Curatorial Studies PgCert | PgDip | MA |

Program Overview

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Our MA programme provides a series of connected learning experiences, which are delivered through four modules. The Curatorial Studies pathway within the Programme enables you to develop the skills, critical understanding and specialist knowledge required to follow a rewarding career as an independent curator or to work within a related creative sector.

This pathway provides a tailored learning environment that encourages and supports your creative development, independence in creativity, imagination and ideas. You will gain an understanding of new interdisciplinary practices, conceptual skills and of the debates informing Curatorial Art & Design practices. The course is suitable if you have an undergraduate honours degree in Fine Art or Design, or if you want to develop your career and specialist academic knowledge in this discipline based on prior professional experience.

Program Outline

The programme provides a series of connected learning experiences (3+1 modules), which critically challenge you to develop and reflect on your specialist disciplinary practice.

Applied Practice

You will be supported in identifying and acquiring the most appropriate research and practice based strategies for the development of your curatorial creative practice.

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Critical Contextual Studies and Research Methods

You will be introduced to a key set of research methods and thematic issues integral to the programme. These are delivered through a set of discursive lectures and seminars, resulting in a reflect essay exploring your contextual, societal or theoretical outlook related to Curatorial Studies.

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Personal Development and Professional Networks

You will reflect, evidence, evaluate and present your work across a range of outputs; exhibition, online journal and collaborative networks.

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Master's Project

The culmination of the 3 previous modules provides a critical platform for a self-directed major piece of practice-based research. You will also be required to produce an extended piece of analytical and critical writing in support of your practice-based work.

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Modules

Modules and delivery order may change for operational purposes. The University regularly reviews its courses. Course content and structure may change over time. See our

course and module disclaimer

for more information.

Detailed module information

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Activity Summary

You will work in a tailored, dynamic, creative environment which encourages independent thinking and original ideas.

The main teaching strategies for this practice-based course are delivered through structured seminars and critiques, workshops and individual one-to-one tutorial support. Although a practice-based programme, the MA places great emphasis on contemporary critical and visual cultural debates and appropriate research practices. You will work as an individual but also will take part in group activities, presentations and discussions.

You will have opportunities to engage and learn from invited artists, designers, experienced researchers and speakers from industry through our Guest@Gray’s lecture programme.

Lectures

- 12 hours per term

Seminars

- 12 hours per term

Tutorial

- 6 hours per term

Project Supervision

- 6 hours per term

Demonstration

- 3 hours per term

Practical class or workshop

- 3 hours per term

Supervised time in studio / workshop

- 60 hours per term

Independent Study

-  270  hours per term

External Visits

- 3 hours per term

Placement / Work Based Learning

- 1 per term

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How long is a Curatorial Studies course?

The total learning effort upon completion of this course is:

1 year (full time)

2 years (part time)

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Independent Study

The pathway emphasises directed independent learning, negotiated independent project work and individually focused research. You will be challenged to develop your own work and ideas with the support and advice of staff and/or external partners, within a supportive learning environment of cooperative critical debate.

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Assessment

Typically students are assessed:

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Full time

1 written assignment, including essays

1 dissertation

1 portfolio

1 project output

1 oral assessment

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Part-time

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Year 1

1 written assignment, including essays

1 project output

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Year 2

1 dissertation

1 portfolio

1 project output

1 oral assessment

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Staff Delivering on This Course

The MA Programmes teaching staff are made up of a team of recognised artists, designers, critical theorists and curators from within Gray’s School of Art, together with guest lecturers drawn from a network of professional and cultural partnerships.

The pathway is delivered by an experienced team of recognised artists, critical theorists and curators who encourage and support a diversity of approaches within your specialist practice and its expanded field. You will be assigned a specialist tutor based on your disciplinary needs.

The programme also benefits from close collaborative links with a number of arts and cultural organisations together with a varied and weekly Guest@Gray’s lecture programme.

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Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

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Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

The Inclusion Centre

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Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

CampusMoodle

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Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

Academic writing

Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)

Maths and statistics

English language

Information technology support

Study Skills Support

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Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

University Library

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Placements

The pathway has been designed to specifically enable you to study and practice in context and offers you the opportunity to undertake collaborations with cultural partners such as Grampian Hospital Arts Trust, Peacock Visual Arts and Deveron Projects, or gain professional experiences by working with Creative Learning Team ACC. You will be able to carry out your placement as part of the Applied Practice module or your master's Project.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR PLACEMENTS

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Study Abroad

There is a possibility of an overseas exchange as an alternative to the placement opportunity.

STUDY ABROAD

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Job Prospects

The MA Programme is designed to support you in further developing your subject-specific disciplinary expertise and skill sets to pursue a career in the creative and cultural sectors.

On completion of the Curatorial Studies pathway, you will have the experience to pursue a career as a professional Curator or work within a related role in the creative industries.

Previous graduates have gone on to exhibit regularly, work within the cultural sector as curators or have made significant career changes and/or progression within respective Further Education and Higher Education teaching sectors.

If you wish to pursue opportunities for further study towards a higher degree, Gray’s School of Art offers art and design research degrees both full-time and part-time at MPhil, MRes and PhD level.

CAREERS