Program Overview

Socially Engaged Practice in Museums and Galleries MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, short course, by distance learning

Overview

This course is designed for individuals who want to develop skills and expertise in addressing contemporary social issues in museums and galleries. It offers a flexible, part-time program that can be completed in 2 months to 2 years.

Course Description

The course will examine the role of museums and practitioners in shaping society's understandings of contemporary issues, upholding antiracist and anti-oppression values of inclusivity and accessibility, and ensuring that museums benefit their communities. It brings together cutting-edge examples of socially driven professional practice in dialogue with research undertaken by academics within the School of Museum Studies.

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.

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.

Fees and Funding

UK Students

• MA/MSc: £10,950
• PGDip: £9,855
• PGCert: £5,475
• Short course (one module): £1,370

International Students

• MA/MSc: £18,950
• PGDip: £17,055
• PGCert: £9,475
• Short course (one module): £2,370

Careers and Employability

Our Museum Studies graduates have been employed in some of the largest and most prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, in addition to some smaller specialist and local institutions.

Course Structure

MA/MSc Modules

• Core modules:
  • Exploring Socially Engaged Practice in Museums and Galleries
  • Ethical Practice: Access, Liberation, and Organisational Change
  • Activist Practice: Methods of Empowerment
  • Museums and Transformation: Evidencing Need and Assessing the Impact of Socially Engaged Practice
• Option modules:
  • Objects and Collections: Care, Management and Curation
  • Cultural Management and Marketing
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Museums and the Natural Environment
  • Heritage
  • Digital
  • Practice
  • Cultural Management and Marketing
• Dissertation

PGDip Modules

• Core modules:
  • Exploring Socially Engaged Practice in Museums and Galleries
  • Ethical Practice: Access, Liberation, and Organisational Change
  • Activist Practice: Methods of Empowerment
  • Museums and Transformation: Evidencing Need and Assessing the Impact of Socially Engaged Practice
• Option modules:
  • Objects and Collections: Care, Management and Curation
  • Cultural Management and Marketing
  • Lifelong Learning
  • Museums and the Natural Environment
  • Heritage
  • Digital
  • Practice
  • Cultural Management and Marketing

PGCert Modules

• Exploring Socially Engaged Practice in Museums and Galleries
• Ethical Practice: Access, Liberation, and Organisational Change
• Activist Practice: Methods of Empowerment
• Museums and Transformation: Evidencing Need and Assessing the Impact of Socially Engaged Practice

Teaching and Learning

You will be supported by a dedicated team of academics, tutors, and support staff. You will be allocated a personal tutor who can advise you on a range of issues and support you. In addition, for each module, you will be allocated a module tutor who is a specialist in that particular field.

Assessment

There is one piece of assessed coursework for each of the core modules. Together, these form a carefully designed, broad range of assignments including essays, project work, discussions, and presentations as well as practical exercises.

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