Program Overview

Art Museum and Gallery Studies MA, PGDip

Course Description

Art Museum and Gallery Studies puts museums in relation to the diverse network of spaces where art is made, defined, experienced, and debated. Grounded in professional experience and cutting-edge research, our programme provides expert training in art history, curating, collections, public engagement, and the social and political agency of art.

What to Expect

• Gain insight into the work of art institutions and understand how they can become more accessible, representative, and relevant.
• Develop experience of art handling, curating, and collections, and historical, theoretical, and contextual knowledge and understanding of artistic, creative, and professional practices.
• Engage with critical concepts, issues, and methodologies and provide the flexibility to develop your own research interests.

Entry Requirements

• Either a first-class or second-class degree, which can be in any subject area.
• Or be able to demonstrate equivalent skills and aptitudes through the possession of a professional or vocational qualification and/or the accrual of relevant work experiences.
• Relevant experience can come from a wide spectrum of work or voluntary environments, but clear evidence of this experience must be provided.
• A commitment to, or strong interest in, museums, galleries, or other kinds of heritage or cultural organisation.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 6.5 or equivalent.
• If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
• If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

• Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships, and additional requirements.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• MA: £12,100
• PGDip: £9,680

International Students

• MA: £22,300
• PGDip: £17,840

Careers and Employability

• Collaboration with art institutions, cultural organisations, and museums is central to the development and delivery of our postgraduate programmes.
• Our dedicated employability staff provide guidance on identifying and meeting career aims; developing your CV; completing applications and preparing for interviews.
• The eight-week work placement module will offer crucial professional experience.

Work Placement

• All students on our campus-based masters programmes undertake an 8-week, full-time, work placement between July and September.
• This placement is a highlight of the year and it provides valuable sector experience and network building opportunities.

Modules

• Locating Art
• Making Art History
• Curating Now
• Managing Art Collections
• Designing for Creative Lives
• Entering the Field
• Research Project (MA only)
• Practice (double module)

Why Leicester?

• Our reputation: Museum Studies is the first and largest academic unit in its field worldwide and continues to be recognised for outstanding research excellence.
• Our expertise: All our teaching is research-led and informed by real-world practices and challenges.
• Our location: Leicester is a vibrant and diverse city whose creative communities connect to the University via the Universities Partnership and Heritage Hub.

Teaching and Learning

• As an MA Art Museum & Gallery Studies student, you will be taught by the programme’s core academic team.
• Taught modules are delivered sequentially and will include lectures; seminars; workshops; guided independent study; group work, and study visits engaging with contemporary practice nationally.
• One to one personal tuition will provide access to pastoral support and space to reflect on your learning and professional development.

Key Dates

• Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
• Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
• CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
• 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025

Applying for

• Course: Art Museum and Gallery Studies
• Qualification: MA, PGDip
• Duration: 1 year full-time, 9 months full-time
• Start Dates: September each year
• Availability: Apply Now