Art Gallery and Museum Studies

Studying the Art Gallery and Museum Studies MA you’ll develop your understanding of key ideas and issues in curatorship, museology and museum management. You'll apply the knowledge you gain to developing innovative approaches to curation, interpretation and engaging audiences, and build the knowledge and skills for a successful career in the museum and art gallery sector.

In this Masters course you’ll have the chance to explore and challenge key ideas that have shaped museum practice. You'll consider the ways in which material culture has been represented and interpreted by historians and cultural theorists, the methodologies behind museum practice and methods of display and interpretation, and put theory and practice into dialogue.

If you’re considering a career in this sector, or if you are currently working as a professional, this Masters course will develop your knowledge, understanding and practical experience, to prepare for your next step.

With access to a wide range of modules allowing you to explore theoretical approaches and their practical applications, you’ll have the opportunity to shape your learning path in the direction you choose.

A cultural hub You'll study in the heart of a cultural hub for this diverse and vibrant region. Leeds is home to a wide variety of world-leading and innovative arts and heritage organisations, from the Royal Armouries, Opera North, Leeds Playhouse and Northern Ballet, to museums, galleries and heritage sites and many contemporary art spaces.

We are also close to everything the rest of Yorkshire has to offer, from The Hepworth Wakefield to the National Science and Media Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the Brontë Parsonage Museum. We have close links with many of these cultural institutions to support your practical learning.

You'll become a member of the Centre for Critical Studies in Museums, Galleries and Heritage and enjoy opportunities from networking events and links to alumni to conferences, seminars and reading groups.

Course tutors include researchers with a background in collections, curatorial, education and engagement work:

Dr Robert Knifton (Programme Director)

Dr Helen Graham

Dr Nick Cass

Professor Abigail Harrison Moore

Dr Mark Westgarth

Dr Kerry Bristol

Dr Claudia Sternberg

Dr Gill Park

Dr Liz Stainforth

Dr Jade French

Specialist facilities Housed within a single central campus location, the School offers a modern and well-equipped learning environment with several studio and exhibition spaces.

Project Space is the School’s multi-purpose space designed for the development of curatorial practice and visiting exhibitions.

The Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections - valuable assets for your independent research.

In addition to the wide range of museums and galleries in the city and beyond, the University campus features:

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery

Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery

Museum of the History of Science, Technology and Medicine

Marks & Spencer Company Archive

International Textile Collection

Public art trail

stage@leeds performance venue