Museum Studies MA, PGDip
Start in: September 2021
Develop the practical skills needed to operate a museum, whilst engaging with theories on the societal role of museums.
Overview
This Museum Studies master's covers a broad range of issues encountered in museum work. We'll provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to move into or enhance a career in museums. You'll gain a competitive edge by curating group exhibitions or organising and delivering complex education and learning events within high-profile public venues.
Our course is well established internationally. We've been educating museum professionals since 1993. We encourage a hands-on approach, involving major input from museum professionals regionally, nationally and internationally. These professionals range from small, independent museums to those who curate national collections and internationally significant exhibitions.
The PGDip, MA in Museum Studies is part of the School of Arts and Cultures and is taught by staff in Media, Culture and Heritage. Media, Culture and Heritage is a thriving, high-profile interdisciplinary research community. It is made up of postgraduate research students and experienced academic researchers who are key figures in their fields.
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Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.
View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information
Qualifications explained
Find out about the different qualification options for this course.
An MA is a taught master’s degree. It usually involves the study of social sciences, art and humanities, and business, consulting and management. It typically includes:
- subject-specific taught modules
- a dissertation or research project of approximately 15,000 – 18,000 words
You'll usually study an MA full time over 12 months.
A Master of Arts is awarded for the successful completion of 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit dissertation or research project.
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
A PGDip is awarded if you successfully complete all of the taught modules (120 credits).
Find out about different types of postgraduate qualifications
What you'll learn
The course covers all aspects of museum work. We provide a unique blend of theoretical knowledge, understanding and practical experience.
There's a flexible mixture of taught modules and a possible work-based placement.
Postgraduate Diploma students must complete six 20-credit modules (120 credits in total). MA students study the same modules plus one of our 60-credit dissertation modules (180 credits in total).
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
Optional modules availability
Some course have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
How you'll learn
We use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to help you achieve your learning objectives. This includes a large proportion of guided independent study. Scheduled contact time online or on campus in Newcastle city centre and includes:
- seminars
- practical sessions
- workshops
Part-time study consists of the same modules and options as the full-time course, but spread over a longer period.
The academic year usually starts in late September with Induction.
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Report
- Research proposal
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- courses
- groups
- notifications
- messages
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- our University Student Services Team
You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
The programme leader is Professor Andrew Newman.
Other personal tutors and supervisors of Museum Studies research projects include:
Your future
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2020 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
As a research student in Media, Culture, Heritage, you'll have access to a dedicated study space with:
- networked PCs
- printing
- photocopying facilities
You can also use the common room and kitchen to meet with fellow researchers and academics.
You'll have access to our top-quality facilities, plus the extensive cultural resources available on campus and in the city:
- our libraries and eResources
- the Great North Museum: Hancock, located on campus. It houses the collections that previously made up the Hancock Museum, the Shefton Museum of Greek Art and Archaeology (an internationally-renowned collection of over 1,000 Greek and Etruscan artefacts), and the Museum of Antiquities
- the Hatton Gallery, located on campus, has been at the heart of cultural life in the North East since the early 20th century
- the Language Resource Centre is a specialist language facility providing free access to self-study materials in 50 languages
- computing facilities with access to relevant databases and over 1,400 fully networked PCs
- the Gertrude Bell Archive
- non-campus facilities that are often used for student projects include Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums and the Victoria Tunnel
In addition to our expertise in heritage studies, the city of Newcastle and the wider region offers a wonderful resource. We've two World Heritage Sites, many heritage sites and over 80 regional museums and galleries. Much of the region's countryside is designated as National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.
If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.
What you're paying for
Tuition fees include the costs of:
- matriculation
- registration
- tuition (or supervision)
- library access
- examination
- re-examination
- graduation
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
- additional costs
- living costs
- tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts
If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.
You can check this in the How to apply section.
If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.
For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.
Search for funding
Find funding available for your course
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2021 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
How to apply
Using the application portal
The applicant portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.
You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.
If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the applicant portal.
Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.
Apply Online
Applications for 2022/23
You'll be able to apply for 2022/23 entry from September 2021
Open days and events
Open days
The situation with Covid-19 means that we're unable to hold open days on campus. However, you don’t have to visit in person to experience Newcastle.
From the comfort of your sofa you'll be able to:
- explore our beautiful campus
- find out about our vibrant city
- discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the courses you're interested in.
Find out about upcoming postgraduate open days
Events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
We also hold various online and virtual events.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Dr Joanne Sayner
Degree Programme Director
Media, Culture, Heritage
School of Arts and Cultures
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5336
Email: pgmch@ncl.ac.uk
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