Research in Public History and Heritage
UndergraduateMAQ-PBHX22032026
Course information for 2026 intake
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 15 Feb 2026
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 23 Feb 2026
- Price from
- $2,245
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Research in Public History and Heritage
About this subject
On successful completion, a student will be able to:
- Develop skills in archival research, digital source management and source cross-referencing to construct evidence-based historical narratives.
- Investigate local histories using primary historical datasets and other heritage research too
- Critically reflect on the process of historical inquiry in public history and cultural heritage contexts.
- Communicate findings that connect individual or site-based histories to broader public history themes, demonstrating the ability to tell nuanced historical stories through accessible formats.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
How do historians and heritage professionals uncover the stories behind everyday places? In Research in Public History and Heritage, you’ll learn how to investigate the past using a wide range of primary historical datasets used by many cultural heritage sector organisations and heritage consultancies — developing the skills to research the history of a house, a street, or a neighbourhood. You’ll explore tools like Trove, the Sands Directory, NSW Land and Property Records, Heritage Registers, State Records, Archives in State and National Libraries, as well as local council archives. You’ll learn how to interpret and cross-reference sources to build rich, evidence-based narratives. Whether you're tracing ownership through land titles or uncovering forgotten lives through electoral rolls and newspaper ads, this unit equips you with the practical skills and critical thinking needed to bring the past to life in public contexts, revealing the relationship between past and present. This hands-on unit introduces you to the core research methods of public history and cultural heritage, from archival digging to digital source management.
- Qualitative Analysis Task (Zotero Folder) (20%)
- Skills Logbook (40%)
- Research Report (40%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-intensive university in north-western Sydney offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. With over 44,000 current students, Macquarie has a strong reputation for welcoming international students and embracing flexible and convenient study options, including its partnership with Open Universities Australia.
Learn more about Macquarie University.
Explore Macquarie courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 11
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 9
Entry requirements
Prior study
You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:
one of
Others
Pre-requisite 40 cp at 1000 level or above
NCCW (2020 and onwards) Research in Public History and Heritage
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMAQ-HIS-DEG
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