Museum Studies MA, PGDip

Overview

Our Museum Studies course 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 one of the North East’s flagship venues; the Great North Museum: Hancock

We've been educating museum professionals since 1993 and our course is well established internationally. We encourage a hands-on approach, involving major input from museum professionals working regionally, nationally and internationally. These professionals range from small, independent museums to those who curate national and international collections.

In addition to our expertise in museum studies, the city of Newcastle and the wider region offer a wonderful resource. We have over 80 regional museums and galleries and many heritage sites including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Durham Cathedral and Hadrian’s Wall. Much of the region's countryside is designated as National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The course is part of Media, Culture, Heritage in the School of Arts and Cultures. You will be part of a dynamic group of experienced academic researchers, heritage practitioners, doctoral researchers and fellow students from around the world.

Learn more about the Museum Studies programme on our Museum, Galleries and Heritage webpage

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

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, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

Qualifications explained

Find out about the different qualification options for this course.

MA - Master of Arts

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.

PGDip - Postgraduate Diploma

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.

You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake an optional placement with one of the cultural organisations in our extensive regional and national network of cultural venues. The course content reflects the current pressing debates in museum studies, research and practice.

You'll take four compulsory modules and two optional modules. MA students also choose a research dissertation or a 25-day placement.

Hear more from our alumni about what they learned on our programmes

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.

Course content changes

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.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Museum Studies MA modules

Compulsory modules

In Semester 1, you will take the following three compulsory modules that will give you a broad understanding of the sector and its contexts:  

• Museums, Galleries and Heritage in Society (20 credits)
• Understanding Objects, Collections and Stories in Museums, Galleries & Heritage  (20 credits)
• Working with Collections, Communities and Archives in Museums  (20 credits)

In Semester 2, all Museum Studies students take this compulsory module: 

• Producing Curatorial Projects for Museum Audiences  (20 credits)

Optional modules

You’ll also choose two optional modules from the following that will allow you to explore your interests further:  

• Digital Communication for Cultural Institutions and Organisations  (20 credits)
• Management Practices in Museum, Galleries and Heritage Studies  (20 credits)
• Museum, Gallery, Heritage Practice (10-day placement) (20 credits) *

In Semester 3, you will choose to either take a 25-day placement* with a reflective assignment (6,000 words - 60 credits) or carry out a research dissertation (8,000 words - 60 credits). 

 

 *You can choose either the 10-day placement module in Semester 2 or the 25-day placement in Semester 3.  

Museum Studies PGDip modules

Compulsory modules

In Semester 1, you will take the following three compulsory modules that will give you a broad understanding of the sector and its contexts:  

• Museums, Galleries and Heritage in Society (20 credits)
• Understanding Objects, Collections and Stories in Museums, Galleries & Heritage  (20 credits)
• Working with Collections, Communities and Archives in Museums  (20 credits)

In Semester 2, all Museum Studies students take this compulsory module: 

• Producing Curatorial Projects for Museum Audiences  (20 credits)

Optional Modules

You’ll also choose two optional modules from the following that will allow you to explore your interests further:  

• Digital Communication for Cultural Institutions and Organisations  (20 credits)
• Management Practices in Museum, Galleries and Heritage Studies  (20 credits)
• Museum, Gallery, Heritage Practice (10-day placement) (20 credits)

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

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 is online or on-campus in Newcastle city centre and includes:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical sessions
• workshops
• crits
• briefings
• study visits

Part-time study consists of the same modules and options as the full-time course but spread over a longer period (normally 24 months).

The academic year usually starts in late September with Induction.

See some examples of student projects on our Museums, Galleries and Heritage webpage

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Report
• Written exercise

Student support

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:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

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.

Our staff

The degree programme director for this programme Dr Katie Markham

Learn more about our staff on the Museums, Galleries and Heritage webpage

Personal tutors and supervisors of Museum Studies research projects include:

• Dr Emma Coffield
• Dr Bruce Davenport
• Dr Susannah Eckersley
• Dr Areti Galani
• Dr Antonio Gonzalez
• Dr Katie Markham
• Prof Rhiannon Mason
• Dr Dora Merai
• Dr Alistair Robinson
• Dr Joanne Sayner
• Iain Wheeldon
• Prof Chris Whitehead

Your future

Careers

We'll equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for a career in the museums and heritage sector. Our course attracts graduates from across the globe and students are given the opportunity to build a portfolio of work that translates globally.

On successful completion of the course students can be employed in the following roles:

• Curator / Senior Curator / Assistant Curator
• Exhibitions and Displays Officer
• Cultural Participation and Community Curator
• Inclusion Coordinator
• Museum Collections and Operations Manager
• Exhibition Designer

For institutions such as:

• National Museums Scotland
• National Trust
• City of Edinburgh Council
• NHS Digital
• London Transport Museum
• National Lottery Heritage Fund (UK)

As an MA Museum Studies student at Newcastle University, you'll develop a wide range of transferable skills. These range from presentation and research skills to team-working and project management, which are highly sought after by employers.

Further Study

This Museum Studies MA provides a route into PhD level study. 

Our Careers Service

Our 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.

Visit our Careers Service website

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

You will have access to extensive cultural resources available on campus and in the city:

• the Centre for Heritage: a Newcastle University Centre for Research Excellence
• the Great North Museum: Hancock, located on campus. It houses outstanding collections related to Hadrian’s Wall (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the internationally renowned Shefton collection of over 1,000 Greek and Etruscan artefacts, the World Cultures gallery and natural history collections of unique regional and national importance.
• the Hatton Gallery, located on campus, has been at the heart of cultural life in the North East since the early 20th century
• the UNESCO-recognised Gertrude Bell Archive, included in the International Memory of the World Register
• the Special Collection & Archives
• North East Museums venues

You'll also have access to our top-quality facilities:

• our libraries and eResources
• 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
• our world-class gym and sport facilities
• a very active Student Union

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

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.

Funding deadlines

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

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INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. You can choose from:

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application 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 application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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