Program Overview

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Master of Curatorial Studies in Fine Arts (Research)

Course Details

The Master of Curatorial Studies in Fine Arts is a specialist degree that provides a high status and professional qualification suitable for graduates wishing to enter the museum profession in Australia or overseas as curators, exhibition organisers or researchers.

About the Course

The degree is run in collaboration with UWA museums and various external Western Australian public galleries, providing students with direct experience in curatorial research and exhibition presentation.

Course Structure

Students in this course prepare either a fully researched proposal for a major exhibition (at least 5000 words) and a fully publishable professional catalogue including an essay on all works proposed for exhibition (at least another 25,000 words); or a dissertation (at least 30,000 words) on an aspect of museology relevant to curatorial practice; or a detailed publishable catalogue raisonné (up to 30,000 words) of the works of an uncatalogued artist.

Students also complete a placement in a public gallery and prepare a detailed comparative report (up to 5000 words) in relation to this placement.

Careers and Further Study

Career Pathways

This specialist degree provides a high status and professional qualification suitable for graduates wishing to enter the museum profession in Australia or overseas as curators, exhibition organisers or researchers.

Further Study

Further postgraduate study options include the Doctor of Philosophy.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

There is no current fee information available for this course. Please visit the fee calculator to browse course fees from a previous year, or other courses.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee: $40,200.00 (2025)

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Postgraduate scholarships support UWA's position as one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities and the premier research institution in WA.

Admission Requirements

Qualifications

Qualifications equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with at least upper second class honours. Students without appropriate undergraduate qualifications are required to do preliminary work.

English Competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the University’s English language requirements to be eligible for a place.

How to Apply

Ready to join us? Find out how to apply through our online application portal. We’ll guide you through the application process including important steps, entry pathways and documents you’ll need.

Course Details

Status

Available

Locations

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Delivery

• On-campus

Starting Dates

By agreement with their supervisors, students may commence at any time throughout the year, except December.

Weekly Contact Time

• Full-time students are expected to spend at least 30 hours per week on their research, throughout the year.
• Part-time students are expected to spend at least 15 hours a week on their research, throughout the year.

Level of Study

Postgraduate

Course Code

25770

CRICOS Code

K

Full Time/Part Time Duration

2 years full-time

Degrees Course is Available In

Master of Curatorial Studies in Fine Arts

Excellent Facilities

At the School of Design, you’ll have access to well-equipped facilities including:

• Studio spaces
• Design Hub, a working space with senior student mentors available for assistance
• Digital fabrication equipment such as plastic extrusion 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC milling machines
• Multiple computer labs with 24-hour access
• Printmaking studio with etching presses and spray booths
• Multimedia production facilities
• Cullity Gallery, where you’ll have the opportunity to exhibit your work.

Life at the School of Design

UWA’s School of Design is a collaboration of creative thinkers and makers that includes landscape architects, urban designers, experimental artists, historians and architects.

Why Undertake Graduate Research?

Our students thrive from the challenge of independent research and the freedom to explore and focus on areas of interest. Many high-achieving students elect to undertake a research degree because they have the drive to progress as far as they can in their chosen field. There are also major benefits for career development.

Graduates of research degrees at UWA experience a high rate of success in employment because the generic or transferable skills required for success in their research degree are the same skills that are in high demand by employers. Gaining a research degree indicates to a prospective employer that you have excellent project and personal management skills, shows you can think independently and critically, solve problems and communicate effectively. Transferable skills developed through a research degree are durable and valuable, just as much as the content knowledge gained.

Form Connections

See what our students are up to by following the School of Design Facebook page, School of Design Instagram account and School of Design on LinkedIn.

The UWA ALVA Student Society is affiliated with the UWA Student Guild and represents students within the School of Design. Visit the ALVA Student Society on Facebook.