Museum Studies MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning, 18 months-2 years
This is for you if... you want the flexibility of studying by distance learning whilst gaining the knowledge and skills you need to develop your career in the museum and galleries profession.
Course information
UK fee £10,500
International fee £17,500
Taught by Museum Studies
Distance Learning Team
+44 (0)116 252 2903
dladmissions@le.ac.uk
Programme Director
Dr Nuala Morse
nuala.morse@leicester.ac.uk
Course description
Course description
This degree 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 course will equip you with a thorough knowledge and critical understanding of current principles, practice, and contemporary debates in Museum Studies.
Over the course 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
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. You can attain a Postgraduate Certificate by undertaking just the four core modules. It is also possible to take one module, 'The Museum and Change', as a short course.
If you are taking the MA or MSc, 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, or perhaps even producing a film. We look forward to working with you on the possibilities.
The course is delivered in a variety of ways, including online lectures, live seminars, online discussion activities and course readers, which are posted to you. There is also a week-long optional Summer School every year, featuring a programme of live, online events or face-to-face teaching and group activities.
By taking the distance learning course, you have the flexibility to fit studying around your existing work and family commitments. The distance learning course offers the same subject coverage and leads to the same qualification as our campus-based course. Museum Studies at Leicester works with a team of highly skilled Associate Tutors, all of whom are experienced museum and heritage professionals who will support you throughout your studies.
What's the difference?
If your dissertation concerns a science collection or museum, or if the nature of your investigation is 'scientific', you can receive a Master of Science (MSc) degree instead of a Master of Arts (MA) degree.
This is a very flexible programme with a range of qualifications on offer, from a Postgraduate Certificate (four core modules), and a Postgraduate Diploma (four core modules and four optional modules), to a full MA or MSc (all core modules, four options plus a dissertation).
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.
Reference
You will need to supply a reference as part of your application. An academic reference is preferred but this can also be a work-based reference. You will be able to upload this as part of the application process.
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
This is the total course fee. Your fee will be determined by where you will be living during your studies.
Starting in April 2023
- MA/MSc: £10,500
- PGDip: £9,450
- PGCert: £5,250
- Short course: £1,315
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
This is the total course fee. Your fee will be determined by where you will be living during your studies.
Starting in April 2023
- MA/MSc: £17,500
- PGDip: £15,750
- PGCert: £8,750
- Short course: £2,190
Find out more about how to pay and scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Our graduates are employed in some of the largest and most prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, in addition to some smaller specialist and local institutions. They include:
- Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
- British Natural History Museum
- Chatsworth House
- Christies
- Greek Ministry of Culture
- Greenwich Maritime Museum
- Imperial War Museum
- National Galleries of Scotland
- National Museum Ireland
- National Trust
- Rollo Contemporary Art Gallery
- Royal Armouries
- Science Museum
- Guggenheim Museum
- The British Museum
- Victoria & Albert Museum
- York Castle Museum
Our Career Development Service is here to support you – by email, phone or skype – with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience and more. From registration to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Course structure
MA/MSc
MA/MSc
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
Plus your Research project
If your Research project concerns a science collection or museum, or if the nature of your investigation is 'scientific', you can receive a Master of Science (MSc) degree instead of a Master of Arts (MA) degree.
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?
At Leicester we have more than 20 years' experience of offering high-quality distance learning courses. More than 36,000 students have successfully graduated with a University of Leicester qualification studied through distance learning.
This course is based on leading museum studies research and practice. It has been designed by experts in the field, who have been involved in expanding the academic discipline of museum studies over many years.
You can take advantage of our network of 20 associate tutors who are all museum professionals working in the sector.
FAQs
How is the distance learning course delivered?
This course offers carefully designed teaching material and reading which offer flexibility and allow you to fit your study around other commitments. These materials are delivered through online resources in the University’s virtual learning environment, Blackboard. This includes recorded lectures, international case studies of museum practice, guided readings, group discussions and self-led activities to support your learning. You will also be supported by a module tutor and a personal tutor throughout your studies, through email, phone or video chats.
Our flexible learning course has been designed with different learning styles and access requirements in mind. The flexibility in accessing the material through different formats anticipates a diverse student body and offers choice in how you are taught and assessed.
How long is each module?
The modules runs consecutively, over 8 weeks, with 6 weeks of taught materials and 2 weeks to prepare and submit your assignment. There is a short break between modules.
For further information about modules choices, see the course structure section above.
Will I need to attend regular, live online sessions?
No. The course is designed to be flexible, so you can choose when to study. There is one live seminar in each of the core modules, and these are recorded if you can’t attend.
How many hours will I study each week?
For each week of study, there is 8 hours of taught materials. Additionally, you are expected to undertake up to 10 hours of independent study per week.
This is equivalent to a part-time course.
Are there any study visits?
Throughout your course you will be encouraged to undertake guided study visits in your own local area. There are also virtual study visits within the teaching material.
During the summer, you are also invited to our exciting, optional, non-assessed Summer School week, offering face-to-face teaching, discussions, group activities and study visits.
How do assessments work?
You will have one assignment per module (2,500 word essay or equivalent). We aim for a range of assignment types, including essays, project work, reports, exhibition proposals and consultancy briefs, to ensure you get a range of skills required for museum careers.
What's the difference between an MA and MSc?
If your dissertation concerns a science collection or museum, or if the nature of your investigation is 'scientific', you can receive a Master of Science (MSc) degree instead of a Master of Arts (MA) degree.
Teaching and learning
You will be supported by a dedicated team of academic and personal tutors as well as support staff. You will be allocated a personal tutor who can advise you on a range of issues and support you. In addition, for each module you will be allocated a module tutor who is a specialist in that particular field. Your module tutor will support you with academic enquiries relating to that module as well as feeding back to you on essay plans, marking your assignments and providing you with detailed feedback.
Our flexible learning course has been designed with different learning styles and access requirements in mind. The flexibility in accessing the material through different formats anticipates a diverse student body and offers choice in how you are taught and assessed.
Time is built into the structure of the course for the completion of assignments, and wider reading on areas of particular interest to the student, and self-directed study visits and tutorials, which are commented on by tutors are prompted at various points.
During the summer, you are invited to join the optional non-assessed Summer School week, offering a programme of live, online or face-to-face teaching, discussions, group activities and virtual study visits.
If you are completing a dissertation you will receive four supervisions with your allocated tutor, with support offered between supervisions as and when needed.
There are one or two pieces of assessed coursework for each of the core modules. Together, these form a carefully designed, broad range of assignments including essays, project work, reports, briefs and evaluations as well as practical exercises. Your module tutor will provide you with detailed feedback on each assignment you submit.
Former student Samantha Taylor talks about Distance Learning with Museum Studies at Leicester.
Key dates
Start date: 3 April 2023
Application deadline for April 2023 start: 13 March 2023
Start date: 2 October 2023
Application deadline for October 2023 start: 18 September 2023
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 Apply Now |
| Course Museum Studies | Qualification MSc | Duration 2 years by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Museum Studies | Qualification PGDip | Duration 18 months by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course Museum Studies | Qualification PGCert | Duration 8 months by distance learning | Start Dates April and October each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course The Museum and Change | Qualification Short course - one module | Duration 2 months | Start Dates | Availability Apply Now |
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.