Program Overview

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Contemporary Curating (MA)

Award

Master of Arts

Typical Offer

2:1 degree

Duration

1 year

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Winchester

Next course starts

September 2025

About this course

Explore how to curate a compelling and relevant art exhibition within groups and independently. From curating contemporary performance to handling historic art objects, you'll learn how to apply practical skills to a variety of different art mediums and disciplines.

Our Contemporary Curating course gives you the theoretical, research and practical skills to work as a curator anywhere in the world. You’ll get professional experience managing projects in the Winchester Gallery, with unique access to the University’s vast network of practising artists, academics and researchers who will inform and inspire your curatorial practice.

By studying this MA in curating you’ll have the opportunity to:

• curate compelling art exhibitions based on research across disciplines and discourses
• develop critical thinking to collate and curate artworks which challenge the audience
• understand the current concerns and limitations of contemporary curation and culture
• get hands-on experience from practical workshops in object-handling and setting up exhibitions using lighting and tools
• attend visits to local and London-based art exhibitions where you’ll question and debate different curatorial approaches

Your learning will take place in the picturesque city of Winchester, where you'll join a thriving artist community with direct access to practising artists from Winchester School of Art.

The Winchester Gallery is based at Winchester School of Art and is open to the public. Your involvement in the gallery will give you real professional experience in understanding the practical and logistical requirements of curating.

You’ll consider your exhibition’s profile, including the theme, whether the location is private, or public, and how your audience interacts with the artwork. Your decisions as a curator will be research-led, referring to theoretical art concepts and critically reflecting on your own practice throughout.

We look at digital curation, the way artwork is stored, collected and archived online, considering benefits and limitations of digital curation in contemporary art.

Flexible study

If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:

• a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years

Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Sara Roberts is an exhibition curator with experience of working with museums, galleries, historic properties and off-site opportunities, nationally and internationally.

She has worked for the Imperial War Museum, London; Mostyn, Wales; and for three years toured exhibitions internationally for The British Council, including to the São Paulo Bienal and Istanbul Biennial.

She was Consultant Curator for Arts Council of Wales/National Trust Artists’ Residencies at Penrhyn Castle; and Curator-in-Residence for Projeto Maria Lucia Cattani in Porto Alegre, Brazil, resulting in an exhibition at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, December 2019.

She co-curated the exhibition and research project What Colour is Metal? with Dr Cóilín O’ Dubhghaill, with an international cohort of artists using innovative colouration techniques, for Dublin Castle and tour to National Design and Crafts Council, Kilkenny, . It will tour to the UK in 2022. She is a cultural producer for the Southampton City of Culture bid for 2025.

Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 degree or equivalent international qualification in arts, design, humanities, curating, art history, exhibition design, management, philosophy, communication, social sciences, marketing, psychology, and a two-page, written and visual portfolio document that details your curatorial experience to date.

Your portfolio should demonstrate your knowledge of curating and should include:

• a brief description of a curatorial project you’ve seen in the past year, explaining why this was interesting and what you gained
• an example of an art historical or curatorial text you’ve read in the past year
• a recent experience you’ve had in contemporary curating, explaining what you did and your responsibilities
• an explanation of what you did, if you assisted a curating experience
• an explanation of the projects you've been involved with
• information about the venues, the public or private funding and if you were a volunteer or paid

We do not accept the following subjects: geography, maths, engineering and science performing arts, computing and technology, education, economics, business, finance and trade, law, hospitality and tourism.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre-sessional English programmes before your course starts.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don’t have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning. Your application will be considered on individual merit.

Course structure

MA Contemporary Curating programme is studied over one year, full-time, and comprises a mix of core, compulsory and optional modules.

Semester 1 overview

For the full-time programme, taught modules in Semester 1, Curatorial Histories & Contexts, provides the conceptual underpinnings, critical research perspectives and empirical examples to inform your developing position as a curator.

You'll also study Objects and Methods, which emphasises the social significance of objects, and includes practical sessions on handling and display. You will apply this knowledge immediately in practice.

These are supported by a module in Professional and Academic Skills, which will improve your academic standards and research methods.

Semester 2 overview

You'll study two core modules in Semester 2: Curatorial Challenges and Experiments, and Curator as Practitioner. The former includes research and delivery of exhibition and/or event outcomes in response to a series of external ’prompts’ or briefs. These involve group work and individual assessment.

The latter, Curator as Practitioner module, considers the work of the curator in a variety of professional contexts; it examines the shape, interconnections and networks of the wider professional sphere.

You will also have the opportunity to select one optional module from a range offered by WSA. Options are subject to change from year to year. You will receive guidance from the Programme Leader in making your optional module selection.

The independent Dissertation or Final Project is undertaken during the summer on successful completion of Semester 2 modules. The emphasis with assessments is on authenticity, and you will be expected to produce, in turn, different kinds of documentation relevant to the devising and delivery of exhibitions and projects.

You will be supported in your development of credible and convincing proposals for independent curatorial projects, realised through either a written dissertation, or applied and contextualised in practice.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

Curator as Practitioner

This module articulates the professional relationships of the contemporary curator, and provides an opportunity for you to develop a clear conceptual position as a curator. It considers the work of the curator in a variety of professional contexts; it acknowledges the shape, interconnections and networks of the wider professional sphere.

Curatorial Challenges and Experiments

This module provides the experience, tools and skills necessary to respond to a range of curatorial challenges, individually, interactively and collectively. It provides a range of opportunity for you to experiment with curatorial practices, which will build your confidence and competence.

Curatorial Histories & Contexts

This module explores a range of historical, social and theoretical contexts for contemporary curatorial practice. It examines critical debates and practices, concepts and experiments, and will equip you with an array of appropriate skills and terminology to inform your developing position as a curator.

MACC Final Project

This module is the culmination of your studies on the MA Contemporary Curating programme, affording you the opportunity to demonstrate the theoretical and practical approaches to curation you have developed. Through tutorials and seminars, but primarily through independent study, you will develop a final project that showcases your curatorial skills and knowledge.

Objects and Methods

This module provides you with opportunities for the handling and presentation of cultural products, and an understanding of their capacity for value, significance and relationships with other objects and in a range of contexts. It develops your critical thinking and practical skills in object handling and display.

Professional and Academic Skills [MACC]

The practical application of academic and research skills in professional contexts

You must also choose from the following modules:

Creative Thinking and Problem Solving

The module been designed for the purpose of promoting and developing creative thinking and problem solving (CTPS) skills and addresses the need for individuals and teams who can ‘think outside the box’, and apply fresh thinking to practical, ‘real world’ problems.

Digital Cultures

Digital Cultures is an elective module covering a broad range of topics relating to the encounter with digital environments, audiovisual content and the aesthetics and politics of media technologies in historical and contemporary contexts. This module introduces you to the key concepts, theories and debates in the field of digital cultures.

Entrepreneurship

The module enables you to recognise entrepreneurial traits and behaviours and apply elements of these to the real world. With a strong orientation towards the future, realised through forecasting in both finance and marketing, the module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial process.

Experimental Publishing

The consideration of what publishing actual means today remains a relevant question for any creative practitioner. Over the past few years we have seen a huge rise in self-publishing, print on-demand services, tweeting and social media, from post-digital to post-internet.

Exploring the Visual Language of Display

The module provides thematic examples of the theories and practices of visual presentation and display explored through interdisciplinary and critical contexts appropriate to the MA pathways. It offers a number of critical “tools”, enhanced through referenced examples, to enable you to develop a sophisticated understanding of the visual language of display.

Global Marketing

The module seeks to advance your knowledge on key issues of globalization and changes to marketing approaches that have taken place due to internationalisation. The module situates the concepts and terminology of global marketing in a range of different contexts.

Sustainability in Business and Design

This module addresses critical perspectives in relation to sustainability and its impact in art, design and the creative industries. The module seeks to inform your thinking in relation to sustainability issues, be they environmental, social or economic, and to encourage you to develop a critical awareness of the role of sustainability in business and design.

Visual Culture

We live in a world that is saturated by images, from the far reaches of space to the sub-atomic level and just about everything in between. Images seem to have a special power in our lives, playing a part in the constructions of who and what we are and the world we inhabit.

Learning and assessment

You’ll participate in lectures, seminars and you’ll complete both independent study and practical group projects throughout the course. You’ll be expected to work independently on your final project during summer.

You’ll learn through a variety of different activities, including:

• managing an art gallery
• organising exhibitions
• field trips to exhibitions
• independent research
• critical and theoretical writing
• communicating with industry professionals

Assessment

You’ll be assessed by a combination of methods, including:

• group-organised exhibitions
• interim and final project
• essays
• presentations
• seminar research projects

Explore course modules for full details of learning and assessment.

Dissertation

You'll need to use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the programme to write a 7,500-word essay.

Academic Support

You'll have a mix of lectures and guided seminars during your first 2 semesters and then work over the summer on a final project.

Careers and employability

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

40 scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Study in Art and Media Technology Scholarship

There are 6 scholarships available to UK students studying an eligible full-time or part-time postgraduate master’s in the Department of Art and Media Technology. Eligible students will have 50% of their yearly tuition fees paid for the duration of their course.

To learn more about eligibility and conditions explore the Study in Art and Media Technology Scholarship page.

Winchester School of Art Progression Scholarship

This scholarship is available to all eligible UK and international Winchester School of Art graduates who go directly from an undergraduate to a master's degree within the school. You will get either £1500, £2,500 or £3,000 depending on the grade you get for your undergraduate degree.

Learn more about the Winchester School of Art Progression Scholarship.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email:
Tel:+44(0)

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