Museum Cultures with Collections Management

Program Overview

The Museum Cultures with Collections Management MA program at Birkbeck, University of London, combines theoretical study of museum history and significance with practical experience in collections management. Students develop a deep understanding of museum cultures and acquire foundational skills in collections management through coursework, museum visits, and a supervised work placement. The program offers optional pathways, including Museum Cultures with Curating, and prepares graduates for careers in the heritage and museum sector, arts and media, and education.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Museum Cultures with Collections Management (MA):

• Overview:
This MA program combines the study of museum history and cultural significance with hands-on museum experience. Students gain a solid understanding of collections management principles, engaging with experts and participating in practical activities like documentation and cataloguing.
• Objectives:
• Develop a deep understanding of museum cultures, history, and their role in shaping societies.
• Acquire foundational skills and knowledge in collections management.
• Gain practical experience through a supervised work placement in a museum, gallery, or archive.
• Program Description:
The program features a week-long intensive course on current issues and practices, museum visits, and an exciting study trip abroad every spring. Students can specialize in different pathways depending on their interests and career goals, such as Museum Cultures with Curating.

Outline:

Program content and structure:

• Duration:
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time.
• Attendance:
Two to three evenings a week, plus one week of daytime classes (full-time); One to two evenings a week, plus one week of daytime classes (part-time).
• Location:
Central London.
• Modules:
• Compulsory:
Collections Management (30 credits), Museum Cultures - Approaches, Issues, Skills (30 credits).
• Optional (select one):
• Art Museums in a Global Age
• Creating a Public.
Museums and their audiences
• Curating Difficult Histories: Museums, Exhibitions, Art Activism
• Exhibiting the Body
• Museum Cultures Work Placement
• Slavery and its Cultural Legacies
• Research project (30 credits).

• Dissertation (60 credits).

• Optional pathways:
Museum Cultures with Curating.

Assessment:

Assessment methods and criteria:

• Coursework (essays, project, presentations).
• Dissertation.

Teaching:

Teaching methods and faculty:

• Lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops.
• Visits to museums, archives, and libraries.
• Optional field trip with additional costs (travel, accommodation, etc.).
• Key faculty: Dr Suzannah Biernoff, Dr Esther Breithoff, Dr Dorigen Caldwell, Professor Fiona Candlin, Professor Patrizia Di Bello, Professor Steve Edwards, Dr Mara Polgovsky Ezcurra, Professor Julia Laite, Dr Robert Maniura, Professor Luciana Martins, Dr Zoë Opačić, Professor Kate Retford, Dr Sarah Thomas, Professor Leslie Topp.

Careers:

Career opportunities and outcomes:

• Heritage and museum sector
• Arts and media
• Education
• The program is fully approved and delivered by the University of London.
• Students can receive various bursaries, scholarships (including Global Future Scholarship for international students), and financial support.
• Study and learning support is provided for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Disability and Dyslexia Service, Counselling Service, and Mental Health Advisory Service are available for support.

Disclaimer:

This response is based on the assumption that "full-time" and "part-time" refer to two separate programs with the same content and structure, differing only in their attendance schedule and credits awarded.

• Part-time home students: £5,400 per year
• Full-time home students: £10,800 per year
• Part-time international students: £9,915 per year
• Full-time international students: £19,830 per year