Museum Studies (Hong Kong) MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, short course by distance learning

Program Overview

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Museum Studies (Hong Kong) MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, short course by distance learning

Course Description

Grounded in museum practice and informed by world-leading teaching and research, Museum Studies by Distance Learning provides a grounding in theoretical, methodological, and professional themes at the forefront of contemporary Museum Studies and will equip you with the skills and confidence to apply this knowledge within professional contexts.

You will gain insight into how museums and heritage organisations work, and the economic, political, social, and cultural purposes that they serve. You will also learn how to communicate with publics and stakeholders; set up exhibitions and programmes, and care for objects and collections.

What to Expect

The programme follows the same curriculum as our 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. You will learn from School of Museum Studies academics and visiting experts via our virtual learning environment, where recorded online lectures, live seminars and short activities are supported by access to study notes and reading lists. You will also be supported throughout the course by a Leicester-based tutor and benefit from a Hong Kong sited Study Week led by School of Museum Studies academics (the Study Week is subject to a minimum number of students).

Virtual study visits and external speakers will allow you to understand how course topics are implemented within real-life contexts and provide opportunities for critical thinking beyond reading materials. You will be offered specialist options - including Heritage, the Digital world and a Practice module that involves working on a project within a museum, gallery or cultural institution. If you are completing an MA or MSc degree, you will also undertake a supervised research project on a topic of your choice.

Short Course

It is possible to take the module called {/mod:MU7550} as a short course on its own.

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

You should be able to demonstrate a commitment to, or strong interest in, museums, galleries, or other kinds of heritage or cultural organisation.

If you do not have a degree, you will be asked complete an assessment, such as an essay, so as to demonstrate your readiness for postgraduate study. Clear guidance will be provided on assessment criteria. You may also be required to attend an interview.

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.

International Qualifications

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

Fees and Funding

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 our courses, and your professional development is central to the curriculum.

Our 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; National Galleries of Scotland, British Museum and Natural History Museum; Chatsworth House and the National Trust, the Guggenheim and National Museum Ireland.

Those contributing to our Alumni Centenary Census (2022) stated that they had also gained key transferable skills including networking, presentation, communication and critical thinking.

Related Courses

• Museum Studies
• Socially Engaged Practice in Museums

Course Structure

MA/MSc

• Four core modules
• Four optional modules
• Research Project (MA/MSc only)

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)

Your final Research Project can be submitted as an academic research paper or a sector-facing report or proposal (8000 words in each case).

PGDip

• Four core modules
• Four optional modules

PGCert

• Four core modules

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. We have acquired a global reputation for leading-edge thinking and experimental practice in museum studies, and the REF 2021 evaluation found that 100% of our research had real-world impact.

Our Expertise. Our teaching is research-led and informed by real-world practices and challenges. You will learn from internationally recognised experts and visiting speakers via our virtual learning environment, where online pre-recorded lectures and optional live seminars are supported by access to a personal tutor and diverse learning resources.

Your professional development. Collaboration with art institutions, museums and cultural organisations is central to the development and delivery of our postgraduate programmes. All School of Museum Studies graduates can join the Museum Studies Connect network, which brings together a community of professionals working in the arts, museum, and heritage sectors worldwide.

Our flexibility. Designed for students with busy lives, our distance learning programmes allow you to study in your own time and at a pace that suits your other commitments. As well as four core modules, we offer a choice of option modules to suit your specific interests and ambitions.

Teaching and Learning

We pride ourselves on innovative teaching techniques and high-quality contact time. Museum Studies by Distance Learning is an interactive programme, and our forms of assessment are designed to be both varied and inclusive. Your personal tutor will provide pastoral care and academic advice throughout.

Our learning materials, including study materials, reading lists and video, sit within a virtual learning environment. While online recorded lectures introduce you to key concepts and case studies, optional live seminars create an opportunity to engage in discussion with your peers and tutors. As well as this, you will also learn through completing short activities and carrying out independent research and reading.

You will also attend our annual study week at the University of Hong Kong, which is an opportunity to meet School of Museum Studies academics and peers in person. Please note that the Hong Kong Study Week is subject to there being a minimum number of students on the programme. We will also encourage you to make self-led visits to museums and arts, cultural and heritage institutions in your own area, so that you can engage with current practice through the lens of your postgraduate studies.

Key Dates

• Start date: 6 October 2025
• Application deadline for October 2025 start: 15 September 2025
• Start date: 13 April 2026
• Application deadline for April 2026 start: 23 March 2026

Program Outline

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Museum Studies (Hong Kong) MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

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Degree Overview:

This program is designed for individuals based in or near Hong Kong who wish to develop their careers in museums, heritage, and the cultural sector or prepare for a research degree. It provides a grounding in theoretical, methodological, and professional themes at the forefront of contemporary Museum Studies. The program equips students with the skills and confidence to apply this knowledge within professional contexts.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• Grounded in museum practice and informed by world-leading teaching and research.
• Covers theoretical, methodological, and professional themes at the forefront of contemporary Museum Studies.
• Provides insight into how museums and heritage organizations work, and the economic, political, social, and cultural purposes they serve.
• Teaches communication with publics and stakeholders, exhibition and program setup, and object and collection care.

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Program Structure:

• Follows the same curriculum as the standard Museum Studies by distance learning program.
• Delivered in partnership with Hong Kong University.
• Delivered through a virtual learning environment with recorded online lectures, live seminars, short activities, study notes, and reading lists.
• Supported by a Hong Kong-based tutor.
• Includes a Hong Kong-based Study Week led by School of Museum Studies academics.

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Modules:

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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

---

Research Project (MA/MSc only):

• Can be submitted as an academic research paper or a sector-facing report or proposal (8000 words in each case).

---

Teaching:

• Taught by academics from the School of Museum Studies and visiting experts.
• Delivered through a virtual learning environment with recorded online lectures, live seminars, and short activities.
• Supported by a Hong Kong-based tutor.
• Includes a Hong Kong-based Study Week led by School of Museum Studies academics.
• Includes virtual study visits and external speakers to understand how course topics are implemented in real-life contexts.

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Careers:

• 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; National Galleries of Scotland, British Museum and Natural History Museum; Chatsworth House and the National Trust, the Guggenheim and National Museum Ireland.
• Graduates have gained key transferable skills including networking, presentation, communication, and critical thinking.

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Other:

• The program is designed for students with busy lives and allows them to study in their own time and at a pace that suits their other commitments.
• The program offers a choice of option modules to suit students' specific interests and ambitions.
• Students are encouraged to make self-led visits to museums and arts, cultural and heritage institutions in their own area to engage with current practice through the lens of their postgraduate studies.