Program Overview

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Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture MA

Overview

The Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture MA examines how cultural institutions are changing to meet the needs of the 21st century. The MA is for you if you're pursuing a career as a museum professional, curator, or arts organiser. It will equip you with a critical understanding of the key conceptual and practical skills in curatorship, museology and museum management necessary for you to succeed in your professional life.

Course Structure

The course looks at the changing role of cultural provision and how cultural institutions shape, house, fund and disseminate culture today within the broader theoretical context of museum and gallery issues. You'll examine key themes in the cultural sector, and how these are dealt with by leading and smaller institutions in the UK and internationally. In studying and experiencing their day-to-day work, such as how they’re developing innovative practices in relation to their collections, exhibitions and audiences, you’ll gain valuable insight into the sector.

This MA gives you the unique opportunity to immerse yourself in contemporary debates about working practices in cultural institutions by working closely with museum and gallery professionals. You’ll be able to learn with our London-based course partners, The Museum of London and The Photographers’ Gallery, and to meet a variety of other professionals from the sector. Gaining professional knowledge is an important part of the course and you'll be supported in gaining work placements and in working on professional projects.

Top Reasons to Study with Us

• Study in London's museums and galleries – Classes take place off-site at museums and galleries in addition to at the University, giving you the opportunity to meet professionals in the places where they work
• Learn from industry experts – You'll gain valuable knowledge through talking to museum and gallery professionals about their careers, and current issues and practices in the sector
• Gain practical experience – The course has a strong vocational focus, and you'll have the opportunity to do practical projects for your assessments

Course Details

• Duration: 2 years
• Attendance: Part-time day - September 2025
• UK Fees: £4,500 *
• International Fees: £9,140 *
• Alumni Discount: See details
• Duration: 2 years
• Campus: Regent, Central London
• Price per academic year: *

Entry Requirements

• UK: A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant discipline, including culture and heritage studies, visual arts and media, languages and literature, and history. All applications from any prospective student without a degree in a relevant area or without higher education qualifications, including from candidates with demonstrable relevant work experience and relevant professional qualifications, will be carefully considered. Applicants may be asked to supply a written response to a set text to demonstrate suitability for the course.
• EU and International: A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a relevant discipline, including culture and heritage studies, visual arts and media, languages and literature, and history. All applications from any prospective student without a degree in a relevant area or without higher education qualifications, including from candidates with demonstrable relevant work experience and relevant professional qualifications, will be carefully considered. Applicants may be asked to supply a written response to a set text to demonstrate suitability for the course.

Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience

If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.

Application Process

Visit our How to apply page for more information on:

• the application process
• what you need to apply
• deadlines for application

Careers

On graduating, you'll have the skills to work in a variety of positions in the cultural sector.

• Build industry connections: Throughout the course, you're encouraged and supported to get involved with cultural institutions through internships, work placements and projects.
• Experience cultural London: Based in the heart of central London, you'll be ideally placed to explore the city's museums, galleries and cultural institutions and immerse yourself in London's arts scene.
• Employers around the world: The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
• Work experience: You'll have the opportunity to gain valuable experience through projects with our partner museums and galleries, where you can work as a volunteer.
• Industry links: We work closely with major museums and galleries including the National Maritime Museum, Museum of London, Hayward Gallery and The Photographers’ Gallery, teaching our classes at these institutions and others, with the assistance of their curators.

Graduate Employers

Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:

• Centre Pompidou, Paris, France
• Design Museum, London
• Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia
• Migration Museum, London
• Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Job Roles

This course will prepare you for a variety of roles, including:

• Art gallery curator
• Arts and media strategist and adviser
• Collections manager
• Education and interpretation officer
• Funding officer
• Learning and education officer
• Museum curator
• Public events manager

Teaching and Assessment

Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course.

• Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
• Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

Year 1:

• 14% Scheduled hours
• 78% Independent study
• 8% Placement

Year 2:

• 13% Scheduled hours
• 83% Independent study
• 4% Placement

Research Groups

Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

Find out more about our research groups related to this course:

• Institute for Modern and Contemporary Culture

Supporting You

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

Our Regent Campus is composed of three sites, situated on and around Regent Street – one of the most famous and vibrant streets in London.

Our Humanities subjects are based at 309 Regent Street, which includes recently refurbished social spaces, gym facilities and our Regent Street Cinema.

Related Courses

• Art and Visual Culture MA
• Cultural and Critical Studies MA
• Museums, Galleries and Contemporary Culture with Professional Experience MA