The M2 HESP-ReV offers two distinct specializations, while maintaining a significant portion of common coursework. A “research” track, available only as initial or continuing education, culminates in the writing of an original research thesis. A “heritage-enhancement” track, which is professionally oriented and takes place on a work-study basis (theoretical training at the university, practical implementation of a heritage-enhancement project in a company, government agency, or association).
The M2 HESP-ReV offers two distinct specializations, while maintaining a significant portion of common coursework. A “research” track, available only as initial or continuing education, culminates in the writing of an original research thesis, which remains the main objective of the program, opening primarily, but not exclusively, to careers in teaching and research (with the possibility of pursuing a doctorate). The program places particular emphasis on the economic, social, and technical aspects of the discipline. A “heritage enhancement” (public history) track, which is professionally oriented, is offered on a work-study basis (two days per week of theoretical training at the university, three days per week of practical application of a enhancement project in a company, government agency, or association). This track mainly opens up emerging career opportunities that meet a strong social demand for the enhancement of a wide variety of heritage sites.
Information
Skills
- Analyze historical and geographical dynamics to understand a social context and spatial changes.
- Select relevant elements from a complex set of information to answer a question.
- Produce acceptable information in a scientific context.
- Communicate information to various audiences.
- Act individually and collectively within a work group.
Objectives
- The M2 research specialization aims to train history students in research, with an emphasis on the economic, social, and technical aspects of the discipline. It draws on the research areas of IDHES, a CNRS laboratory focused on the study of economic and social dynamics in society (URM 8533). Within this research unit, IDHES-Évry's specific contributions concern the history of businesses, labor, trade, mobility, cities, the environment, and natural heritage, linking practices and representations from antiquity to the present day.
- The program aims to consolidate a foundation of knowledge in history and social sciences and disciplinary expertise. Its main objective is to enable students to master the entire historical research process, responsibly and with relative autonomy. This involves developing an original research project, a topic, and a research question. It involves identifying appropriate sources, exploring them, and compiling a body of documentation. It enables students to acquire the skills to study different sources, including written and iconographic sources, oral testimonies, archaeological remains, architectural and museum heritage, etc. Students must problematize and contextualize their analyses, use bibliographic resources (including in foreign languages, such as English, which is taught as a specialized subject from the M1 level onwards), and then organize, structure, write, and defend a thesis of between 150 and 250 pages in accordance with the standards of the discipline. In professional terms, training units are offered for mastery of academic writing (theses, articles, etc.) and oral presentation (presentations, study days, conferences, etc.).
- The M2 specialization in “heritage enhancement” also aims to equip students with the historical skills needed to identify, analyze, and exploit data such as: “traditional” archives (manuscripts, printed documents, etc.), iconographic and audiovisual media, and interviews (oral archives). These skills enable students to produce: expert reports on the “CVs” of companies and sites in written and/or audiovisual form; works on “company history” and “memories of industrial territories”; employee memoirs; indexed documentary files and portfolios; interoperable databases; valuations of the tangible and intangible heritage of companies; 3D reconstructions and restitutions of sites, buildings, machines, and workstations; virtual models of spaces, places, processes, mechanisms, and gestures; documentary films to report on the various research results; promotional exhibitions, etc.
- These applied history skills will be put into practice in a professional context through work-study training, responding to the needs of the employing organization (company, local authority, association, etc.). Once the promotion project is complete, the student will produce and present a detailed, reflective report on their experience.
Career Opportunities
Career prospects
Médiateur scientifique
Chargé de mission
Doctorant
Ingénieur d’études
Chargé d’études
Journaliste
Chargé de marketing / communication
Enseignant 1er degré
Enseignant / Professeur
Enseignant / Formateur
Chercheur
Médiateur
Chargé de recherche
Documentaliste
Bibliothécaire
Après Master + Doctorat : chercheur ou enseignant-chercheur
Archiviste
chargé de communication culturelle
Chargé de mission environnement
chargé de production (culture)
Chargé de projet culturel
chargé de valorisation culturelle
chargé d'événementiel culturel
Chargé·e d’évènementiel sportif d’une collectivité
Consultant·e
médiateur culturel
Ingénieur d’études dans les domaines de la recherche
enseignant.e (après le concours du CAPES ou de l'agrégation)
enseignant.e-chercheur.se (après un doctorat)
Ingénieur de recherche ou d'études
journaliste culturel.le
Métiers de la médiation culturelle
métiers de la recherche
Records manager
rédacteur.rice spécialisé.e
Further Study Opportunities
Concours administratifs
Chargé·e d’études
Chef·fe de projet/de mission
Doctorat
Ingénieur d'études
Les diplômés peuvent être recrutés par voie de contrat de travail, de droit privé ou de droit public, mais peuvent aussi s'orienter vers les concours des fonctions publiques et des concours ou examens professionnels
Mastère spécialisé
Master Etudes politiques
Master Métiers de l'Éducation et de l’Enseignement
PhD
Professeur agrégé en classes préparatoires ou à l'université ou dans un institut scientifique
Professeur agrégé en lycée et en collège dans l'enseignement secondaire
Thèse de doctorat
Fees and scholarships
The amounts may vary depending on the programme and your personal circumstances.
Admission Route
Capacity
Available Places
Target Audience and Entry Requirements
Level of Master 1 research in history or equivalent experience in heritage enhancement (VAE). Good level of written and oral expression. Regular reading, solid grounding in general and historical culture, intellectual curiosity, ability to synthesize and analyze, strong work capacity. Respect for the rules of historical method. Good command of information and communication technologies.
Application Period(s)
From 30/01/2026 to 25/04/2026
Supporting documents
Compulsory supporting documents
Motivation letter.
Professional project.
All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.
Certificate of French (compulsory for non-French speakers).
Curriculum Vitae.
Detailed description and hourly volume of courses taken since the beginning of the university program.
The application procedure, which depends on your nationality and your situation is explained here : https://urlz.fr/i3Lo.
Additional supporting documents
VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).
Supporting documents :
- Residence permit stating the country of residence of the first country
- Or receipt of request stating the country of first asylum
- Or document from the UNHCR granting refugee status
- Or receipt of refugee status request delivered in France
- Or residence permit stating the refugee status delivered in France
- Or document stating subsidiary protection in France or abroad
- Or document stating temporary protection in France or abroad.