Seal of Trinity Hospital, gift of Sir William Heyricke in 1615
Discover the story of the Newarke, a medieval precinct founded in 1330.
This small, picturesque area has a surprisingly rich history connected to many notable names and historic events across the centuries, including the story of King Richard III, the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution.
DMU’s association with the Newarke dates back to 1897, when the Hawthorn Building was constructed to house our predecessor, the Leicester Municipal Technical and Art School.
As the institution grew so did its occupancy of the site, incorporating medieval buildings and factories into a 21st-century university.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The DMU Museum opened in 2015 and is built around the only remaining ruins of the medieval Church of the Annunciation.
Designed by second year Interior
Design students, the space features two permanent galleries; one highlighting Leicester’s medieval Newarke precinct and the other a timeline celebrating 150 years of DMU as a teaching institution.
In addition, the space hosts two temporary galleries designed to
change regularly and support a variety of exhibition topics, including DMU owned collections, staff research, student work, and local and national partnerships.
The Museum has become a fundamental teaching and learning space for the university, with several courses integrating exhibition visits and lectures into their modules. It is also open to the general public and has been warmly welcomed into Leicester’s heritage scene.
Student placement and volunteering roles are great ways to learn the basics about working in a museum environment. We offer a number of opportunities that can be tailored to your interests and aim to:
• provide a practical, hands-on learning experience that supports your academic study and/or career path
• develop the skills needed for the museum and heritage sector
• introduce the everyday expectations of the workplace
• create a personal development plan to help you reach your goals
• share and promote the heritage of our campus
PROGRESS MONITORING
Throughout the placement you will keep a progress record of the projects you are involved in as well as the skills you have developed along the way.
Please note this is not a performance log, it is simply a useful tool to refer to when applying for future employment opportunities.
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support the DMU Museum Team in the delivery of a range of exciting upcoming events throughout 2025. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a heritage environment, meet new people, and play an active role in bringing Leicester’s rich history to life. Volunteers will primarily assist with invigilation and visitor engagement during key events including our monthly Heritage Sundays, the vibrant Riverside Festival on 7th and 8th June, and the international ICOM-CC Conference, which will be hosted on the DMU campus in October. Whether you’re passionate about history, culture, or simply want to contribute to your local community, we’d love to hear from you.
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Welcoming visitors and offering guidance at events
• Supporting the delivery of public events
• Assisting with activities
• Opportunities to volunteer at a range of events
• Opportunities to assist with pop-up exhibtions, displays and social media posts
• Gaining experience of working as part of a small museum team
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
You do not need previous experience in the heritage sector, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. However, this role is great for anyone looking to build or develop the following:
• Confidence in public-facing roles and communication skills
• Teamwork and problem-solving in a busy environment
• An interest in history and heritage
• An understanding of visitor care and accessibility
