Program Overview

PGCert Museums and Galleries in Practice

Overview

This programme will cover sponsorship and marketing, audience development, regeneration and partnerships, and commerce/merchandise, giving a detailed insight into the ways that museums and galleries are managed.

Why Study PGCert Museums and Galleries in Practice at Goldsmiths

• Perhaps you already work in a museum or gallery and want some CPD experience. Or maybe you work in a different area but are thinking about a change of career. Either way, this programme is ideal for you.
• Through a combination of lectures, seminars, outside visits, interviews, projects, workshops, and presentations, you'll explore and develop your understanding of how museums and galleries work and their role in wider culture.
• This programme takes the view that museums and galleries are unique organisations and cannot be viewed in the same way as other start-up businesses or commercial ventures. Instead, it's a progressive way of developing commercial strands within the public sector. You'll be encouraged to explore different activities within museums and galleries, identify the target audiences for whom activities or resources have been developed, and the type of income raised.
• The programme will use case studies of large-scale public/cultural projects like the Unilever series in Tate Modern's Turbine Hall, and the Fourth Plinth project in Trafalgar Square. Many of the sessions will take place in a museum or gallery (for example, Tate, the V&A, National Gallery), where you'll be able to carry out practical research. You'll also be able to meet and engage with potential professional contacts in different departments.

Length

• Two 10-week courses taken one afternoon a week

Department

• Institute for Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship

What You'll Study

Overview

The programme is made up of two 30-credit modules:

• Exploring the Field of Museums and Galleries (30 credits)
• Museums and Galleries in Culture (30 credits)

You can start the course at either point in the year.

The programme aims to develop the skills of those who are thinking of embarking on a career in museums and galleries and those already engaged in professional museum roles.

Each module is designed to further your understanding about the museums and gallery sector and to equip you with the necessary tools to work in museums and galleries.

Teaching Style

• Taught sessions and lectures provide overviews of themes, which students are encouraged to complement with intensive reading for presentation and discussion with peers at seminars.
• Assessments build on lectures and seminars, so students are expected to attend all taught sessions to build knowledge and their own understanding of their chosen discipline.

Careers

This programme covers many different areas and roles within museums and galleries, including:

• Marketing
• Communications
• Programming
• Fundraising/development

You'll therefore finish the course with a good understanding of these areas and how they interact with each other. This could prove to be excellent experience if you're keen to obtain employment or a placement in these sectors in future.

The course is also ideal continuing professional development (CPD) for anyone already working in a museum or gallery.

Skills

By completing this programme, you'll be able to:

• Critically evaluate the main theories and concepts underpinning gallery and museum studies
• Analyse complex museum structures and the way that cultural organisations operate
• Understand how museums and galleries attract sponsorship, develop marketing strategies, and communicate their brands
• Network with gallery and museum professionals
• Develop and complete an independent research project

Entry Requirements

• You should normally have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second-class standard in a relevant/related subject.
• You might also be considered if you have at least two years' professional experience working in the creative industries.

International Qualifications

• We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

English Language Requirements

• If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme.

Fees and Funding

Annual Tuition Fees

• Home - Part-time: £3750

Funding Opportunities

• Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.

Additional Costs

• In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying.
• There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments.