Program Overview

Introduction to Museum Studies

The Museum Studies program is designed for individuals based in or near Hong Kong who wish to gain knowledge and skills to develop their career in museums, heritage, and the cultural sector or prepare for a research degree. The program is grounded in museum practice and informed by world-leading teaching and research.

Course Description

Museum Studies by Distance Learning provides a grounding in theoretical, methodological, and professional themes at the forefront of contemporary Museum Studies. The program will equip students with the skills and confidence to apply this knowledge within professional contexts. Students will gain insight into how museums and heritage organisations work, and the economic, political, social, and cultural purposes that they serve.

What to Expect

The program follows the same curriculum as the standard Museum Studies by distance learning but is delivered in partnership with Hong Kong University and designed for those based in or near Hong Kong. Students will learn from School of Museum Studies academics and visiting experts via a virtual learning environment, where recorded online lectures, live seminars, and short activities are supported by access to study notes and reading lists.

Entry Requirements

In recognition of the diverse employment needs of the culture sector, the program recognises and credits a range of prior qualifications and experiences. The requirements include:

• A first-class or second-class degree, which can be in any subject area
• 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
• If students do not have a degree, they will be asked to complete an assessment, such as an essay, to demonstrate their readiness for postgraduate study
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent

Fees and Funding

The tuition fees for the program are as follows:

• UK Students:
  • MA/MSc: ｣10,950
  • PGDip: ｣9,855
  • PGCert: ｣5,475
  • Short course: ｣1,370
• International Students:
  • MA/MSc: ｣18,950
  • PGDip: ｣17,055
  • PGCert: ｣9,475
  • Short course: ｣2,370

Careers and Employability

Collaborative working with museums and arts, cultural, and heritage organisations is critical to the development and delivery of the program. Graduates have gone on to occupy a range of roles in leading institutions, including the Hong Kong Museum of History and M+ West Kowloon Cultural District. Key transferable skills gained by graduates include networking, presentation, communication, and critical thinking.

Course Structure

The program offers various qualifications, including MA, MSc, PGDip, and PGCert. The course structure includes:

• Core modules:
  • The Museum and Change
  • Designing for Creative Lives
  • Objects and Collections: Care, Management, and Curation
  • Engaging Audiences
• Option modules:
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Museums and the Natural Environment
  • Heritage
  • Digital Museums and Contemporary Issues
  • Practice
  • Cultural Management and Marketing
• Research Project (MA/MSc only): a supervised research project on a topic of the student's choice

Why Leicester?

The University of Leicester has a reputation for outstanding research excellence in Museum Studies. The program is taught by internationally recognised experts and visiting speakers, and students will have access to a personal tutor and diverse learning resources. The university's flexibility and distance learning options allow students to study in their own time and at a pace that suits their other commitments.