menu icon
Book your open day visit nowClick to book open day
Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture MA

Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture MA

Different course options

Full time | Regent Campus | 1 year | 23-SEP-24

Study mode

Full time

Duration

1 year

Start date

23-SEP-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Cultural Studies Museum / Gallery / Conservation Skills & Studies

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

The Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture MA examines how cultural institutions are changing to meet the needs of the 21st century. The MA is for you if you're pursuing a career as a museum professional, curator, or arts organiser. It will equip you with a critical understanding of the key conceptual and practical skills in curatorship, museology and museum management necessary for you to succeed in your professional life.

The course looks at the changing role of cultural provision and how cultural institutions shape, house, fund and disseminate culture today within the broader theoretical context of museum and gallery issues. You'll examine key themes in the cultural sector, and how these are dealt with by leading and smaller institutions in the UK and internationally. In studying and experiencing their day-to-day work, such as how they’re developing innovative practices in relation to their collections, exhibitions and audiences, you’ll gain valuable insight into the sector.

This MA gives you the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in contemporary debates about working practices in cultural institutions by working closely with museum and gallery professionals. You’ll be able to learn with our London-based course partners, The Museum of London and The Photographers’ Gallery, and to meet a variety of other professionals from the sector. Gaining professional knowledge is an important part of the course and you'll be supported in gaining work placements and in working on professional projects.

Modules

On this module you will learn about current debates being addressed by professionals in the sector and with the pressing issues that are facing arts and cultural institutions. These topics range from the changing role of organisations as public bodies and what their responsibilities are, to working in a post-recession economy where public funding is diminishing, to the ethics of sponsorship from the private sector. You will address topical issues such as the inclusivity and accessibility of organisations to audiences with disabilities and how museums deal with claims for the repatriation of artefacts to other countries.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£8,500

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£17,000

Entry requirements

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant discipline including culture and heritage studies, visual arts and media, languages and literature, and history. All applications from any prospective student without a degree in a relevant area or without higher education qualifications, including from candidates with demonstrable relevant work experience and relevant professional qualifications, will be carefully considered. Applicants may be asked to supply a written response to a set text to demonstrate suitability for the course.

University information

The University of Westminster is a global institution, hosting one of the most diverse student communities found at UK universities. With over 19,000 students at undergraduate and postgraduate level, together representing more than 160 nations worldwide. This is the university where individuality is encouraged, diversity is celebrated and anything is possible. The university offers student the chance to study at four different campuses, three...more