Faculty
Faculty of Humanities and Sciences
Programme Type
Undergraduate Programme
Field of Study
Arts

Programme description

The Bachelor of Arts in Historic Archives and Heritage Studies (BAHAHS) program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to preserve, manage, and interpret historical records and cultural heritage. By integrating archival science, heritage studies, and historical research methodologies, the program ensures that graduates can safeguard and promote the nation’s cultural and historical assets.

Emphasising critical analysis, ethical stewardship, and practical application, BAHAHS trains students in archival management, museum curation, and heritage site conservation. The curriculum also incorporates digital preservation techniques and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enhance archival accessibility and heritage documentation. A core aspect of the programme is community engagement and inclusive heritage management. Students will participate in fieldwork and public history initiatives, ensuring that heritage conservation practices reflect diverse perspectives. Additionally, the programme aligns with global best practices in heritage tourism, policy-making, and cultural resource management, preparing graduates for careers in archives, museums, research institutions, and heritage organisations. Ultimately, BAHAHS produces professionals capable of preserving, interpreting, and managing historical and cultural heritage, ensuring its relevance and accessibility for future generations.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Knowledge: Graduates will be able to:

  1. understand foundational archival and heritage principles and theories, covering appraisal, arrangement, description, preservation, and access.

  2. Critically assess historical and social dynamics and their impact on archival practices and heritage studies.

  3. Evaluate archival and heritage research methods and the application of ICT tools for digital preservation.

  4. Analyse relationships among interdisciplinary concepts and community engagement in archival practices and heritage studies.

  5. comprehend legal and ethical considerations, including intellectual property and regulatory frameworks in archival management.

  6. grasp information management principles, including metadata standards, database management, and information retrieval.

  7. Gain awareness of the significance of cultural heritage preservation in maintaining collective memory and identity.

Skills: Graduates in BAHAHS programme will have specialised skills for:

  1. Demonstrating practical application of archival and heritage techniques in real-world scenarios.

  2. Analysing and interpreting historic archives and heritage assets data using standard research methodologies.

  3. Developing and executing projects that integrate inclusive policies and community outreach for historic archives and heritage studies.

  4. Implementing archival and heritage research projects with measurable outcomes.

  5. Operate ICT tools proficiently for digitisation and record management for archival materials and heritage assets.

Competence: Graduates will demonstrate competence in:

  1. Leading complex archival and heritage management projects. 

  2. Critically evaluating and refining existing archival practices and heritage assets.  

  3. Designing, implementing, and assessing community outreach initiatives with measurable impact on historic archives and heritage assets.

  4. Innovating and applying advanced digital preservation techniques in archives and heritage in a professional context.

  5. Synthesizing interdisciplinary knowledge in historic archives and heritage studies

Programme structure 

BAHAHS is a three-year program structured into six semesters, comprising a blend of core and elective courses, practical components, and a final-year project.

Assessment 

The programme assessment will be based on a combination of continuous assessment and a final examination. For theory courses, coursework will carry 40%, and the final examination will

carry 60% of the total marks, while for method courses, coursework and final examination both will carry 50% each. Practical Training will also be assessed in accordance with the UDSM Practical Training Regulations and procedures (2023).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Direct Entry:

  1. Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (C.S.E.E.) or equivalent, with passes in FIVE approved subjects, THREE of which must be at Credit level obtained before sitting for the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (A.C.S.E.E.) or equivalent; and

  2. Two principal level passes in appropriate subjects in the A.C.S.E.E. or equivalent, with total points from three subjects not below 5 based on the following grade-to-point conversion scale: A = 5; B = 4; C = 3; D = 2; E = 1; S = 0.5 and F = 0 points. Two principal passes in the following subject combinations: i) Social Sciences (History, Geography); ii) Languages (Kiswahili, Fasihiya Kiswahili, English Language, Literature in English, French, Chinese, German); iii) Arts (Fine Art, Theatre Arts, Music, Textile and Garment Construction); iv) Business (Economics, Commerce, Accountancy).

Equivalent qualifications: Archival Management, Library and information science, Museum Studies, Library Records and Information Studies, Cultural Heritage Management, Record Management, Archival Studies, Conservation and Restoration, Archaeology, History, Computer Science and Information Technology, and Architectural studies with an average of “B+’’ or a minimum GPA of 3.5, recognised by TCU guidelines and UDSM Senate.

A postgraduate diploma in a related discipline.

Duration
3 years