Student experience
Brendan McGowan Brendan is Acting Museum Director /
Education & Outreach Officer at Galway City Museum. He graduated from GMIT in 2002 with a BA in Heritage Studies, after which he undertook an MA in Heritage Studies (by research) – both at the Galway campus. After graduating, Brendan worked with the Education & Outreach Department of the
National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, County Mayo, before moving to Galway City Museum in 2008. In 2012, he completed an MA in Museum Practice & Management through the University of Ulster. In his spare time, he worked as a freelance copywriter for tourist guides, including one for the Boyne Valley for Fáilte Ireland. His books include: Taking the Boat: The Irish in Leeds (2009), Eyre Square: Aspects of its History (2012) and Galway City through Time (2013). He has also worked as a project co-ordinator for an online project and archive (Untold Stories: the Leeds Irish Community). In 2014, he researched and developed an Obama exhibition in County Offaly (From Moneygall to the White House). He says he found the undergraduate course varied and interesting. Importantly, it was practical, with a lot of project work and off-site learning. He feels lucky to have done a course that he enjoyed, and which allowed him to develop a career doing what he loves most.
Other Essential Information: Students learn through lectures, tutorials, active learning, class discussions, film viewings, practical learning in computer and language labs, and online learning. There is also a strong emphasis on offsite teaching, with fieldtrips to heritage sites, museums and interpretative centres. Students can undertake a work placement module and can also study abroad for one or two semesters at one of our partner institutions in Europe or the USA. Follow-on Studies Graduates may progress to the final year of GMIT’s Level 8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Heritage Studies, by taking a one-year add-on programme. Progression to similar programmes in other higher education institutions is also possible. Postgraduate Studies Graduates of the Honours degree are eligible to apply for entry to a wide range of postgraduate programmes worldwide. They may also apply for entry to GMIT’s Level 9 MA in Heritage Studies (by research). Progression to GMIT’s Level 10 PhD in Heritage Studies (by research) is also possible
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