Museum Studies MA/ MSc/ PGDip/ PGCert, by Distance Learning

These programmes will provide you with the practical and theoretical experience needed to become a creative and effective museum and gallery professional or to further advance your career in the sector. You will be taught by experts in the field, who have been involved in expanding the academic discipline of museum studies over many years. The courses will equip you with a thorough knowledge and critical understanding of current principles, practice, and contemporary debates in Museum Studies.
Over the courses you will explore areas such as:

• The social role of museums and art galleries
• Activist practice in museums and galleries
• Collections care and management
• Exhibitions strategies
• Museum design
• Museum ethics and interpretation

The courses are delivered in a variety of ways, including online lectures, live seminars, online discussion activities and course readers, which are posted to you. You have the flexibility to fit studying around your existing work and family commitments. The distance learning courses offer the same subject coverage and lead to the same qualification as campus-based courses. 

Postgraduate Certificate in Museum Studies

To complete the Postgraduate Certificate, you will take just the four core modules, giving you the opportunity to start and gradually build up to a qualification in the museum field. The subjects include the museum and change, designing for creative lives,  objects and collections, and engaging audiences.

Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies

To complete the Postgraduate Diploma, you will take four core modules, followed by four option modules, giving you the opportunity to delve into your particular interests and to develop your expertise in the field of your choice. The subjects include museum learning, heritage, digital in museums, museums and contemporary issues, and museums and the natural environment, as well as a practice option which is focused on a workplace-based project. 

Master of Arts in Museum Studies

If you are taking the Master of Arts, you will also complete a research project on the topic of your choice. For many, it is the most exciting part of the course, as a self-directed opportunity to contribute new ideas, new knowledge, or critique existing scholarship or practice at an advanced academic level. You might choose to write this up as a dissertation, but you could also consider writing a paper, a professional report on a museum related topic.

Master of Science in Museum Studies

If you are taking the Master of Science, you will also complete a research project on the topic of your choice. For many, it is the most exciting part of the course, as a self-directed opportunity to contribute new ideas, new knowledge, or critique existing scholarship or practice at an advanced academic level. You might choose to write this up as a dissertation, but you could also consider writing a paper, a professional report on science in museums, science museums and collections or utilize a scientific methodology for the investigation of museums.