Museum Studies MA

Newcastle University

Our Museum Studies MA, PGDip will develop the practical skills needed to operate a museum, whilst engaging you with theories on the societal role of museums. You gain a competitive edge by curating group exhibitions or organising and delivering complex education and learning events within high-profile public venues.

The Museum Studies course covers a broad range of issues encountered in museum work. We will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to move into or enhance a career in museums.

Our course is well established internationally – we have been educating museum professionals since 1993. We encourage a hands-on approach, involving major input from museum professionals regionally, nationally and internationally. These professionals range from small, independent museums to those who curate national collections and internationally significant exhibitions.

Our courses are based in the School of Arts and Cultures. They are also affiliated with the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS), a leading academic centre for research and teaching in museum, gallery, and heritage studies. ICCHS has a thriving, high-profile interdisciplinary research community made up of postgraduate research students and experienced academic researchers who are key figures in their fields.

Staff:

The programme leader is Andrew Newman. Andrew will work closely with you throughout your studies. Other personal tutors and supervisors of Museum Studies MA dissertations include: •Dr Susannah Eckersley •Dr Areti Galani •Dr Rhiannon Mason •Andrew Newman.

Delivery:

The course covers all aspects of museum work. We use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to help you achieve your learning objectives. This includes a large proportion of guided independent study. Scheduled contact time is at our Newcastle city centre campus and includes: •lectures •seminars and practical sessions •workshops

The academic year usually starts in late September with Welcome Week. We provide a unique blend of theoretical knowledge, understanding and practical experience. This means you will have a mixture of taught modules and work-based placements.

You will take five compulsory modules, with a further choice of two possible pathways. More information about these pathways is on the module tab.

Part time study consists of the same modules and options as the full time course, but spread over a longer period.

Placement:

Work placements or work related-projects are usually off campus. You will have the opportunity to complete a placement in a suitable gallery, museum, or heritage site. This could be either 12 days long or 6 weeks long, depending on which pathway you chose in Semester 2.

Facilities:

You will have access to our top quality facilities with Media, Culture, Heritage and across the University: •our libraries and eResources •The Great North Museum: Hancock, located on campus, houses the collections that previously made up the Hancock Museum, the Shefton Museum of Greek Art and Archaeology (an internationally-renowned collection of over 1,000 Greek and Etruscan artefacts), and the Museum of Antiquities •The Hatton Gallery, located on campus, has been at the heart of cultural life in the North East since the early 20th century •The Language Resource Centre is a specialist language facility providing free access to self-study materials in 50 languages •Computing facilities with access to relevant databases and over 1,400 fully networked PCs •The Gertrude Bell Archive •Non-campus facilities that are often used for student projects include Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums and the Victoria Tunnel.

In addition to our expertise in heritage studies, the city of Newcastle and the wider region offers a wonderful resource with two World Heritage Sites, many heritage sites and over 80 regional museums and galleries. Much of the region's countryside is designated as National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.