Museum Studies MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, short course, by distance learning

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.

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 materials and reading lists. 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 within a 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. 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 further explore and contextualise socially engaged practice through specific lenses. 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. In recognition of the diverse employment needs of the culture sector, we recognise and credit a range of prior qualifications and experiences. You should be able to demonst