MA/MFA Curating

• We are looking for highly motivated, creative students with some prior experience in curating or a related area. Usually applicants will have an honours degree in the arts or humanities but those with other academic qualifications or relevant professional experience are also encouraged to apply. Work experience in the arts/museums/galleries sectors is desirable but not essential.
• We will draw up a shortlist from the applications and those applicants on the shortlist will be invited to interview.
• International students who do not meet the academic or English language requirements to study this course can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.

The full masters course comprises 180 credits divided into three 60 credits stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Masters. Students work incrementally through the three stages and must pass all modules at each stage in order to progress to the next.

The course is made up of five modules taught over three semesters (January - December):

Curatorial Histories

You will research the history of your mentored institution and demonstrate a critical understanding of that institution and its historical and contemporary significance within the wider cultural environment. You will familiarise yourself with the contemporary curatorial scene, enabling you to make sense of the structures and practices that underpin it.

Developing Practice and Audiences

You will put theoretical understanding of audiences and market into practice through a group project. This project requires you to map historical contexts and contemporary curatorial practices, both generally and in relation to the institutions and audiences with which you are working.

Professional Practice: Curating

This module provides an opportunity for you to explore your practice either within, or alongside, a professional placement/project. Grounded in work-based learning, there are opportunities to tailor the module to your particular abilities and interests. You will put forward a proposal for a professional practice project, with a view that it may complement your preparation for the final project module.

Curating and Project Management

The emphasis is on situating your project firmly within the contemporary curatorial scene, and in relation to cultural, policy issues and comparable practices happening simultaneously. You will be encouraged to use a wide range of methods to identify and document contemporary developments. Methods include interviewing, participant observation, visiting similar events, and communicating with others involved in similar cultural developments in the UK and internationally.

Final Project: Curating (MA) or Final Project: Curating (MFA)

You will work on either your Final Project: Curating (MA) or Final Project: Curating (MFA). For the MA, there will be a curatorial project (60%) and an evaluative document (40%) and for the MFA the project will account for 40% of the mark and the other 60% will be for a dissertation.