MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies

The University of Manchester

United Kingdom, Manchester

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Home/United Kingdom/Manchester /The University of Manchester/MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies

The University of Manchester

United Kingdom , Manchester

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 29,900 / year

Next Intake January-2026

MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies

About

Explore emerging critical approaches and shifts in museum practice and theory.
Undertake a work placement in a museum, gallery or related cultural organisation in or around Manchester.
Develop a career in the museum sector.

Our MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies course is ideal if you are considering a career in this sector and want to gain practical experience through placements during your studies, or if you are a professional and want to further develop your practice.

The course will see you examine diverse issues related to museum theory and practice, visit numerous museums, galleries and cultural organisations, and discuss ideas and issues with professionals and academics in the field.

You will take advantage of our excellent links to cultural organisations to access a range of exciting and valuable work placements.

Past placements have been at the Manchester Museum, The Whitworth, Tate Liverpool, Manchester Art Gallery, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester International Festival, The Royal Exchange Theatre and Chorlton Arts Festival, to name a few.

You'll also have opportunities to design and participate in live projects with cultural and heritage organisations in Manchester.

In addition, we take fieldtrips to cultural organisations in Manchester, the wider north-west of England and beyond. Regular trips include Liverpool, London, Oxford and Leeds.

We also run an international trip to Amsterdam or Berlin.

The course is continually being reviewed and developed in response to new research, emerging critical approaches and shifts in museum practice.

Disciplines

Master of Arts (MA)

Requirements

Entry Requirements

We normally expect students to have a First or Upper Second class honours degree or its overseas equivalent in a humanities-based subject area.

Full entry requirements

English Program Requirements

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries that equate to a UK 2.1. For these and general requirements including English language see entry requirements from your country .

If English is not your first language, please provide us with evidence of:

an overall grade 7.0 (with a minimum writing score of 7) in IELTS; or
100+ in the IBT Internet-based TOEFL).

The other language tests we accept can be found here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf

Exceptions to needing a language test (if English is NOT your first language) are:

if you have successfully completed an academic qualification deemed by UK NARIC as equivalent to at least a UK Bachelors Degree or higher from one of the following countries:
Antigua & Barbuda; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; New Zealand; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; UK; USA.

Career

Career opportunities

This programme definitely helped me acquire the necessary skills to build a career in the cultural sector.

The course was designed in a way that we not only got to learn the theories and developments surrounding this sector, but also practically put these to use while getting to curate an exhibition by ourselves and work with one of the best museums in the UK. These skills helped me secure a job as a Gallery Attendant at the National Galleries of Scotland.
Anangsha Bakshi / MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies Graduate

This course offers an important entry-level qualification for anyone seeking to pursue a career in museums or galleries.

It is also a valuable resource for continuing professional development for mid-career professionals.

In addition, the MA provides a thorough training in the skills needed to do further postgraduate research.

These skills in research design and planning are transferable to jobs in the museum sector, as well as being a vital first step to PhD research.

Job destinations vary according to the interests, ambitions and skills of each individual, but most of our students are successful in obtaining professional posts in collections, exhibitions, education, interpretation, or some aspect of museum/arts management soon after completing the MA.

You will benefit from lots of CV building opportunities on the course, and your supervisor provides you with personal and career development support.

You'll also have access to the award-winning Careers Service of the University, which provides support and advice in career development.

Learn more on the Careers and employability page, and read profiles of our alumni to find out what they went on to do after completing the course.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .