Career Zone

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Heritage, Conservation and Consultancy

The UK and the South West's heritage, conservation and consultancy sector is characterised by a broad field of organisations, reflective of the diversity of agendas cut across chronological time points whereby some organisations primarily focus on past heritage and others that concentrate on the present, often by reinterpreting the past. So, naturally there is a wide array of career paths that range from roles emphasising practical manual dexterity to roles involving high levels of academic research. Roles range from practical preservation and restoration roles requiring expert skills in restoration of artefacts, buildings, historical sites. Additionally there are many roles around exhibition development, creating engaging and informative exhibition spaces, including design, interpretation, and installation. More technically, curatorship roles which manage and interpret collections, research and write exhibition content often use specialised knowledge and so require a DPhil/PhD. Lastly, heritage management and consultancy involves the overseeing the operation and development of heritage sites, and so shares many roles with business operations including financial planning, fundraising, grant applications, and visitor management. Read How to get into museum conservation | Prospects.ac.uk.

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here.  These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

  • Adaptability: Flexibility to work in varied locations, weather, and project types.
  • Attention to Detail: Recording context, measurements, and observations with precision.
  • Conservation Awareness: Understanding of basic preservation techniques and ethical considerations.
  • Critical Thinking: Evaluating evidence and forming reasoned interpretations.
  • Interpersonal Skills: strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with stakeholders, volunteers, and the public.
  • Interpretation: Translating complex information into accessible and engaging formats.
  • Organisation: Managing field notes, samples, and project timelines effectively. 
  • Practical fieldwork skills: expert skills in artefact handling may be required.
  • Problem-solving and Decision-making: Ability to identify and resolve challenges, often under pressure. 
  • Project Management: Strong organisational and time management skills to manage projects effectively. 
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Awareness of heritage legislation and planning frameworks. 
  • Research & Report Writing: Ability to interpret data and contribute to reports.
  • Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.   

In order to develop these skills, remember Career Zone also offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Building Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to build relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in:  

Societies 

Volunteering 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Finding part time work  

You could also have a look at Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page. 

Graduate schemes and internships 

Collection for internships on Handshake  

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

For help with making speculative applications you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to build their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

  • Prospects – Postgraduate Study – Offers guidance on whether further study is right for you, how to choose a course, and what qualifications are needed for specific careers. Includes a searchable database of UK postgraduate courses. 
  • Masters Degrees (Heritage) - 592 Courses Listed – Search on findamasters.com for heritage, or heritage studies, or conservation heritage for a comprehensive directory of taught and research-based master’s degrees in the UK and beyond.
  • Reed lists many short online courses many of which are free, eg in art conservation, heritage studies, art curation.
  • TARGETJobs – Postgraduate Study – Covers how to choose the right course, application timelines, and how further study fits into career planning—especially relevant to competitive industries like finance. 
  • UCAS Postgraduate – The official postgraduate route via UCAS, offering application advice, timelines, and course information for UK-based master’s and PGCert/PGDip courses.
  • Cultural Leaders Programme – Culture& This charity has partnered with Southebys to provide scholarships for Masters courses in the arts world. 

Advice 

If you would like to pursue postgraduate study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.  

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.