Art Gallery and Museum Studies

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons) in a relevant subject. Professional experience will also be considered.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information please contact the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies admissions team.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Studying the Art Gallery and Museum Studies MA you’ll develop your understanding of key ideas and issues in curatorship, museology and museum management. You'll apply the knowledge you gain to developing innovative approaches to curation, interpretation and engaging audiences, and build the knowledge and skills for a successful career in the museum and art gallery sector.

In this Masters course you’ll have the chance to explore and challenge key ideas that have shaped museum practice. You'll consider the ways in which material culture has been represented and interpreted by historians and cultural theorists, the methodologies behind museum practice and methods of display and interpretation, and put theory and practice into dialogue.

If you’re considering a career in this sector, or if you are currently working as a professional, this Masters course will develop your knowledge, understanding and practical experience, to prepare for your next step.

With access to a wide range of modules allowing you to explore theoretical approaches and their practical applications, you’ll have the opportunity to shape your learning path in the direction you choose.

A cultural hub

You'll study in the heart of a cultural hub for this diverse and vibrant region. Leeds is home to a wide variety of world-leading and innovative arts and heritage organisations, from the Royal Armouries, Opera North, Leeds Playhouse and Northern Ballet, to museums, galleries and heritage sites and many contemporary art spaces.

We are also close to everything the rest of Yorkshire has to offer, from The Hepworth Wakefield to the National Science and Media Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Brontë Parsonage Museum. We have close links with many of these cultural institutions to support your practical learning.

You'll become a member of the Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage and enjoy opportunities from networking events and links to alumni to conferences, seminars and reading groups.

Course tutors include researchers with a background in collections, curatorial, education and engagement work:

• Dr Robert Knifton (Programme Director)
• Dr Helen Graham
• Dr Nick Cass
• Professor Abigail Harrison Moore
• Dr Mark Westgarth
• Dr Kerry Bristol
• Dr Claudia Sternberg
• Dr Gill Park
• Dr Liz Stainforth
• Dr Jade French

Specialist facilities

Housed within a single central campus location, the School offers a modern and well-equipped learning environment with several studio and exhibition spaces.

Project Space is the School’s multi-purpose space designed for the development of curatorial practice and visiting exhibitions.

The Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections - valuable assets for your independent research.

In addition to the wide range of museums and galleries in the city and beyond, the University campus features:

• The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery
• Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery
• Museum of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine
• Marks & Spencer Company Archive
• International Textile Collection
• Public art trail
• stage@leeds performance venue

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Information for international students

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

Fees and funding

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans, scholarships and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.