on a full-time or part-time basis, enabling you to combine it with any stage of your career.
From theory...
The programme emphasises acquiring practical professional knowledge through training while maintaining the academic and scientific profile of a university programme. We concentrate on the theoretical principles and methodologies of archival studies and records management, as well as on broader policy-related topics such as management, archival strategies, selection, material preservation, and digitisation. Last but not least, you will develop an understanding of the laws and regulations that govern heritage management in general, and archival laws in particular. This includes issues such as privacy protection and the freedom of information.
... to Practice
For whom
The admission requirements depend on your prior education (type of degree, country of issue etc.) or additional experience.
Structure
The curriculum comprises a common set of general course units (mandatory course units, an integrated Master's dissertation, and a work placement), as well as two complementary profiles. The general course units are the groundwork: they offer the theoretical, methodological and practical knowledge you will need in your career. The Master's dissertation and the work placement, combined with one of two profiles, offer specialisation in archives with historical import or in records management. The Master's dissertation is a written record of your achievements during the work placement.
Labour Market
Upon graduation, the most exciting career opportunities are open to you. Archivists generally work at academic institutions, in various types of archives (such as those of government agencies, universities, and museums), and within the heritage sector. They combine policy and management with technical expertise, such as acquiring, inventorying, and retaining archives, along with public-oriented tasks like disclosing and promoting documents. At organisations like these, the traditional archivist also holds an academic role, studying sources and publishing their findings. Archivists use their knowledge of history to create exhibitions and public events. For this purpose, they work closely with other heritage managers. However, not all our graduates end up in heritage institutes. Some go on to become cultural policy coordinators or heritage consultants. Records and information managers are primarily employed at government or private institutions, where they manage dynamic archives and advise on information systems, sorting plans, classifications, workflows, digitisation of administrative processes, and the transfer, disposal, retention, and disclosure of documents. They must develop a range of skills and be creative thinkers. Sometimes, records managers move into roles such as information officers or consultants. Many eventually take on administrative management positions. In practice, many of our graduates combine these skills and find employment as archivist/records managers.
Quality Assurance
This study programme is organised by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, KU Leuven, Ghent University and the University of Antwerp. Information on its quality assurance can be found on the website of the coordinator.
More information:
Publicly available information on study programme quality (in Dutch).