Curating Collections and Heritage MA

Program Overview

The Curating Collections and Heritage MA program at the University of Brighton equips students with the skills and knowledge to pursue careers in the museum and heritage sector. Through a combination of theoretical and practical learning, students gain a deep understanding of contemporary issues, collection care, and heritage management. The program offers flexibility through optional modules and provides opportunities for networking and practical experience through partnerships with local museums and organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This vocational Master's degree, offered in partnership with the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust, Brighton & Hove, equips you with the skills and knowledge to pursue a successful career in the museum and heritage sector. You'll engage with contemporary museums and heritage practices, delve into key areas like collection care and development, policy, digitisation, and critically examine theoretical approaches and methodologies. Through practical learning experiences and engagement with guest speakers and practitioners, you'll gain invaluable hands-on experience and graduate as a well-rounded professional. Additionally, you can opt for business modules and graduate with the title "Curating Collections and Heritage with Management MA." This program provides:

• In-depth knowledge: Gain a solid understanding of contemporary issues and approaches in museums and heritage institutions.
• Practical skills: Develop essential skills in collection care, research, project management, and public engagement.
• Flexibility: Tailor your learning experience by choosing optional modules that align with your specific interests and career goals.

Outline:

The program comprises 3 compulsory modules, research project modules, and a selection of optional modules to personalize your learning experience.

Compulsory modules:

• Museums and Collections in Context: This module explores museums as social and cultural institutions, their role in society, ethical responsibilities, and governance.
• Caring for Collections and their Users: This module focuses on caring for collections, managing them with a user-centered approach, and exploring audience engagement and learning in museums.
• Heritage in a Global Context: This module analyzes what constitutes "heritage" through global case studies, debates its attributed value, and encourages students to develop their own local case studies.
• Research Project: Conduct independent research, write a dissertation based on your interests in curating theory, history, or policy, or present a report addressing specific challenges within the collections and heritage sector.
This project allows you to demonstrate your comprehensive research skills and contribute new knowledge to the field.

Optional modules:

• Critical Perspectives on Exhibitions
• Professional Placements in Collections and Heritage (150 hour)
• Exploring Objects
• Queer and Now
• Globalisation and Global Politics
• History of Fashion and Dress: New Directions
Some include:
• Managing People
• Managing Finance in Different Contexts
• Marketing and Communication
• Leadership with Ethics
• Managing Organisational Behaviour
• International Management and Leadership
• Managing Talent, Performance and Reward
• Entrepreneurship New Business Venturing
• Sustainable Strategic Management
• International Trade and Logistics
• Marketing in an International Context
• Some management modules require previous management experience, while others are available to all students.

Assessment:

Assessment methods for this program may include written assignments, presentations, portfolios, project proposals, critical essays, research essays, literature reviews, group projects, and oral examinations. The specific method will vary depending on the chosen option modules and the assessments associated with them.

Teaching:

The program employs a diverse range of teaching methods, including interactive lectures, seminar discussions, research project supervision, workshops, guest speaker presentations, field trips, individual tutorials, and independent research guidance. The faculty comprises experienced academics specializing in museum and heritage studies, as well as practitioners from leading cultural institutions.

Careers:

This Master's program equips you with the knowledge and skills to pursue diverse career paths within the museum and heritage sector. Potential career options include:

• Curator
• Collections Management Specialist
• Exhibition Developer
• Education Officer
• Heritage Consultant
• Archivist
• Researcher
• Project Manager
• Marketing and Communications Professional
• Policy Advisor
• Development Professional
• Digital Heritage Specialist
Graduates can find employment in museums, galleries, heritage organizations, archives, government bodies, cultural agencies, historical sites, and private collections.

Other:

The University of Brighton has established strong relationships with local museums, organizations, festivals, and events in Brighton to provide students with valuable opportunities for practical application of their learning through internships, placements, and networking events. These partnerships include collaborations with:

• Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust
• Design Archives
• Screen Archive South East
• Cinecity
• Brighton Photo Biennial
• Brighton Festival
• Brighton Festival Fringe
• Brighton Digital Festival
• Fabrica
• Lighthouse
Furthermore, the program has a dedicated studentship available for students of color who wish to pursue this field of study.