Course description

Our MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies course is ideal if you are considering a career in this sector and want to gain practical experience through placements during your studies, or if you are a professional and want to further develop your practice.

The course will see you examine diverse issues related to museum theory and practice, visit numerous museums, galleries and cultural organisations, and discuss ideas and issues with professionals and academics in the field.

You will take advantage of our excellent links to cultural organisations to access a range of exciting and valuable work placements.

Past placements have been at the Manchester Museum, The Whitworth, Tate Liverpool, Manchester Art Gallery, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester International Festival, The Royal Exchange Theatre and Chorlton Arts Festival, to name a few.

You'll also have opportunities to design and participate in live projects with cultural and heritage organisations in Manchester.

In addition, we take fieldtrips to cultural organisations in Manchester, the wider north-west of England and beyond. Regular trips include Liverpool, London, Oxford and Wales.

We also run an international trip to Amsterdam or Berlin, and previous students have taken part in a cultural exchange trip to Moscow.

The course is continually being reviewed and developed in response to new research, emerging critical approaches and shifts in museum practice.

Career opportunities

This course offers an important entry-level qualification for anyone seeking to pursue a career in museums or galleries.

It is also a valuable resource for continuing professional development for mid-career professionals.

In addition, the MA provides a thorough training in the skills needed to do further postgraduate research.

These skills in research design and planning are transferable to jobs in the museum sector, as well as being a vital first step to PhD research.

Job destinations vary according to the interests, ambitions and skills of each individual, but most of our students are successful in obtaining professional posts in collections, exhibitions, education, interpretation, or some aspect of museum/arts management soon after completing the MA.

You will benefit from lots of CV building opportunities on the course, and your supervisor provides you with personal and career development support.

You'll also have access to the award-winning Careers Service of the University, which provides support and advice in career development.