Program Overview

MA Curation: Contemporary Art and Cultural Management

Overview

The MA Curation: Contemporary Art and Cultural Management is a one-year full-time program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the contemporary art world and its cultural management aspects. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to succeed in the art industry.

Entry Requirements

• 2:2 Honours degree or above, or international equivalent, in a subject that includes some coverage of Art History, Business Studies, Drama, English, Cultural Studies, or History.
• English language requirements: Profile B2.

Course Content

The program is divided into units of study called modules, which are assigned a number of credits. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload.

• Compulsory Modules:
  • AHVM001: Institutions and Agencies: the Business of Contemporary Art (30 credits)
  • AHVM002: Arts of the Contemporary World (30 credits)
  • AHVM003: Art Writing (30 credits)
  • AHVM005 or AHVM006: Dissertation or Curatorial Project (60 credits)
• Optional Modules:
  • AHVM004: Internship (30 credits)
  • AHVM007: Curating Society (30 credits)

Fees

• 2025/26 entry:
  • UK fees per year: £13,000 full-time, £6,500 part-time
  • International fees per year: £26,500 full-time, £13,250 part-time

Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers various scholarships, including the Exeter Excellence Scholarships, worth £5 million for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year.

Teaching and Research

The program is taught by lecturers at the cutting edge of contemporary art research and curatorial practice, as well as art history and visual culture. Key members of staff specialize in contemporary art and curation, as well as the history of art and architecture.

Placement

A partnership-based approach supports opportunities for work placements in prestigious museums and galleries (public or commercial).

Student Exhibitions

In the third and final term, students have the option to either organize a curatorial project or write a research dissertation.

Guest Lecturers

The program features guest lectures from internationally recognized curators, artists, researchers, and writers.

Careers

The program prepares students for graduate-level employment by developing a range of skills and attributes valued by employers. Potential career paths include:

• Public galleries/museums
• Curation
• Commercial galleries and dealerships
• Arts Investment and Wealth Management
• Arts and Culture Policy
• Heritage Management
• Academia
• Culture Management: Government Departments/Advisory Boards
• Marketing, PR, and Communications

Related Courses

• Theatre Practice MA
• International Film Business MA
• Film and Screen Studies MA
• English Literary Studies MA
• Publishing MA
• Creativity: Innovation and Business Strategy MA

Why Exeter?

The University of Exeter is consistently ranked highly for student satisfaction, with a strong reputation for research and teaching excellence. The program is based at the Streatham Campus in Exeter, which is one of the most beautiful in the country.