Museum Practice and Management PgDip/MA

Program Overview

This online Master's program in Museum Studies from Ulster University provides a comprehensive understanding of museum operations, management, and communication. Through modules covering museum policies, collections care, and educational practices, students gain practical knowledge and research skills essential for careers in the museum and heritage sectors. The program features expert faculty, virtual learning, and opportunities for research and industry engagement.

Program Outline

Outline:

Year 1:

• Museums and Culture: This module examines museum policies and values, delving into the influences on museum operations and the evolution of such values.
• Management and Strategy for the Museum: This module focuses on effective management and strategic thinking within museums, integrating relevant theories with practical applications in organizational management.

Year 2:

• Communication and Learning in the Museum: This module explores the role of museums as educators and facilitators of learning and communication.
It analyzes exhibitions as tools for influencing society and fostering learning, with a focus on developing effective communication and educational policies in museums.
• Collections Care and Management: This module provides an overview of current practices in museum collections care and management, covering planning, accreditation, managing acquisitions and disposals, and practical elements like preventive conservation, collection environment control, and object handling.

Year 3:

• MA Research Project: This module offers students the opportunity to conduct supervised research in their chosen area of museum studies, guided by their tutors.

Assessment:

• Each module typically consists of two assignments: one submitted during the module and one due two weeks after completion.
• The final award depends on the achieved grades in the modules.
A postgraduate diploma requires achieving the pass mark in all four modules of year 1 and 2. To obtain a master's degree, one must achieve the pass mark in all modules across years 1, 2, and 3, including the research project.

Teaching:

• The program is entirely online, offering access to lectures, readings, and discussion topics via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
• Opportunities to meet virtually with peers and tutors are available through Teams meetings.
• Additionally, resources specific to the course will be made accessible online.
• The program also incorporates an annual calendar of museum events in Ireland geared towards museum professionals and students.
• The teaching faculty comprises lecturers from Ulster University and senior personnel within the museum field.
The staff contributes to museum and heritage studies or the arts, publishing in renowned journals and contributing to influential books in the field. The lecturers often hold positions of high esteem within the museum or heritage sector, with the course director currently serving as the chairperson of the Northern Ireland Museums Council.

Careers:

• The majority of graduates pursue careers within the museum or heritage sectors.
Many seek to solidify their existing knowledge or acquire the necessary skills and understanding to enter these fields. The program offers invaluable learning through discussions with peers and expert tutors.

Other:

• Students have an opportunity to conduct supervised research in their chosen area of museum studies and have the option to complete a placement or study abroad.

Fees Credit Points NI/ROI/GB Cost International Cost Credit Points 5 NI/ROI/GB Cost £194.45 International Cost £474.70 Credit Points 10 NI/ROI/GB Cost £388.90 International Cost £949.40 Credit Points 15 NI/ROI/GB Cost £583.35 International Cost £1,424.10 Credit Points 20 NI/ROI/GB Cost £777.80 International Cost £1,898.80 Credit Points 30 NI/ROI/GB Cost £1,166.70 International Cost £2,848.20 Credit Points 60 NI/ROI/GB Cost £2,333.40 International Cost £5,696.40 Credit Points 120 NI/ROI/GB Cost £4,666.80 International Cost £11,392.80 Credit Points 180 NI/ROI/GB Cost £7000.20 International Cost £17,089.20NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year. More information can be found in the Visas and Immigration section. Where the postgraduate course selected offers multiple awards (e.g. PG Cert, PG Dip, Masters), please note that the price displayed is for the complete Masters programme. Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are charged at a pro-rata basis.