Museum Studies

University of Aberdeen

United Kingdom, Aberdeen

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236

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Home/United Kingdom/Aberdeen /University of Aberdeen/Museum Studies

University of Aberdeen

United Kingdom , Aberdeen

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Research

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Aberdeen

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 12 month(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 23,800 / year

Museum Studies

About

Introduction

The one-year Museum Studies master's programme draws on the University’s extensive museum collections to enable you to explore critical approaches to museum theory while also studying the application of museum practice and research at first hand.

This course has both January and September start dates. Apply Now

Explore the latest digital exhibition curated by MLitt Museum Studies Students: "Toxic Relationships: The Dose Makes the Poison"

Did you know? Aberdeen is ranked 3rd in the UK for Anthropology and Archaeology* and 1st in Scotland for Overall Satisfaction in Anthropology** (*Guardian University Guide 2025, **National Student Survey 2024)

Study Information

Study Options

The University of Aberdeen’s museum collections are among the oldest, largest and most significant in the country, having the status of a Recognised Collection of National Significance. Aberdeen is one of the very few UK universities to have international-quality collections relating to the natural and cultural worlds.

The Museum Studies programme makes significant use of these collections to enable you to study the historical and contemporary roles of museums in society and develop skills in public engagement with research while gaining practical experience of museum work.

You will gain foundational curatorial skills and an appreciation of contemporary issues museums face. With a range of optional courses available to supplement our core courses, you can customise your degree to specific areas of interest via our options in education, digital skills, and understanding decolonisation in the context of the museum sector. Optional programmes include Museums and the Digital World, which involves designing a digital intervention for the University Collections, and Decolonising Museums, which tackles one of the most pressing issues facing the sector today.

Alongside developing an understanding of museum theory, you will hone the practical skills utilised in the heritage sector including curation practice, grant application writing, and interpreting academic and specialist knowledge for the wider public.

During the summer you can choose to take ‘Curating an Exhibition’ where you will work with museum staff to design an online exhibition using the University’s collections. You may prefer to research a topic in depth through writing a Museum Studies dissertation, a route recommended for those aiming to continue to the PhD in Museum Studies. There are many opportunities to work directly with the collections if this route appeals. Finally, the Museum Studies Placement allows students to put their skills into practice by carrying out a project with a partner museum.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.

Applicants for admission will normally be expected to hold a relevant Honours degree with a 2:1 standard from a recognised university or body in a relevant discipline, such as, but not limited to, anthropology, history, art history, media studies, cultural studies, digital heritage, archaeology, geography, environmental sciences, biology, ecology or science communication.

Applicants without this qualification may be admitted subject to having an alternative qualification, or an approved level of work experience appropriate to the field of study. Also taken into careful consideration is the trajectory of results, an applicant without an overall 2.1 but with 2.1 results in their final two years of study may be admitted.

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English Program Requirements

English Language Requirements

To study for a Postgraduate Taught degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:

IELTS Academic:

OVERALL - 6.5 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0

TOEFL iBT:

OVERALL - 90 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21

PTE Academic:

OVERALL - 62 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59

Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:

OVERALL - 176 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 169; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169

Career

Careers

This degree provides suitable preparation for working in museums, galleries and heritage institutions, for those who wish to conduct further research in Museum Studies, and for an academic role in a variety of associated fields. It is also a valuable degree for those who are interested in developing ways of communicating academic work to the public.

The programme is geared towards both vocational study for work in the sector, and those wishing to pursue an academic career. It offers students the opportunity to engage in a number of transferable skills, such as project management, teamwork and research which are required across a broad range of roles and sectors.

Graduates of this programme have gone on to work at institutions including the British Museum, the Royal Collection Trust, the National Trust, Juneau Douglas City Museum, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Career prospects include work in collections management, curation, exhibition development, programme management, museum research, and more.