Museum Studies MA, MSc, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

This is for you if... you want the flexibility of studying by distance learning whilst gaining the knowledge and skills you need to develop your career in the museum and galleries profession.

This degree will provide you with the practical and theoretical experience needed to become a creative and effective museum and gallery professional or to further advance your career in the sector.

You will be taught by experts in the field, who have been involved in expanding the academic discipline of museum studies over many years. The course will equip you with a thorough knowledge and critical understanding of current principles, practice, and contemporary debates in Museum Studies.

Over the course, you will explore areas such as:

• The social role of Museums and art galleries
• Activist practice in museums and galleries
• Collections care and management
• Exhibitions strategies
• Museum design
• Museum Ethics and Interpretation

To complete the Postgraduate Diploma, you will take four core modules, followed by four option modules, giving you the opportunity to delve into your particular interests and develop your expertise in the field of your choice. The subjects include museum learning, heritage, digital in museums, museums and contemporary issues, and museums and the natural environment, as well as a practice option which is focused on a workplace-based project. You can attain a Postgraduate Certificate by undertaking just the four core modules. It is also possible to take one module, 'The Museum and Change', as a short course.

If you are taking the MA or MSc, you will also complete a research project on the topic of your choice. For many, it is the most exciting part of the course, as a self-directed opportunity to contribute new ideas, and new knowledge, or critique existing scholarship or practice at an advanced academic level. You might choose to write this up as a dissertation, but you could also consider writing a paper, a professional report, or perhaps even producing a film. We look forward to working with you on the possibilities.

The course is delivered in a variety of ways, including online lectures, live seminars, online discussion activities and course readers, which are posted to you. There is also a week-long optional Summer School every year, featuring a programme of live, online events or face-to-face teaching and group activities.

By taking the distance learning course, you have the flexibility to fit studying around your existing work and family commitments. The distance learning course offers the same subject coverage and leads to the same qualification as our campus-based course. Museum Studies at Leicester works with a team of highly skilled Associate Tutors, all of whom are experienced museum and heritage professionals who will support you throughout your studies.

What's the difference?

If your dissertation concerns a science collection or museum, or if the nature of your investigation is 'scientific', you can receive a Master of Science (MSc) degree instead of a Master of Arts (MA) degree.

This is a very flexible programme with a range of qualifications on offer, from a Postgraduate Certificate (four core modules), and a Postgraduate Diploma (four core modules and four optional modules), to a full MA or MSc (all core modules, four options plus a dissertation).

Why Leicester?

• At Leicester, we have more than 20 years experience of in offering high-quality distance learning courses. More than 36,000 students have successfully graduated with a University of Leicester qualification studied through distance learning.
• This course is based on leading museum studies research and practice. It has been designed by experts in the field, who have been involved in expanding the academic discipline of museum studies over many years.
• You can take advantage of our network of 20 associate tutors who are all museum professionals working in the sector.

Teaching and learning

You will be supported by a dedicated team of academic and personal tutors as well as support staff. You will be allocated a personal tutor who can advise you on a range of issues and support you. In addition, for each module, you will be allocated a module tutor who is a specialist in that particular field. Your module tutor will support you with academic enquiries relating to that module as well as feedback to you on essay plans, marking your assignments and providing you with detailed feedback.

Our flexible learning course has been designed with different learning styles and access requirements in mind. The flexibility in accessing the material through different formats anticipates a diverse student body and offers choice in how you are taught and assessed.

Time is built into the structure of the course for the completion of assignments, wider reading on areas of particular interest to the student, and self-directed study visits and tutorials, which are commented on by tutors are prompted at various points.

During the summer, you are invited to join the optional non-assessed Summer School Week, offering a programme of live, online or face-to-face teaching, discussions, group activities and virtual study visits.

If you are completing a dissertation you will receive four supervisions with your allocated tutor, with support offered between supervisions as and when needed.

There are one or two pieces of assessed coursework for each of the core modules. Together, these form a carefully designed, broad range of assignments including essays, project work, reports, briefs and evaluations as well as practical exercises. Your module tutor will provide you with detailed feedback on each assignment you submit.

Core modules

• The Museum and Change
• Designing for Creative Lives
• Objects and Collections: Care, Management and Curation
• Engaging Audiences

Option modules

Choose four option modules from:

• Lifelong Learning
• Museums and the Natural Environment
• Heritage
• Digital
• Museums and Contemporary Issues
• Practice
• Plus your Research project

If your Research project concerns a science collection or museum, or if the nature of your investigation is 'scientific', you can receive a Master of Science (MSc) degree instead of a Master of Arts (MA) degree.

The modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Our graduates are employed in some of the largest and most prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, in addition to some smaller specialist and local institutions. They include:

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
• British Natural History Museum
• Chatsworth House
• Christie's
• Greek Ministry of Culture
• Greenwich Maritime Museum
• Imperial War Museum
• National Galleries of Scotland
• National Museum Ireland
• National Trust
• Rollo Contemporary Art Gallery
• Royal Armouries
• Science Museum
• Guggenheim Museum
• The British Museum
• Victoria & Albert Museum
• York Castle Museum