Museum Studies (Hong Kong) MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning
18 months-2 years
This is for you if... you are based in or near to Hong Kong and want to gain the knowledge and skills to develop your career in museums, heritage, and cultural sector or prepare for a research degree.
Please address all enquiries to HKU SPACE
Course description
Course description
Grounded in museum practice and informed by world-leading teaching and research, Museum Studies by Distance Learning provides a grounding in theoretical, methodological, and professional themes at the forefront of contemporary Museum Studies and will equip you with the skills and confidence to apply this knowledge within professional contexts.
You will gain insight into how museums and heritage organisations work, and the economic, political, social, and cultural purposes that they serve. You will also learn how to communicate with publics and stakeholders; set up exhibitions and programmes, and care for objects and collections.
What to expect
The programme follows the same curriculum as our standard Museum Studies by distance learning but is delivered in partnership with Hong Kong University and designed for those based in or near Hong Kong. You will learn from School of Museum Studies academics and visiting experts via our virtual learning environment, where recorded online lectures, live seminars and short activities are supported by access to study notes and reading lists. You will also be supported throughout the course by a Leicester-based tutor and benefit from a Hong Kong sited Study Week led by School of Museum Studies academics (the Study Week is subject to a minimum number of students).
Virtual study visits and external speakers will allow you to understand how course topics are implemented within real-life contexts and provide opportunities for critical thinking beyond reading materials. You will be offered specialist options - including Heritage, the Digital world and a Practice module that involves working on a project devised by a host museum, gallery or cultural institution. If you are completing an MA or MSc degree, you will also undertake a supervised research project on a topic of your choice.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
In recognition of the diverse employment needs of the culture sector, we recognise and credit a range of prior qualifications and experiences.
- Either a first class or second class degree, which can be in any subject area
- Or be able to demonstrate equivalent skills and aptitudes through the possession of a professional or vocational qualification and/or the accrual of relevant work experiences. Relevant experience can come from a wide spectrum of work or voluntary environments but clear evidence of this experience must be provided
You should be able to demonstrate a commitment to, or strong interest in, museums, galleries, or other kinds of heritage or cultural organisation.
If you do not have a degree, you will be asked complete an assessment, such as an essay, so as to demonstrate your readiness for postgraduate study. Clear guidance will be provided on assessment criteria. You may also be required to attend an interview.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in April 2025
Tuition fees for 2024/25 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2023/24 were:
- MA/MSc: £10,900
- PGDip: £9,810
- PGCert: £5,450
- Short course: £1,365
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible. (MA/MSc only; not available for PGDip.)
International Students
Starting in April 2025
Tuition fees for 2024/25 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2023/24 were:
- MA/MSc: £18,200
- PGDip: £16,380
- PGCert: £9,100
- Short course: £2,275
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Collaborative working with museums and arts, cultural and heritage organisations is critical to the development and delivery of our courses, and your professional development is central to the curriculum.
Our graduates have gone on to occupy a range of roles in leading institutions including the Hong Kong Museum of History and M+ West Kowloon Cultural District; National Galleries of Scotland, British Museum and Natural History Museum; Chatsworth House and the National Trust, the Guggenheim and National Museum Ireland.
Those contributing to our Alumni Centenary Census (2022) stated that they had also gained key transferable skills including networking, presentation, communication and critical thinking.
Related courses
Course structure
MA/MSc
MA/MSc
For the MA, MSc or PG Diploma, you will study four core modules and choose an additional four optional modules. If completing the MA or MSc, you will also undertake a research project of your choice, under the guidance of an appointed supervisor.Core modules
- The Museum and Change
- Designing for Creative Lives
- Objects and Collections: Care, Management and Curation
- Engaging Audiences
Option modules
Choose four option modules from:
- Lifelong Learning
- Museums and the Natural Environment
- Heritage
- Digital
- Museums and Contemporary Issues
- Practice
Research Project {MA/MSc only)
Your final research project can be submitted as an academic research paper or a sector-facing report or proposal (8000 words in each case).
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
PGDip
PGDip
Core modules
- The Museum and Change
- Designing for Creative Lives
- Objects and Collections: Care, Management and Curation
- Engaging Audiences
Option modules
Choose four option modules from:
- Lifelong Learning
- Museums and the Natural Environment
- Heritage
- Digital
- Museums and Contemporary Issues
- Practice
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
PGCert
PGCert
Modules
- The Museum and Change
- Designing for Creative Lives
- Objects and Collections: Care, Management and Curation
- Engaging Audiences
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Our reputation. Museum Studies is the first and largest academic unit in its field worldwide and continues to be recognised for outstanding research excellence. We have acquired a global reputation for leading-edge thinking and experimental practice in museum studies, and the REF 2021 evaluation found that 100% of our research had real-world impact.
Our Expertise. Our teaching is research-led and informed by real-world practices and challenges. You will learn from internationally recognised experts and visiting speakers via our virtual learning environment, where online pre-recorded lectures and optional live seminars are supported by access to a personal tutor and diverse learning resources.
Your professional development. Collaboration with art institutions, museums and cultural organisations is central to the development and delivery of our postgraduate programmes. All School of Museum Studies graduates can join the Museum Studies Connect network, which brings together a community of professionals working in the arts, museum, and heritage sectors worldwide.
Our flexibility. Designed for students with busy lives, our distance learning programmes allow you to study in your own time and at a pace that suits your other commitments. As well as four core modules, we offer a choice of option modules to suit your specific interests and ambitions.
Teaching and learning
We pride ourselves on innovative teaching techniques and high-quality contact time. Museum Studies by Distance Learning is an interactive programme, and our forms of assessment are designed to be both varied and inclusive. Your personal tutor will provide pastoral care and academic advice throughout.
Our learning materials, including study notes, reading lists and video, sit within a virtual learning environment. While online recorded lectures introduce you to key concepts and case studies, optional live seminars create an opportunity to engage in discussion with your peers and tutors. As well as this, you will also learn through completing short activities and carrying out independent research and reading.
You will also attend our annual study week at the University of Hong Kong, which is an opportunity to meet peers and School of Museum Studies academics and peers in person. Please note that the Hong Kong Study Week is subject to there being a minimum number of students on the programme. We will also encourage you to make self-led visits to museums and arts, cultural and heritage institutions in your own area, so that you can engage with current practice through the lens of your postgraduate studies.
Key dates
Start date: 7 April 2025
Application deadline for April 2025 start: 17 March 2025
Start date: 6 October 2025
Application deadline for October 2025 start: TBD
Start date: 6 April 2026
Application deadline for April 2026 start: TBD
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Museum Studies | Qualification MA | Duration 2 years by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year |
Availability
We run this course in conjunction with HKU Space. Please contact leicester@hkuspace.hku.hk in order to apply. |
| Course Museum Studies | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year |
Availability
We run this course in conjunction with HKU Space. Please contact leicester@hkuspace.hku.hk in order to apply. |
| Course Museum Studies | Qualification PGDip | Duration 18 months by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year |
Availability
We run this course in conjunction with HKU Space. Please contact leicester@hkuspace.hku.hk in order to apply. |
| Course Museum Studies | Qualification PGCert | Duration 8 months by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year |
Availability
We run this course in conjunction with HKU Space. Please contact leicester@hkuspace.hku.hk in order to apply. |
I’ve benefited greatly from the extensive range of module topics. They’ve filled my knowledge gaps and have enabled me to have a deeper and better understanding, not only of art museums and galleries, but of the whole art ecosystem.