Program Overview

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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 following modules are indicative of what you'll study on this course.

Core Modules

Current Issues in Museum and Galleries

This module focuses on key topics that are fundamental to the discipline of museum and gallery studies. It engages with current debates being addressed by professionals in the sector and with the pressing issues that are facing arts and cultural institutions.

MA Dissertation or MA Project

You'll take either the MA Dissertation or the MA Project:

• MA Dissertation: Development, execution, and writing-up of an independent research project on a topic chosen by you. You'll attend regular research seminars. Individual supervision will provide topic-specific guidance.
• MA Project: Development, execution, and writing-up of a practice-based research project on a topic chosen by you involving practical work in a creative or professional capacity. You'll attend regular research seminars. Individual supervision will provide topic-specific guidance.

Option Modules

Art Institutions and Contemporary Culture

This module examines how art institutions define their roles and priorities within the contemporary art world.

Collecting Today: Curating, Presenting and Managing Collections

Collections lie at the heart of a museum, often shaping its historical development, and its evolution as a modern institution.

Engaging the Archive

This module introduces you to the practical and theoretical issues of using archives for the purposes of research or exhibition.

Exhibiting Photography

This module looks in detail at the practical and conceptual steps involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of contemporary photographic exhibitions, and of associated programmes of events and activities.

Heritage in Action

This module focuses on issues of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the UK and globally, expanding knowledge beyond museums and galleries.

Management in Cultural and Heritage Institutions

This module is a critical exploration of the structure of the culture and heritage sector, the different kinds of institutions represented within it, and their relationships with political bodies, funders, and the leisure and tourism industry.

Museum Narratives, Audiences and Programming

This module looks in detail at the way that museums develop content for the public.

Representing World Cultures

This module examines the issues and practices involved in presenting non-western cultures to a diverse audience through visual practices.

Social Justice and Representational Practices in Cultural Institutions

Social justice, participation, and inclusivity are key concerns for contemporary arts organisations and museums.

Work Placement in Cultural Institutions

In this module you can gain first-hand experience of working within a professional context.

Partnerships

Modules on this course have been designed as partnerships with The Photographers' Gallery and the Museum of London.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fees and Funding

UK

• UK tuition fee: £9,700 (Price per academic year)

International

• International tuition fee: £19,500 (Price per academic year)

Teaching and Assessment

How You’ll Be Taught

Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.

How You’ll Be Assessed

Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:

• Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
• Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

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.

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